الحمد لله رب العالمين، والصلاة والسلام على أشرف الأنبياء والمرسلين، نبينا محمد وعلى آله وصحبه أجمعين أما بعد
Indeed the religion of Islaam enjoins fine mannerism and good conduct; and from such conduct is to speak with that which is good, and to abstain from ill-speech. Allaah, The Most High, said:
وَقُولُوا لِلنَّاسِ حُسْنًا
((And speak good to people)) (Al-Baqarah: 83)
He, The Mighty and Majestic, said likewise:
وَقُل لِّعِبَادِي يَقُولُوا الَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ ۚ إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ يَنزَغُ بَيْنَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ كَانَ لِلْإِنسَانِ عَدُوًّا مُّبِينًا
((And say to My servants that they should say that which is best. Indeed, Satan provokes strife between them. Verily; Satan is to man a clear enemy.)) (Al-Israa: 53)
The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said:
الكَلِمَةُ الطَّيِّبَةُ صَدَقَةٌ
((The good word is charity.))[1]
Shaikh Muhammad bin Saalih al-‘Uthaimeen (rahimahullaah) mentioned: “Charity is not exclusive to wealth, rather everything that draws one close to Allaah is charity in the general sense, because carrying it is a proof of the truthfulness of its adherent in seeking the pleasures of Allaah, The Mighty and Majestic.”[2]
From such good words and virtuous statements a person can make, are those words and statements that have a profound effect upon the one they are meant for, and as such, a few simple words become a reason for achieving a great deal of good. Shaikh ‘Uthaimeen (rahimahullaah) said: “The good word in reality opens the heart and becomes a reason for an abundance of good.”[3]
The following accounts draw attention to how such words and statements of this nature have opened the hearts of those that came before us – from the great scholars of Islaam, and were a reason for a great deal of good.
Imaam ash-Shaafi’ee – and an Incident that Spurred One of the Great Scholars of Islaam
From Mus’ab bin ‘Abdillaah az-Zubairi who said: Ash-Shaafi’ee[4] (rahimahullaah) in the beginning of his affair would seek out poetry and the days of the Arabs (history) and literature (of culture of mind), thereafter he took to Fiqh.
The reason for his taking to it was due to his marching along one day upon a riding beast of his, and behind him was a writer for my father, so he made a quotation with a line of poetry, and so my father’s writer tapped him with his riding whip and then said to him: “The like of you goes about with his virtuous mannerism in the like of this? Where are you with regard to Fiqh?”
So that shook him, and thus he betook to sitting with Az-Zanji Muslim bin Khaalid – and he was the Mufti of Makkah, then he came to us (in Al-Madeenah) and so he adhered to Maalik bin Anas (Imaam Maalik).[5]
‘Abdullaah bin Wahb – the Companion of Imaam Maalik Who Received Simple Words of Advice
Ibn ‘Abdil Barr (rahimahullaah) said: ‘Abdullaah bin Wahb[6] said: “My initial affair was in worship before that of seeking knowledge. So Satan effectuated with me an eager enthusiasm in regard to ‘Eesaa bin Maryam (‘alaihis salaam) as to how Allaah, The Most High, created him, and the like of this. So I complained of that to a Shaikh, so he said to me:
‘Ibn Wahb.’
I said: ‘Yes.’
He said: ‘Seek knowledge.’
So that was the reason for my seeking knowledge.”[7]
Imaam al-Bukhaaree – and His Most Well-Known Work
Imaam al-Bukhaaree (rahimahullaah) mentioned how on an occasion when he along with others were studying with their teacher Ishaaq bin Raahawaih, and so his teacher made a statement that had a deep effect with Imaam al-Bukhaaree,[8] he (rahimahullaah) said:
“We were with Ishaaq bin Raahawaih, so he said: ‘were you to compile a concise book of the authentic Sunnah of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam).” He said: “So that came to settle in my heart, and so I took to gathering the Jaami as-Saheeh.”[9]
Al-Qaffaal Al-Marwazi – The Locksmith Turned Faqeeh
Yaqoot al-Hamawee (rahimahullaah) said: “Some of the Fuqahaa of Marw narrated to me at Finnin[10] – from its villages that Al-Qaffaal ash-Shaashi[11] produced a lock and key the weight of which was a single daaniq (that of two carob-grains), so the people became greatly amazed by it, and his mention became circulated and his news reached this Al-Qaffaal.[12] So he produced a lock together with its key, and its weight was a tusooj (a quarter of a daaniq), and he showed it to the people and so they admired it, yet no mention of him came to be spread.
So one day he said to some of those that he was acquainted with: ‘Do you not see that everything is in need of good fortune? Ash-Shaashi produced a lock the weight of which was a daaniq and it resounded throughout the lands, and I myself produced a lock one fourth its scale (i.e of lighter weight) – no one mentioned me!’ So someone said to him: ‘Reputation is only by way of knowledge – not by way of locks.’
So he aspired to knowledge and became occupied with it, and his age had reached forty years, and so he came to a Shaikh from the people of Marw and made him aware of his desire in that which he aspired to.
So he strove hard and adhered to the occupation until there came to be from him that which was to come, and so he lived for eighty years; forty years as an unenlightened person and forty as a scholar.”[13]
Ibn Hazm – The Great Spanish Scholar and an Incident that Took Place Earlier in his Life
Imaam adh-Dhahabee mentioned; Abu Muhammad ‘Abdillaah bin Muhammad bin al-‘Arabi said: Ibn Hazm[14] informed me of the reason for his learning Fiqh was that on an occasion he witnessed a janaazah, so he entered the Masjid and sat down and he did not pray, so a man said to him: “get up and pray the Tahiyyatul Masjid (two rak’ah prayer upon entering the Masjid)” and (at this time) he was twenty six years of age.
He (Ibn Hazm) said: “so I stood up and prayed, then when we returned from the janaazah, I came to the Masjid, and so I proceeded upon (praying) the Tahiyyah, so he said to me: ‘sit down, this is not a time for prayer.’ Meaning; after ‘Asr. So I left in a state of sadness, and I said to the teacher who had nurtured me in education: ‘direct me to the home of the Faqeeh Abee ‘Abdillaah bin Dahhoon.’ Thus I proceeded to him and informed him of that which had occurred with me, and so he directed me to (the book): Al-Muwatta, so I began reading it upon him, then my reading followed in succession upon him as well as other than him for three years.”[15]
Imaam Adh-Dhahabee – a Statement of Encouragement that Made Seeking Hadeeth Beloved to Him
When he was still young; Imaam Adh-Dhahabee[16] (rahimahullaah) was writing on an occasion, and his teacher Al-Haafidh al-Birzaali passed by him and observed his handwriting, and then uttered a statement to his student, Imaam Adh-Dhahabee said:
“He is the one who made beloved to me the seeking of hadeeth, for indeed he saw my handwriting and said: ‘your writing resembles the writing of the Muhadditheen (scholars of Hadeeth).’ So his statement produced an effect within me, and so I heard (took knowledge) from him and by way of him I was educated in many things.”[17]
In conclusion; it is clear to see that many of the statements in the accounts above were simple words of encouragement or advice that had far reaching effects. A good word costs nothing, yet the yield which those simple words can bring about can be immeasurable. This occurs when the tongue is utilized with its correct etiquette in order to bring about good and a positive outcome, as Ibn al-Qayyim (rahimahullaah) said:
“So the etiquette of the tongue is: its sweetness and its goodness as well as its gentleness, and gathering the fruits from it with simplicity and facility.”[18]
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[1] Reported by Al-Bukhaaree (no.2707) and Muslim (no.1009)
[2] Sharh Riyaadh us Saaliheen vol 3 p.35
[3] Al-Qawl al-Mufeed ‘alaa Kitaab at-Tawheed vol 2 p.88
[4] He was the great Imaam; Muhammad bin Idrees bin al-‘Abbaas – Abu ‘Abdillaah ash-Shaafi’ee al-Qurashee, he was born in Gaza – Palestine in the year 150H, he had memorized the Qur’aan by the age of seven, his father died whilst he was young and so he grew up as an orphan in the care of his mother. He undertook archery and as such excelled the contemporaries in it, then he turned to the Arabic language and poetry; and thus became proficient in that and became advanced, then Fiqh was made beloved to him; and so he surpassed the people of his time. He took knowledge from: Muslim bin Khaalid az-Zanji and Sufyaan bin ‘Uyainah and Maalik bin Anas and Wakee’ bin al-Jarraah and others. Those that took from him include: Al-Humaidee and Ahmad bin Hanbal and Ishaaq bin Raahawaih and a great many others. ‘Ali al-Madeeni (rahimahullaah) said: “Upon you are the books of Ash-Shaafi’ee.” Imaam Ahmad (rahimahullaah) said: “The companion of hadeeth cannot get enough of the books of Ash-Shaafi’ee.” His virtues are many and are well known; he died in the year 204H. (See: Siyar vol 10 p.5-99)
[5] Tabaqaat Al-Fuqahaa Ash-Shaafi’iyeen (Ibn Katheer) vol 1 p.74 and Manaaqib ash-Shaafi’ee (Al-Baihaqee) vol 1 p.96 and Majmu’ Sharh al-Muhadhab vol 1 p.24
[6] He was; ‘Abdullaah bin Wahb bin Muslim – Abu Muhammad Al-Fahree; the well known Faqeeh, he was born in Egypt in the year 125H. The scholars from whom he took knowledge include Maalik bin Anas and Sufyaan ath-Thawree and Sufyaan bin ‘Uyainah and Jareer bin Haazim al-Basree and Laith bin Sa’ad and many others. He accompanied Imaam Maalik for twenty years, Abu Ja’far bin al-Jazzaar said: “Ibn Wahb travelled to Maalik in the year one hundred and forty eight, and so he did not cease to be in his companionship until Maalik died.” ‘Abdullaah bin Wahb himself said: “I have heard from three hundred and seventy Shaikhs.” Those that took from him include: ‘Abdur-Rahmaan bin Mahdee and Yahya bin Yahya al-Laithee, and Sa’eed bin Abee Maryam and others. Imaam Ahmad (rahimahullaah) said of him: “A man who has intellect and religion and integrity in his body.” Adh-Dhahabee (rahimahullaah) said: “How can he not be from the oceans of knowledge when he has indeed joined to his knowledge the knowledge of Maalik and Al-Laith and Yahya bin Ayoob and ‘Amr bin al-Haarith and other than them?!” He died in the year 197H. (See: Siyar vol 9 p.223-234 and Wafayaat al-A’yaan vol 3 p.36)
[7] Siyar A’laam an-Nubalaa vol 9 p.224 Jaami Bayaan al-‘Ilm wa Fadlihi vol 1 p.26-27
[8] He was; Muhammad bin Isma’eel bin Ibraheem bin al-Mugheerah – Abu ‘Abdillaah al-Bukhaaree, he was born in Bukhara in present day Uzbekistan in the year 194H, his father died whilst he was young and so remained in the care of his mother. He began seeking knowledge from an early age in his own city, then he began travelling throughout the Muslim world in order to seek knowledge, he had an outstanding ability in memorization and could quote vast numbers of hadeeth from memory with precision. Muhammad bin Abee Haatim said: “I heard Al-Bukhaaree say a month before he passed away: ‘I have written from one thousand and eighty men, there is not from them except a companion of hadeeth.’” Abu Haatim ar-Raazi (rahimahullaah) said: “Muhammad bin Isma’eel is the most knowledgeable of those that entered ‘Iraq.” Al-Haakim (rahimahullaah) said: “Muhammad bin Isma’eel al-Bukhaaree is the Imaam of the people of hadeeth.” He authored many works, the best known of which is his Al-Jaami as-Saheeh – otherwise known as Saheeh al-Bukhaaree. He died in the year 256H. (See: Siyar: vol 12 p.391-471)
[9] Hadiy as-Saari p.9. Note: Al-Haafidh Ibn Hajr mentions that along with these words of encouragement from his Shaikh – Ishaaq bin Raahawaih, there were two further reasons why Imaam al-Bukhaaree compiled his famous work. These being that he saw that the books of hadeeth until this time contained ahaadeeth that were authentic and sound as well as weak, and so there was a need to compile a book that contained authentic ahaadeeth in which there would be no doubt as to its authenticity. The other reason was that Imaam al-Bukhaaree mentioned that he had seen a dream in which he saw the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam), and it was as though he was standing before him and in his (Al-Bukhaaree’s) hand was a fan which he was using to protect and thus ward off from him (i.e. rebuffing unwanted elements). So upon asking some of those who could interpret dream he was told: “You will ward off the lies from him.” So these were the reasons that motivated the Imaam to compile his work. Refer to: Hadiy as-Saari p.9.
[10] A village from the villages of Marw, it is situated from it at a distance of three farasakh. (Al-Ansaab vol 4 p.404) Note: a farsakh (pl. farasakh) is an Arab/Persian unit of distance equal to 3.4 miles, it is referred to in English as: Parasang or league.
[11] He was Abu Bakr Muhammad bin ‘Ali bin Isma’eel ash-Shaashi – known as al-Qaffaal al-Kabeer, he was also a locksmith and he was one of the great scholars of the Shaafi’ee madhab, he died in the year 365H.
[12] He was ‘Abdullaah bin Ahmad bin ‘Abdillaah – Abu Bakr well known as: Al-Qaffaal al-Marwazi and Al-Qaffaal as-Sagheer, his title of “Al-Qaffaal” was due to his profession of being a locksmith. He was born in the year 327H and worked as a locksmith, later in his life he began to seek knowledge and thus became a scholar of great repute. Al-Faqeeh Naasir al-‘Umree said: “There was no one in the time of Abu Bakr al-Qaffaal who had more understanding in Fiqh than him.”Al-Hamawee mentioned: “The exclusive one of his era in Fiqh and knowledge, he traveled to the people and authored, and his blessing became manifest and he is one of the pillars of the Shaafi’ee madhab. A group (of people) graduated under him and his knowledge became widespread throughout the distant lands.” He died in the year 417H. (See: Siyar vol 17 p.406-408 and Mu’jam al-Buldaan vol 5 p.116)
[13] Mu’jam al-Buldaan vol 5 p.116 – with slight abridgment.
[14] He was; ‘Ali bin Ahmad bin Sa’eed bin Hazm – Abu Muhammad al-Andalusee al-Qurtubee, the great scholar, he was born in Cordoba, Spain in the year 384H, he took knowledge from a number of scholars in his country, from them were: Yahya bin Mas’ood and Younus bin ‘Abdillaah and Ahmad bin Qaasim and others. Those that took knowledge from him include: his son Abu Raafi’ al-Fadl and Abu ‘Abdillaah al-Humaidee and others. He authored many fine works in a number of sciences and is considered to be from the most prominent scholars of Spain during Muslim rule, he died in the year 456H. (See: Siyar vol 18 p.184-212 and Wafayaat al-A’yaan vol 1 p.240)
[15] Tadhkirah al-Huffaadh vol 3 p.1150-1151 and Siyar A’laam an-Nubalaa vol 18 p.199
[16] He was; Muhammad bin Ahmad bin ‘Uthmaan – Abu ‘Abdillaah Shams ud Deen adh-Dhahabee ad-Dimashqee, the great Imaam and Muhaddith, he was born near Damascus in the year 673H, he memorized the Qur’aan from a young age and then endeavoured to seek knowledge, he took knowledge from a vast number of scholars and traveled to various regions in order to seek knowledge, the numbers of scholars that he sat with have been stated to be over one thousand three hundred, those from whom he sat with and took knowledge from include: Ibn Daqeeq al-‘Eed and Jamaal ud Deen al-Mizzee and Shaikh ul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah, ‘Alam ud Deen al-Birzaali and a great many others. He authored a great number of works and wrote extensively in the fields of hadeeth, history, biographies, and Jarh wa Ta’deel. Al-Haafidh Ibn Katheer (rahimahullaah) said of him: “The great Haafidh, the historian of Islaam and the Shaikh of the scholars of hadeeth.” He died in the year 748H and left behind a vast number of beneficial works. (See: Ad-Durar al-Kaaminah vol 3 p.336-338 Al-Bidaayah wan-Nihaayah vol 14 p.225 and Ta’reekh al-Islaam vol 1 p.11-46)
[17] Ad-Durar al-Kaaminah vol 3 p.238-239
[18] Madaarij as-Saalikeen vol 3 p.85
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