Carefully and diligently paid attention to themselves

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Imam Fudayl Ibn Iyaad, may Allah have mercy upon him, said, “If you are able not to be known, do so. Is there anything against you if you are unknown? Is there anything against you if you are not praised? Is there anything against you if you are considered blameworthy in the sight of the people but praiseworthy in the sight of Allah, The Mighty and Majestic?” (1)

Imam Ibrahim An-Nakha’ee, may Allah have mercy upon him, said, “It is enough a trial that a person is pointed out due to his religious or worldly affairs, except the one whom Allah protects”. (2)

Al-A’mash, may Allah have mercy upon him, said, “We tried very hard to get Ibrahim An-Nakha’ee, may Allah have mercy upon him, to sit at a place where people can listen to him and we wanted him do do so, but he refused”. (3)

Imam Malik, may Allah have mercy upon him, said, “I used to approach Nafi, may Allah have mercy upon him, the freed slave of Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with him and his father, whilst I was a young boy. He would approach and speak to me. He sat in the Masjid after the morning prayer, hardly anyone would come to him. When the sun rose, he exited. He used to wear a cloak and not speaking to anyone. I used to see him after the morning wrapped in a black cloak”. (4)

Khalaf Bin Tameem, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: I saw Ath-Thawree, may Allah have mercy upon him, at Makkah and many people came to him, so he said, “To Allah do we belong! I fear that Allah has made this Ummah to be lost when the people are in need of the likes of me”. (5)

Imam Ibn Al-Jawzi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: Some of them rejoice due to abundance of followers, and Iblees deceives him that this joy is because of the large number of students of knowledge, but what is intended is the large number of companions and being constantly mentioned, and from that is being amazed by their statements and knowledge. This deception is revealed when some of them (followers) abandon him for someone else who is more knowledgeable him, thus, this becomes difficult for him. This is not the characteristic of the sincere one in teaching because the likeness of the sincere (teacher) is like doctors who treat the sick for the sake of Allah. If some of the patients are cured by a doctor amongst them, the other rejoices. We mentioned earlier the narration of Ibn Abi Laylah, may Allah have mercy upon him,– and we repeat it again with another chain of transmission – who said, “I have met a hundred and twenty companions of the Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] amongst the Ansar and not a single man amongst them was asked about a hadeeth, except he wished that his brother would suffice him in (answering)”. (6)

He Has Knowledge But Wants to Remain Unknown, Anonymous or Hidden!

[1] Hilyatul Awliyaa 8/89

[2] Taareekh Dimashq 18/33

[3] Siyar 4/529

[4] Siyar 5/98

[5] Siyar 7/275

[6] Talbees Iblees 159-160