[4] Some Extraordinary Personalities of The First Three Generations

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

Imam Al-Awzaa’ee, may Allāh have mercy upon him

Imam Malik, may Allāh have mercy upon him, said, “Al-Awzaa’ee, may Allāh have mercy upon him, was an Imam who was taken as an example to be followed”.

Imam Sufyan Bin Uyaynah, may Allāh have mercy upon him, said, “Al-Awzaa’ee was an Imam of his era. He performed Hajj several times and entered Makkah. Sufyan Ath-Thawree, may Allāh have mercy upon him, grabbed the rope of his camel, Malik Bin Anas followed behind him and Ath-Thawree said, ‘Give the Shaikh a place to sit’ until he got him to sit at the Kabah and both of them took knowledge from him”.

Imam Malik and Imam Al-Awzaa’ee engaged in discussion several times at Madinah from Dhur prayer until Asr prayer; then from Asr prayer to Maghrib prayer. Al-Awzaa’ee overwhelmed him in the subject matter regarding military expeditions and Malik overwhelmed him in Fiqh or some issues of Fiqh.

Al-Awzaa’ee said, “Follow the footsteps of the pious predecessors even if the people reject you, and beware of the speech of men even if they beautify and make it look good, because the affair is very clear and you are on the straight path”.

He also said, “Exercise patience upon the Sunnah, stop where the pious predecessors stopped, say what they said, refrain from what they refrained from, and be sufficed with what sufficed them”.

He said, “Knowledge is that which has  been transmitted from the companions of Muhammad [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] and what did not come from them is not knowledge”.

Al-Waleed Bin Muslim said, “After performing the morning prayer, Al-Awzaa’ee sat and engaged in remembrance of Allah until sunrise, and he used to attribute this deed to the pious predecessors”.

He engaged in much worship, performed the prayer in an excellent manner, refrained from doubtful matters due to fear of Allah, devoted himself to piety and used to keep quiet for a long time. He used to say, “Whoever prolongs the night prayer, Allah will make easy for him the standing on the day of judgement”, and he based this speech of his on Allah’s statement:

وَمِنَ ٱلَّيۡلِ فَٱسۡجُدۡ لَهُ ۥ وَسَبِّحۡهُ لَيۡلاً۬ طَوِيلاً

إِنَّ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ يُحِبُّونَ ٱلۡعَاجِلَةَ وَيَذَرُونَ وَرَآءَهُمۡ يَوۡمً۬ا ثَقِيلاً۬

And during night, prostrate yourself to Him (i.e. the offering of Maghrib and ‘Isha’ prayers), and glorify Him a long night through (i.e. Tahajjud prayer). Verily! These (disbelievers) love the present life of this world, and put behind them a heavy Day (that will be hard). [Al-Insaan. 26-27]

Al-Waleed Bin Muslim, may Allāh have mercy upon him, said, “I have not seen anyone who exerts himself in worship more than Al-Awzaa’ee”.

Many people have stated that once he performed hajj and did not sleep during his journey, rather he was engaged in prayer. And when he felt sleepy, he reclined on a saddle.

A woman once came to Al-Awzaa’ee’s wife and saw that his prayer mat was soaked and asked, “Perhaps a toddler urinated on it?”. His wife replied, “This is the effect of the Shaikh’s tears due to weeping in Sujud and this is what he does every day”.

He used to say, “The love for Ali and Uthman, may Allah be pleased with them, is not combined in a heart except that of a believer”. [End of quotes] [An Excerpt From Al-Bidaayah Wan-Nihaayah. 10/116-117]

Reflecting on these quotes from Al-Bidayah Wan-Nihayah and translating them to the best of my ability was truly enjoyable. I reflected upon the great status of these illustrious personalities, their humility, and their devotion to worship, which manifested to me the fact that there should be no time wasting in any competition other than emulating these amazing people. I had time to reflect upon the fact that while I ascribe myself to the path of the Salaf, I now – in my mid fifties – must constantly ask myself if I really understand who these amazing people were. Then I said to myself, from now on I will not allow anyone or any issues in our era to divert my attention from reading more about the lives of these personalities. Indeed, in the quiet corner of your house or even in the company of family and in-laws, one can read about these amazing people and ask Allah for guidance towards their path in Aqeedah, worship, methodology, and conduct. Indeed, true competition is to strive to emulate these illustrious people while seeking Allah’s protection from misguidance and everything that interferes with a person’s sincerity. May Allah grant all of us, in our moments of solitude and during gatherings, to emulate these amazing people Amin.