[6] What Conduct Is Truly Befitting Among The Carriers of Knowledge And Learners

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Claiming What One Has Not Done—We Must Ask Allah to Protect Us From This Hidden Disease, Especially in Times of Fitna

Husayn Bin Abdir Rahman narrated: I was with Sa’eed Bin Jubair when he said, “Who amongst you saw a shooting star last night?” I said, “I did”. Then I said, “I was not in prayer, but was stung by a scorpion”. He said, “Then what did you do?” I said, “I performed Ruqyah…” [1]

Question: Why did Husayn Bin Abdir Rahman mention that he was not in prayer after informing Sa’eed Bin Jubayr that he saw the shooting star last night?!

Answer:

Imam Sa’di, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

“This is because the pious predecessors were far removed from praising a person for something he does not possess”. [2]

Imam Muhammad Ibn Salih Al-Uthaymin, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

He (Husayn) made this statement to prevent people from thinking that he was engaged in prayer, thus he is praised for what he did not do. This is the opposite of what some people do, as they rejoice when others think they were praying. This behaviour reflects a deficiency in one’s Tawhid. Husayn’s statement is not viewed as showing off, but rather as a virtuous deed. It is not comparable to someone who avoids acts of obedience due to the fear of showing off, as Shaytan manipulates them and convinces them to abandon good deeds due to fear of showing off. Instead, one should perform acts of obedience, but nothing should be in your heart that you desire to be seen by people. [3]

Al-Allamah Salih Aala Ash-Shaikh, may Allah preserve him, said:

He (Husayn) uttered these words due to his fear that those who were present may assume that he saw the shooting star during his prayer. Thus, he disclaimed any association with it. This highlights the virtue of pious predecessors, their eagerness for sincerity, distance from ostentation, and adorning oneself with something not possessed”. [4]

[1] Saheeh Muslim 220

[2] An Excerpt from “Al-Qawlus Sadeed Sharh Kitaab At-Tawheed”. page 77

[3] An Excerpt from “Al-Qawlul Mufeed Alaa Kitaab At-Tawheed”. 1/97

[4] An Excerpt from “Al-Qawl Al-Mufeed Alaa Kitaab At-Tawheed”. 1/162