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[14] Usaamah Bin Zayd: Exemplifying Positive Engagement and Effective Communication With The Rulers

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Brotherhood, Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Sahaabah, Salaf As Saalih (Pious Predecessors), Scholars of Islam, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Shaqeeq [may Allah have mercy upon him] reported that it was said to Usamah Bin Zayd [may Allah be pleased with him], “Why don’t you visit Uthman [may Allah be pleased with him] and speak to him?” So, he said, “Do you think that I have not spoken to him except if I make you hear (about it)? By Allah! I have spoken to him (about affairs) concerning me and him, and I did not like to divulge those things about which I had to take the initiative and I do not say to my ruler, ‘You are the best among people’ after I heard Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] saying, ‘A man will be brought on the Day of Resurrection and thrown in Hell-Fire and his intestines will pour forth in Hell and he will go round along with them, as an ass goes round the mill stone. The inhabitants of Hell would gather round him and say, ‘O, so and so! What has happened to you? Were you not enjoining us to do what was good and forbidding us to do what was evil? He will say, ‘Of course, it is so; I used to enjoin (upon people) to do what was good but did not practice that myself. I had been forbidding people to do what was evil, but did it myself”. [1]

Waa’il [may Allah have mercy upon him] reported that it was said to Usamah Bin Zayd [may Allah be pleased with him], “Will you go to so-and-so [i.e. Uthman – may Allah be pleased with him] and speak to him (i.e. advise him regarding rulership of the country)?” He said, “You see that I don’t speak to him. I speak to (advise) him secretly without opening a door because neither do I want to be the first to open it nor will I say to a man who is my ruler that he is the best of all the people after I have heard something from Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] said”. They said, “What have you heard him saying?” He said, “I have heard him saying, “A man will be brought on the Day of Resurrection and thrown in the (Hell) Fire, so that his intestines will come out, and he will go around like a donkey goes around a millstone. The people of (Hell) Fire will gather around him and say, ‘O so-and-so! What is wrong with you? Didn’t you use to order us to do good deeds and forbid us to do bad deeds?’ He will reply, ‘Yes, I used to order you to do good deeds, but I did not do them myself, and I used to forbid you to do bad deeds, yet I used to do them myself'” [2] [Footnote a]

Regarding the statement: “I speak to (advise) him secretly without opening a door “. Al-Aynee [may Allah have mercy upon him] said: Meaning, without opening one of the doors of temptation. I speak to him to pursue a Maslahah [aiming to bring about positive outcomes and deter negative or evil ones] and not to incite temptations, as openly disapproving of the rulers can be perceived as a form of rebellion, carrying insults that lead to division and schism within the unified body of Muslims under the authority of the ruler. [3] Al-Qaadhi Iyaadh [may Allah have mercy upon him] said: Meaning, “I do not wish to be the first to open this door”, which is expressing open disapproval and directing it toward the rulers, and its evil consequences, as was the case when they openly disapproved of Uthman [may Allah be pleased with him] which led to the shedding of his blood and the subsequent turmoil that ensued”. [4]

Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadee al-Mad’khali [may Allah preserve him] said: Uthman [may Allah be pleased with him] was one of those who restrained the people from bloodshed the most as well as that of the people who violated his honour. Shaikh Al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah [may Allah have mercy upon him] said, “What is well known through successive numerous narrations is that Uthman [may Allah be pleased with him] was one of those who restrained the people from bloodshed the most, exercised patience the most regarding the affair of those who violated his honour and those who made a determined attempt to shed his blood, so they besieged him and endeavoured to kill him, and he knew their desire to kill him. The Muslims came to him from every place to help him and indicated to him to fight the besiegers, but he commanded them to refrain from fighting and commanded those who obeyed him not to fight. He said to his slaves, ‘Whoever restrains his hand is freed’. It was said to him, ‘Will you go to Makkah?’ He said, ‘I will not be amongst those who commit evil in the sacred house’. Then it was said to him, ‘Will you not go to Syria?’ He said, ‘I will not leave my place of Hijrah (i.e. Madeenah)’. Then it was said to him, ‘Fight them’, he said, ‘I will not be the first in the Ummah of Muhammad [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] to unleash the sword after the departure of Muhammad’. Uthmaan’s patience until he was murdered is one of his greatest virtues in the sight of Muslims”. [5]

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim [may Allah have mercy upon him] said, “Upon realising that he would face death based on his observations of the events and signs, Uthman [may Allah be pleased with him] chose not to engage in fighting or self-defence to prevent conflict among the Muslims. He preferred to be killed rather than (initiating) fighting between Muslims”. [6]

Footnote a: “A man will be brought on the Day of Resurrection and thrown in the (Hell) Fire, so that his intestines will come out, and he will go around like a donkey goes around a millstone. The people of (Hell) Fire will gather around him and say, ‘O so-and-so! What is wrong with you? Didn’t you use to order us to do good deeds and forbid us to do bad deeds?’ He will reply, ‘Yes, I used to order you to do good deeds, but I did not do them myself, and I used to forbid you to do bad deeds, yet I used to do them myself'”. [Saheeh Al-Bukhari 3267] Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadi al-Mad’khali [may Allah preserve him] said, “Indeed, there may be someone worse than this man because he [i.e. the one worse than the man mentioned in this Hadeeth] enjoins evil and forbids good, so what will be his state of affairs, and Allah’s Refuge is sought?!” [7]

To be continued…InShaaAllah

[1] Saheeh Muslim 2989

[2] Saheeh Al-Bukhari 3267

[3] Umdah Al-Qaaree Sharh Saheeh Al-Bukhaari. 15/166

[4] Ik’maal Al-Mu’allim Bi-Fawaa’id Muslim 8/538]

[5] An Excerpt from Al-Mukhtaaraat Al-Bahiyyah Min Kutub Shaikhil Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah. Page 296. Slightly paraphrased

[6] الطُّرُقُ الْحُكميَّة- page 30

[7] Marhaban Yaa Taalibal Ilm. Pages 270-271

[20] A Brief Look at Pseudo Researchers in Salafiyyah: [Examination of a Fabricated Quietist Faction Within Salafiyyah Called Mad’khalism]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Bid'ah (Innovation), Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Refutations, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Imaam Abdur-Rahmaan Bin Naasir As-Sadi [may Allah have mercy upon him] said, “It is well known that Allah does not love ignorance, doubts, confusion, or misguidance; rather, He loves the religion He has ordained, knowledge, and certainty. Indeed, we have been commanded to ask Allah [The Exalted] to guide us to the straight path, which entails knowledge of the truth and acting on it, and the Qur’an is the cure, guidance, and light. The Muslims agree that doubt and confusion are unpraiseworthy, and it is expected – absolutely- that a person who does not possess knowledge of something is obligated to keep quiet and seek knowledge via its (sound) sources”. [(1)]

The ignoramuses stated: “The polemics of the Madkhalists are markedly different from other Salafist groups as well. A noted feature of Madkhalism during Muslim dogmatic exchanges is clarifying the opponent sect instead of only discourse regarding the topic of discussion”. [End of quote]

Response: First of all, as we have already mentioned, there is no such thing as a Madkhalist group within Salafiyyah, not to mention the presence of other Salafi groups within Salafiyyah.

Read: http://www.salafis.com/index.cfm

https://abukhadeejah.com/a-response-to-western-academics-who-categorise-salafis-into-quietists-politicos-and-jihadists-and-why-this-is-a-false-categorisation/

Second, Salafi Scholars, including Al Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadi Al-Mad’khali, do not write or speak to contradict others for personal motives; rather, their writings and speeches are intended to establish truth and refute falsehood, so that no one stands in the way of truth. Ibn Aqeel [may Allah have mercy upon him] said, “If the truthful ones remained silent and the falsifiers spoke, the creation (humankind and Jinn) would abandon what they have witnessed (of truth) and reject what they have not witnessed. As a result, when the devout desire to revive the Sunnah, the people reject it and think that it is bidah”. [(2)]

Third, the ignoramuses stated that a noted feature of Madkhalism (i.e. so-called Mad’khalism) during Muslim dogmatic exchanges is clarifying the opponent sect instead of only discourse regarding the topic of discussion! Indeed, this statement demonstrates the cretins’ incompetence once more, because the discussion of sects and parties is always centered on refuting false beliefs and methodologies, as well as identifying specific characteristics of the deviant sects. The fact that in such discussions, not only are the topics discussed, but also sometimes the sect itself and how to deal with it, is found in the Prophet’s [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] statement, “ “The Qadariyyah are the Magians of this community. If they are ill, do not pay a sick visit to them, and if they die, do not attend their funerals”. [(3)] [See Footnote a] Also Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] said, “The thing I fear most for my Ummah are the leaders of misguidance”. [(4)]

Imaam Al-Barbahaaree [may Allah have mercy upon him] said: “Imaam Barbahaaree [may Allah have mercy upon him] said, “Know that leaving the correct path occurs in two ways. Firstly, a man strays from the correct path intending nothing but good, so his error is not to be followed since it leads to destruction. Secondly, a man who deliberately opposes the truth and acts contrary to the Pious ones who came before him, he is astray, leading others astray, a rebellious devil within the Ummah. It is a duty upon those who know of him to warn the people against him and to explain his condition to them so that no one falls into his innovation and is destroyed”. Continue reading below:

Leaving The Correct Path Occurs In Two Ways

The situation is as apparent as the midday sun, yet owing to ignorance, the these pseudo researchers at Wikipedia have rushed to blame the so-called Mad’khalists that “a noted feature of Madkhalism during Muslim dogmatic exchanges is clarifying the opponent sect instead of only discourse regarding the topic of discussion”, despite the fact that the  cited Prophetic narrations demonstrate that wrong beliefs, the deviant sects, and their leaders must be identified and refuted.

Footnote a: The Splitting of the Muslim Ummah: Part 1 – The Completion and Perfection of the Religion and The Way of the Companions:

https://www.aqidah.com/creed/articles/oeotc-glimpses-into-the-splitting-of-the-muslim-ummah-part-1.cfm

To be continued…InShaaAllah

[(1)]: An Excerpt from Al-Adillatul Qawaatiq Wal-baraaheen Fee Ibtaali Usoolil Mulhideen. Page 15. slightly paraphrased

[(2)]: Shifaa As-Sudoor Fee Ziyaaratil Mashaahid Wal-Quboor. Page 148

[(3)]: Saheeh Sunan Abu Dawud 4691

[(4)]: Tirmidhee 2229

 

[13] Imaam Ahmad: Exemplifying Positive Engagement and Effective Communication with the Rulers

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Salaf As Saalih (Pious Predecessors), Scholars of Islam, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal [may Allah have mercy upon him] said: “I hold that the leader of the believers is to be obeyed (in good) in private and public, in my times of hardship and ease, in my times of enthusiasm and when I dislike doing something (i.e. something that’s not unlawful, but one does not like to do it), and when others are given precedence over me. Indeed, I supplicate to Allah – night and day – for him to be successful and guided”.

Al-Bidaayah Wan-Nihaayah 14/413

[12] Ubaydullah Bin Adi Bin Al-Khiyar: Exemplifying Positive Engagement and Effective Communication with the Rulers

Written by Amjad Khan on . Posted in Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Salaf As Saalih (Pious Predecessors), Scholars of Islam, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Ubaydullah Bin Adi Bin Al-Khiyar narrated that Al-Miswar Bin Makhrama and Abdur-Rahman Bin Al-Aswad Bin Abu Yaghuth said (to me), “What prevents you from speaking to Uthman about his brother Al-Walid because people have spoken much about him?” So, I went to Uthman and when he went out for prayer I said (to him), “I have something to say to you and it is a piece of advice for you”. Uthman said, “O man, from you.” (Umar said: I see that he said, “I seek Refuge with Allah from you.”) So I left him and went to them. Then the messenger of Uthman came and I went to him (i.e. `Uthman), `Uthman asked, “What is your advice?” I replied, “Allah sent Muhammad with the truth and revealed the Divine Book (i.e. Qur’an) to him, and you were amongst those who followed Allah and His Messenger, and you participated in the two migrations (to Ethiopia and Medina) and enjoyed the company of Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) and saw his way. No doubt, the people are talking much about Al-Walid.” `Uthman said, “Did you receive your knowledge directly from Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) ?” I said, “No, but his knowledge did reach me and it reached (even) to a virgin in her seclusion.” Uthman said, “And then Allah sent Muhammad with the truth and I was amongst those who followed Allah and His Messenger and I believed in whatever he (i.e. the Prophet) was sent with, and participated in two migrations, as you have said, and I enjoyed the company of Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) and gave the pledge of allegiance him. By Allah! I never disobeyed him, nor did I cheat him till Allah took him unto Him. Then I treated Abu Bakr and then Umar similarly and then I was made Caliph. So, don’t I have rights similar to theirs?” I said, “Yes.” He said, “Then what are these talks reaching me from you people? Now, concerning what you mentioned about the question of Al-Walid, Allah willing, I shall deal with him according to what is right.” Then he called Ali and ordered him to flog him, and Ali flogged him (i.e. Al-Walid) eighty lashes. [Sahih Al-Bukhari. 3696]

[11] Ibn As-Sammaak: Exemplifying Positive Engagement and Effective Communication with the Rulers

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Brotherhood, History of Islam, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Salaf As Saalih (Pious Predecessors), The Salaf - Pious Predecessors.

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

One day Ibn As-Sammaak [may Allah have mercy upon him] came when Haaroon Ar-Rasheed [may Allah have mercy upon him] asked for water. After a cup of cold water was brought, he said to Ibn As-Sammaak, “Admonish me”. Ibn As-Sammaak said to him, “O leader of the believers! How much would you pay for this drink if you were deprived of it?” He replied, “Half of my reign”. Ibn As-Sammaak said to him, “Drink, may it be blessed”. After he drank, Ibn Sammaak said to him, “If this water was prevented from exiting your body, then how much would you pay for it (to be removed)”, he said, “The other half of my reign”. Ibn Sammaak said to him, “Indeed, half of the reign is the value of a little drink of water and the value of the other half is that of urine. It is befitting that you do not strive and compete with others for it”. Haaroon wept.

An Excerpt from Al-Bidaayah Wan-Nihaayah. 10/213-217

[9] Haaroon Ar-Rasheed Meets BahlooI: Exemplifying Positive Engagement and Effective Communication with the Rulers

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in History of Islam, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors.

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

Haaroon Ar-Rasheed [may Allah have mercy upon him] set out for Hajj and saw Bahlool [may Allah have mercy upon him] – the insane – in the middle of the town running, whilst the children were behind him; so Haaroon said, “Who is this?” They said, “It is Bahlool the insane one”. He said, “I wanted to see him, so call him without intimidating him”. They said to Bahlool, “Respond to the leader of the believers”. Haaroon said to him, “O Bahlool! Peace be upon you”, he replied, “O leader of the believers! Peace be upon you”. Haaroon said, “I desired very much for a long time to meet you”, he replied, “But I did not have that desire to meet you”. Haaroon said, “O Bahlool! Give me an admonition”, he said, “With what should I admonish you whilst these are your castles and graves”. Haaroon said, “Increase your admonition because indeed you have spoken well”. He said, “O leader of the believers! The one upon whom Allah has bestowed wealth and beauty, so he becomes chaste in his beauty and charitable with his wealth, he will be written in the register of the righteous”. Haaroon thought that Bahlool wanted something and said to him, “We have ordered that your debt is paid”. He said, “O leader of the believers! No, do not pay a debt with another debt, rather fulfill the rights of the people and eliminate your own debt from yourself”. Haaroon said, “We have been commanded to reward you”. He said, “O leader of the believers! Do you think that Allah has given you and forgotten me?!” Then he ran away.

[An Excerpt from ‘Uqalaa Al-Majaaneen’. Page 36]

[5] Khalid Bin Safwaan: Exemplifying Positive Engagement and Effective Communication with the Rulers

Written by faizkara on . Posted in Brotherhood, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Umar Bin Abdil Azeez [may Allah have mercy upon him] said to Khalid Bin Safwan [may Allah have mercy upon him], “Admonish me”. Khalid said, “O leader of the believers! There are a people who have been deluded by Allah’s concealment of (their sins, flaws, etc.), and the good praise (received) has put them to trial; thus, do not allow the ignorance of others (about your reality) to override what you know about yourself. May Allah protect us and you from being misled by Allah’s concealment of (our sins, flaws, etc), and from being pleased with the praise (received), falling short and neglecting that which Allah has obligated to us, and inclining towards (vain) desires.” He (Umar) wept and stated, “May Allah protect us and you from following (vain) desires”.

[Tahdheeb Al-Hilyah 2/485]

Imam Ibn Baz on the Manhaj of Correcting the Rulers

https://www.salafipublications.com/sps/sp.cfm?subsecID=MNJ16&articleID=MNJ160003&articlePages=1#:~:text=The%20followed%20path%20with%20the,is%20directed%20towards%20the%20good.

Is the Tyranny of the Rulers a Reason for Rebellion? The Duty of a Muslim Towards the Muslim Leaders in Light of the Qur’ān, Sunnah, and the Scholars of the Salaf.

https://abukhadeejah.com/the-tyranny-of-the-rulers-a-reason-for-rebellion/

To be continued InShaaAllah

 

[4] Muhammad Bin Kab, Rajaa Bin Haywah and Saalim Bin Abdillah: Exemplifying Positive Engagement and Effective Communication with the Rulers

Written by Amjad Khan on . Posted in Brotherhood, Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Salaf As Saalih (Pious Predecessors), Scholars of Islam, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Sufyan Bin Uyaynah [may Allah have mercy upon him] said, “Upon assuming the position of Khaleefah, Umar Bin Abdil Azeez [may Allah have mercy upon him] reached out to Muhammad Bin Kab, Rajaa Bin Haywah, and Saalim Bin Abdillah [may Allah have mercy upon them] and said, “You witness the trial I face and it has fallen upon me, therefore, what do you advise?” Muhammad Bin Kab said, “Regard the elderly as your own father, treat the youth as your brother, and care for the young ones as your own children; therefore, be good to your father, maintain strong bonds with your brother, and be compassionate towards your child”. Rajaa said, “Wish for the people what you wish for yourself, detest for them what you detest for yourself, and interact with them in a manner that you would appreciate in return.” Saalim said, “Focus on one matter by diminishing the desires of worldly life and let your natural inclination lead you to contemplate death.” Umar proclaimed, “Laa Hawla Walaa Quwwata Illaa Billaah”.

An Excerpt from Al-Bidaayah Wan-Nihaayah. Vol 9. Pages 193-202. Publisher: Maktabah Al-Ma’aarif and Daar ibn Hazm. 9th Edition. 1414 AH (1994)

Imam Ibn Baz on the Manhaj of Correcting the Rulers

https://www.salafipublications.com/sps/sp.cfm?subsecID=MNJ16&articleID=MNJ160003&articlePages=1#:~:text=The%20followed%20path%20with%20the,is%20directed%20towards%20the%20good.

Is the Tyranny of the Rulers a Reason for Rebellion? The Duty of a Muslim Towards the Muslim Leaders in Light of the Qur’ān, Sunnah, and the Scholars of the Salaf.
https://abukhadeejah.com/the-tyranny-of-the-rulers-a-reason-for-rebellion/

To be continued InShaaAllah

[2] Imam Al-Awzaa’ee: Exemplifying Positive Engagement and Effective Communication with the Rulers

Written by Amjad Khan on . Posted in Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Salaf As Saalih (Pious Predecessors), Scholars of Islam, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

In another letter written to the governor Abu Abaydillah, Imam Al-Awzaa’ee [may Allah have mercy upon him] stated: To proceed: May Allah portion out for you protection against His displeasure and the state in which you are, and (protect) you in the intention you make to fulfil the right of one you are obliged to fulfil in that which you find a way for him- asking for relief on his behalf if he asks for help, and you are his hope (for this assistance) by the Permission of Allah (i.e. regarding that which Allah has placed within your ability by His Will).

Indeed, those people have not ceased asking for my intercession for them through you. I would not be able to give you advice on the day (of Judgement) when the punishment is meted out and the reckoning is witnessed; neither consider (good) deeds to be abundant nor consider a sin to be insignificant; so may Allah inspire you to remember Him and seek a means of approach to him by doing good deeds. Indeed, Yazid Bin Yahya Al-Khushani is in the custody of the “Al-Ameerul Mumineen” [The Leader of the believers (The khalifah)]- may Allah rectify him. He was one of Ibn Al-Azraq’s helpers, and I have not heard anything bad about him. He was accused and has stayed in there (i.e. prison) for a long time. If you consider (it to be something worthwhile, just, obligatory, etc)- may Allah have mercy on you- that there should be a letter from Mahdi to “The leader of the believers” – may Allah rectify him- mentioning his affair (i.e. Yazid) regarding that which we hope will save him from the situation he is in due to the harmful (effects) of imprisonment, then do so. May Allah help you to do good and make that to be the case with most of the affairs, and their (good effects) on you. Was-Salaamu alayka Warahmatullaah.

An Excerpt from “Muqaddimah Al-Jarh Wat-Tadeel” By Ibn Abee Haatim Ar-Raazee (rahimahullaah) 2/89-90

To be continued…InShaaAllah

[1] Imam Al-Awzaa’ee: Exemplifying Positive Engagement and Effective Communication with the Rulers

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Salaf As Saalih (Pious Predecessors), Scholars of Islam, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Imaam Al-Awzaa’ee [may Allah have mercy upon] wrote to Abu Abaydillaah – a governor of the khalifah- as follows: “I ask Allah [The Mighty and Exalted] to neither deprive you of sound intellect nor religion; make the best for you in what you are in- safeguard what you are acquainted with (i.e. upright deeds) and (safeguard you against) what you hate (i.e. the unpraiseworthy affairs) before being afflicted. And that Allah does not make you unaware of Him due to the fitna of covetousness or excessive work, bless you with recalling the little enjoyment in this world, bring to your attention the close approach of separation from it, makes your time within it influential (in a good way) and shows you compassion when it is taken away from you. Indeed, you are a person about whom I love to obligate myself to mention to him what Allah may bring about of good for him. So, I hope to advise you in private, love that your religious affairs are protected and evil is averted from you by the will of Allah. Idrees – the one who wrote to you – asked if you were able – may Allah have mercy upon you – to….” Then the Imam mentioned the request and finally supplicated for the governor”.

An Excerpt from “Muqaddimah Al-Jarh Wat-Tadeel” By Ibn Abee Haatim Ar-Raazee (rahimahullaah) 2/87-88