The Straight Path of the Individual

The Straight Path story of how two men once brought a case regarding some inherited property before the Prophet. Both claimed it as their rightful property, but neither had any concrete proof. The Prophet said, ‘You bring your cases to me; but I am only a human being and may give my verdict in favour of the one who impresses me with his greater eloquence. Just remember that if I were to give anyone his brother’s share, that share will prove to be a flame of fire on the day of judgement. Hearing this, they both wept and said, “Give my share to my brother! Give my share to my brother.” (Musnad Imam Ahmad) 5. Following the straight path creates such breadth of vision in an individual that he even looks upon his juniors as if they were his seniors. During his reign as the first Umayyad Caliph of a vast empire, Amir Muawiya once sent five hundred dinars to an Ansari (Madinan Muslim). The latter, taking this to be a trifling amount, asked his son to take the money, throw it at Muawiya and say, “O leader of the believers, my father has thus commanded me, and I dare not disobey him.” When the young man told this to Mu’awiya he said, “Do as your father has commanded you, but be lenient to your uncle.” The boy felt ashamed and, throwing the dinars away, he took his leave. (Al-Fakhri). 6. True faith develops such a sense of realism in an individual that even an ordinary man may surprise those in high places with high confidence. During the war in Iran under the caliphate of Umar, there was an exchange of messengers between Saad ibn abi Waqqas, the Muslim commander, and Rustam, the Persian commander. When the Arab messenger, with his very plain, ordinary accoutrements, reached the splendid court of Rustam, he appeared quite insignificant to the Persian commander. Pointing to the messenger’s spear, Rustam said, “What is this spindlelike thing in your hand.” The messenger replied with confidence, “A flame is a flame, howsoever small it may be.” (Al-Fakhri).