Care in what one says
Al-Risala (English), August 1985, p. 24
By Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
Maulana Wahiduddin Khan is named as the default author of the periodical; a piece that carries another writer’s byline is credited to that writer.
Care in what one says
1985 8 August 24 Care in what one says (50) Umar Ibn Abdul Aziz was asked what he thought about the Muslims who had slain and been slain in the Battle of Siffeen. “Thank God that he kept my hand from spilling any blood on that day,” he replied. “I do not want to pollute my tongue with it either.”
Keeping quiet and letting those who are in a position to speak do so
1985 8 August 24 Keeping quiet and letting those who are in a position to speak do so (181) After the death of the Prophet, hypocrisy took root in Medina, and apostasy set in many parts of Arabia and Persia. The renegades made a plot in Nihevand, Iran. “The Prophet has died,” they said, “and it was because of him that God used to help the Muslims.” The successor of the Prophet, Abu Bakr, gathered the Muhajirs and Ansar together, and told them that these Arabs had ceased to pay what was due to the poor on their camels and goats. “They have renegaded on their faith,” he said, “and are now plotting in Nihavand to attack you. They think that you have lost the one who used to entitle you to God’s succour. Tell me what I should do now. I am just a common man, like any one of you. In fact, I am the least able to bear the burden of the caliphate.” Abdullah Ibn Umar says that the companions sat in silence with their heads bowed for a long while after Abu Bakr had spoken. Only then did Umar Ibn Al-Khattab rise and begin to speak.
Not mentioning anyone with scorn
1985 8 August 24 Not mentioning anyone with scorn (55) The Prophet was with Aisha in her chamber. In the course of conversation, she made fun of her co-wife, Safia, and ridiculed her dwarfishness. On hearing this, the Prophet’s countenance altered. “You have uttered something which would pollute the colour of the sea were it to be mixed in its waters,” he said to her.
The Prophet and His Companions
1985 8 August 24 The Prophet and His Companions (138)
Answering criticism without getting angry
A woman of the Banu Asad, whose name was Umm-e-Yaqub, came to Abdullah Ibn Masood. “I hear that you curse the tattooer, and the one who is tattooed,” she said. “But I have read the Quran from beginning to end, and have found no mention of this matter. And I bet that even in your household this is being done.” “Go to my house and have a look for yourself,” Ibn Masood replied. She did so, and could find no sign of any tattoo marks. When she came back, Abdullah Ibn Masood said to her: “Have you not read in the Quran to take what the Prophet gives, and keep away from that which he forbids?” The woman replied that she had. “Well,” Ibn Masood said, “this is something that the Prophet forbade.”
