This blog was originally uploaded on the previous version of the www.sajidumar.com website on January 16, 2020.

This was the advice of Imām Abū Ḥanīfa (raḥimahu Allāh) to one of his students who traveled to Baṣra to teach the fiqh of Kūfa and convey the opinions of its scholars.

Building Relationships

“Know that if you harm ten people, you will have enemies, even if they are your mothers and fathers. But if you do good to ten people who are not your relatives, they will become like mothers and fathers to you.”

Humility and Respect

“If you enter Baṣra and oppose people, elevate yourself above them, flaunt your knowledge among them, and hold yourself aloof from their company, then you will shun them and they will shun you. You will curse them, and they will curse you. You will consider them misguided, and they will think you are misguided and an innovator.

Ignominy will attach itself to you and to us, and you will eventually have to flee from them. This is not an option. An intelligent person is not the one who responds to unsociability with unsociability, until Allāh shows him a way out.”

Honouring People

“When you go to Baṣra, the people will receive you, visit you, and acknowledge your due. So, put each person in his proper place. Honour the people of honour, esteem the people of knowledge, and respect the shuyūkh. Be kind to the young and draw near to the common people.”

Company and Conduct

“Be courteous to the impious, but keep the company of the righteous. Do not disregard the authorities or demean anyone. Do not fall short in your chivalry, and do not disclose your secrets to anyone until you have tested them. Do not socialise with the base or the weak. Do not accustom yourself to what you outwardly disapprove of. And beware of speaking freely with fools.”

Character and Manners

“You must cultivate courtesy, patience, endurance, good character, and forbearance. Renew your clothing regularly, have a good mount, and make use of what is good. Offer your food to people, for a miser never prevails. Take as your confidants only those you know to be the best of people.

When you discern corruption, rectify it immediately. When you discern righteousness, give it even greater attention.”

Brotherhood and Care

“Act on behalf of those who visit you and those who do not. Be good to those who are good to you, and those who are bad to you. Adopt pardon and command what is correct. Ignore what does not concern you and abandon whatever will harm you.

Hasten to uphold people’s rights. If any of your brethren falls ill, visit him personally and send your messengers as well. Inquire after those who are absent. If any of them withhold themselves from you, do not withhold yourself from them.”

Teaching and Knowledge

“Show affection to people as much as possible and greet even those who are blameworthy. When you meet others in a gathering or a mosque, and questions are discussed in ways that differ from your position, do not rush to disagree.

If you are asked, share what you know, and then say: ‘There is another position on this, which is such-and-such, and the evidence is such-and-such.’ If they listen, they will recognize your worth and the worth of what you possess. If they ask, ‘Whose opinion is that?’ reply: ‘One of the fuqahāʾ…’”

Guiding Students

“Give everyone who frequents you a share of the knowledge they seek. Be friendly with them, joke with them at times, and chat with them. Love encourages people to persevere in knowledge. Feed them occasionally and fulfill their needs. Acknowledge their worth and overlook their faults. Be kind to them and tolerant of them. Do not show annoyance or vexation. Be like one of them… and do not burden people with what they cannot bear.”

Source: The Four Imams: Their Lives, Works, and Their Schools of Thought by Muḥammad Abū Zahra

Your brother

Sajid Umar

Location: 'somewhere en route to the hereafter'

21/05/1441 (AH) - 16/01/2020