Download PDF: [S] Imam Saabuni’s Fear of Allah (Islamic story)

Hadrat Sayyiduna Imam Saabuni’s – may Allah be pleased with him – full name is Abu Uthman Ismail bin Abdur Rahman bin Ahmed bin Ismail bin Ebrahim bin Aabid bin Aamir Saabuni. He was one of the greatest orators and commentators of the Qur’an of his era. He was born in 373 A.H. in Nihshaapur. For many years Hadrat Sayyiduna Imam Saabuni – may Allah be pleased with him – travelled to places like Herat, Khuraasan, Sarkhas, Syria and parts of the Hejaz seeking knowledge from experts in their field. He is also the special student of Imam Bahiqi may Allah be pleased with him.

 

For nearly twenty years, Hadrat Sayyiduna Imam Saabuni – may Allah be pleased with him – was the official Imam and Khateeb of the Jamia Masjid in Nishaapur and spent nearly seventeen years speaking and lecturing to people. He was an open sword against those who were not Sunnis and spent night and day propagating the beliefs of the Ahle Sunnah wa Jamaah. He spent a long period in a town called Salmaas and when he was leaving he told to the people that in all this time he had only explain on one verse of the Qur’an. He also mentioned that even if he stayed one more year in that city, he would still be able to explain even more on that one single verse of the Qur’an.

 

Hadrat Sayyiduna Imam Saabuni – may Allah be pleased with him – was also unmatched in Ibadah and obedience to Shari’ah in his era. He was considered as among the most senior ‘Ulama of his era. In fact, his passing away from this Dunya is also a sign of his greatness.

 

It is mentioned that once during his lecture someone handed him a book which explained “Fear for Allah”. Hadrat Sayyiduna Imam Saabuni – may Allah be pleased with him – merely recited a few passages from this book and asked a Qari to recite certain verses of the Qur’an. He asked the Qari to recite other verses of the Qur’an which gives creation a dire warning from Allah Almighty. A few minutes later, Hadrat Sayyiduna Imam Saabuni – may Allah be pleased with him – began to tremble with immense fear for Allah Almighty and he developed such immense abdominal pain that he could not continue. Some of the people present carried him to his residence. As much as the doctors tried, they could not remove this pain. In this state, Hadrat Sayyiduna Imam Saabuni – may Allah be pleased with him – passed away on the day of Jumu’ah which was the 4th of Muharram in 449 A.H.

 

One of his miracles is that it is mentioned that once Imamul Haramain (Abul Mu’aani Juwayni) was reading through certain books of other sects and also books of the Ahle Sunnah was Jamaah. The Satan had put evil thoughts in his mind. In this way, he had doubts in his mind on which group to follow. In fact, some people even mention that Imamul Haramain had reached such a critical state that very soon he was going to leave the folds of the Ahle Sunnah was Jamaah.

 

However, he was very lucky because on one occasion, the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – appeared in his dream and informed him, “Stay firm on the beliefs of Saabuni”. When he began to read the books of Imam Saabuni – may Allah be pleased with him –which explained the beliefs of the Ahle Sunnah wa Jamaah, all his doubts which were created through books of misguided sects and books of philosophers were immediately eliminated. His belief in the Aqaa’id of the Ahle Sunnah wa Jamaah also became more firm.

 

Among the books of Hadrat Sayyiduna Imam Saabuni – may Allah be pleased with him, his famous treatise is one entitled, “Kitaab Al Mi’ateen,” which contains two hundred Ahadith, two hundred stories and two hundred couplets and which is within the subject of the Ahadith mentioned. (Bustaanul Muhaditheen)

 

If this is the state and danger which was faced by a great scholar such as Imamul Haramain because he happen to read the books of non Sunnis, what will become the state of those who have no knowledge. Therefore, in this time and period, it is extremely important that you stay away from the material of these misled sects. Remember that the satan is always there to confuse and misguide. As we have mentioned, your greatest asset is your belief and if this leaves you, then you are a person who is part of the living dead.