Download PDF: [S] Scholar who owned a Kurta and a Shawl

The famous Muhaddith and scholar, Hadrat Sayyiduna ibn Abi Zahb – may Allah be pleased with him, was noted for his immense knowledge and steadfastness. However, one of his most fascinating and remarkable characteristics was his immense Ibadah which people considered as one of his greatest miracles or Karaamat. Besides teaching Hadith, he used to busy himself day and night in Ibadah. In fact, it is mentioned that if someone said that tomorrow was going to be the Day of Judgement, then the amount of Ibadah a person would perform on that day would be equal to the amount of Ibadah that this great Saint performed most days of his life.

 

Hadrat Sayyiduna ibn Abi Zahb – may Allah be pleased with him – spent every day as a day of fasting. He spend so many days in poverty and destitution that merely reading some of these incidents could create spiritual ecstasy in a person. His food was barley bread and some olive oil and nothing else. His clothes consisted of one kurta and one single shawl which he wore both during winter and summer. He is also the teacher of thousands of other Muhaddith of their era and spent his entire life teaching others. He passed away at the age of seventy nine in the year 80 A.H. (Taarike Baghdad, 31)

 

Imagine the state of this eminent scholar! He had just one single kurta and one shawl, but he knew thousands of Ahadith by memory. His spent his entire life never missing his Tahajjud Salaah and fasting every day. During the day, he spent teaching other people the Ahadith.

 

There is no doubt that when we look at the state of these eminent scholars of Islam, we are astounded at how they had the strength to continue in this manner day to day. They also proved beyond a shadow of doubt that this power was not physical power but spiritual power. There is also no doubt that the soul is nourished through Ibadah and Dhikr and when this happens, immense spiritual power in seen in a person. (Ruhani Hikaayah)