Download PDF: [S] The Qadi’s Fear of being Bribed

Hadrat Sayyiduna Ismail bin Ishaq – may Allah be pleased with him – narrates that Hadrat Sayyiduna Aafiyah Qadi – may Allah be pleased with him – was a very pious and honest person. The Khalifah had also nominated him as a Qadi of a certain area.

 

One day, during midday, Hadrat Sayyiduna Aafiyah Qadi – may Allah be pleased with him – approached the Khalifah. When the Khalifah saw him he called him forward and asked him his condition. He then placed a handful of letters in front of the Khalifah and said, “I am now presenting my resignation from the position of Qadi and I urge you to nominate someone else to this position. There is no way that I am able to continue with this responsibility.”

 

When the Khalifah heard these words, he thought that perhaps some government officials had threatened this Qadi or there was some external pressure, hence this person wanted to resign. However, the eminent Qadi mentioned that this was not the reason. He explained the reason to the Khalifah.

 

Hadrat Sayyiduna Aafiyah Qadi – may Allah be pleased with him – revealed, “There is a case which is with me for the past two months. In fact, the case is so difficult that I am finding it very difficult to make a decision. Both parties have presented their evidence and testimony and both of them have their own set of witnesses. I have no idea how I am going to decide this case. This has continued for the past two months. I then mentioned to them, ‘Both of you have presented your evidence and testimony. The decision in this matter will be revealed to both of you in a few days. Therefore, both of you can leave and come back on a certain date.’

 

“Both of them then left and I began to think very hard on this matter. The only reason that I delayed this matter was for two reasons. The first was so that I could have more time to think and the second reason was that I felt that perhaps these people would settle their case out of court.

 

“In those days, I also liked fresh dates and one of these people came to know through someone that I liked a certain type of fresh date. It was very difficult at that time to acquire these dates, but this person came to know how to acquire these dates. He then bribed my servant and had some of these dates sent to me. When I realised what had happened, I immediately returned these dates to the sender without taking a single date.

 

“The following day when both of these people entered the court, I realized that my Nafs had more inclination towards that person who had sent the dates to me. In fact, I realised that I had failed and that equality could not be displayed by me. Therefore, this thought which has entered my mind clearly proves that I am unfit for this position. Imagine if I had accepted the dates, the results would have certainly been very frightening. Therefore, I have decided that it is better that I leave this position immediately. I have no intention that through me, there must be fitnah and fasaad among the common people”.

 

When the Khalifah heard this truth been revealed, he accepted Hadrat Sayyiduna Aafiyah Qadi’s – may Allah be pleased with him – resignation and placed another person in that position. (Uyunul Hikaayah)