Download PDF: [S] The Imam who was Thrown in the Fire

Hadrat Sayyiduna Abu Muslim Khulaani’s – may Allah be pleased with him – was Abdullah bin Thoub. His title was “Zaahid Shami”. He was from Yemen. He left his home to meet the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – but while on the journey, the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – passed away.

 

Imam Abu Muslim Kholaani – may Allah be pleased with him – acquired knowledge of Hadith from among others, Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar, Hadrat Sayyiduna Mu’az bin Jabal, Hadrat Sayyiduna Abu Ubaidah bin Jarrah, Hadrat Sayyiduna Abaadah bin Saamit and Hadrat Sayyiduna Abu Zarr Ghifaari – may Allah be pleased with them.

 

Among his student were eminent scholars such as Imam Abu Idris Khulaani, Imam Ata bin Abi Riyah, Imam Makhul – may Allah be pleased with them –  etc. He enjoyed a very eminent rank among the Muhadditheen of the Taaba’een era and eminent scholars such as Imam Yahya bin Moeen, Imam Asad, Imam Ajali – may Allah be pleased with them – considered him as being among the authentic Haafiz and Muhaddith of his era.

 

Imam Abu Muslim Kholaani – may Allah be pleased with him – was extremely pious and noble and was considered a person through whom many miracles appeared. It is mentioned that he never used to eat for many months at a time but in spite of this, his face did not display any weakness and neither did this effect his teaching.

 

Ibn Sa’ad in the “Tabqaat” mentioned an amazing miracle of this Saint. It is mentioned that once Aswad bin Qais Al Himaar claimed Prophethood in Yemen and he forced many people to accept his status as a prophet. He also forced Imam Abu Muslim Kholaani – may Allah be pleased with him – to accept him as a prophet and had him captured. He asked Imam Abu Muslim Kholaani – may Allah be pleased with him – whether he was prepared to accept him as a prophet. The great Imam mentioned that he was not even prepared to listen to these words leave alone the idea of entertaining such a belief. He was asked whether he only believed in the Prophethood of the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – and he replied that yes, he only believed in this. He then recited the Kalimah loudly without any fear.

 

Aswad bin Qais Al Himaar then ordered that a large fire be prepared and when the flames increased, he ordered that Imam Kholaani – may Allah be pleased with him – be thrown into the fire. However, Imam Abu Muslim Kholaani – may Allah be pleased with him – continued to walk on the fire and continued to declare the Kalimah. The fire had no effect on his clothing or his actual being. When Aswad bin Qais Al Himaar saw this, he ordered that the great Imam be expelled from Yemen. After he left Yemen, he travelled to Madina Shareef.

 

When Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – heard about this miracle, he declared, “All Praise is due to Allah who has kept me alive so that I can see that person in this Ummah who thrown into a fire like Nabi Ebrahim – peace be upon him – and he survived.” He passed away in 62 A.H. (Tahzeeb At Tahzeeb)

 

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