The home of Hazrat Hammaad Bin Salmah (Rahmatullahi alaih) was extremely frugal. He flourished during the first century of Islam. In his home were the barest essentials necessary for survival.
Once there was a knock at the door. Hazrat Hammaad instructed his little daughter to see who it was. The little girl, after opening the door, said that the person was the messenger of the Khalifah, Muhammad Bin Sulaimaan Bin Abdul Malik.
Hazrat Hammaad instructed the little girl to allow him in, but to tell him to enter alone, not with an entourage.
On entering, the messenger presented a letter of the Khalifah to Hazrat Hammaad Bin Salmah. The letter read: “From Muhammad Bin Sulaimaan to Hammaad Bin Salmah. May Allah Ta’ala keep you with goodness and safety as He cares for His pious servants. We are confronted with a question for which we require a Fatwa from you……….Was-salaam.”
Hazrat Hammaad instructed Muqaatil Bin Saalih Khurasaani (who was present at the time) to write on the reverse side of the letter: “May Allah Ta’ala keep you also with goodness and safety as He cares for His pious servants. Verily we have seen Ulama who do not go to anyone. If you have any question, then come to us and ask us. If you come to me, come alone. Do not come with your entourage and camp followers, for then I shall not be able to proffer Naseehat (advice and admonition) to you nor will I find it appropriate. Was-salaam.”
The messenger departed with the letter.
To be continued, Insha Allah