The Amazing Simplicity Of The Sahaabah

When Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallahu anhu) was appointed the Khalifah, the Sahaabi, Saeed Bin Aamir Al-Jumaahi (Radhiyallahu anhu) proffered the following naseehat:

“O Umar, I advise you to fear Allah regarding the people. Do not fear the people in matters relating to Allah. Do not let your words contradict your actions, for the best words are those accompanied by actions. O Umar, direct your attention to the Muslims, those who are near and far, over whom Allah has placed you. Love for them that which you love for yourself and your family, and dislike for them that which you dislike for yourself and your household. Hasten towards the truth and do not fear criticism when acting for the pleasure of Allah.”

Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallahu anhu) asked: “Who is able to do that?”

Saeed Bin Aamir (Radhiyallahu anhu) replied: ”A man of your calibre, O Umar! The man whom Allah has put in charge over the affairs of the Ummah of Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam). The man who does not have anyone between him and Allah, will be able to accomplish this.”

Impressed with this advice, Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallahu anhu) said: “O Saeed, I am appointing you the governor over the inhabitants of Homs.”

Hadhrat Saeed (Radhiyallahu anhu) said: “O Umar, I beg you in the Name of Allah! Do not put me to trial in this way.”

Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallahu anhu) became angry and said: “Woe to you! You place this burden of Khilaafat upon my neck, and then you turn away from me! By Allah, I shall not leave you.”

He then ordered Hadhrat Saeed to accept the governorship of Homs and asked: “Should we not arrange some provision for you?”

However, Hadhrat Saeed declined (the arrangement of provision).

After some time, a delegation from Homs visited Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallahu anhu). He asked them to write the names of the poor people in Homs so that he could attend to them. A list of the names was presented to Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallahu anhu). He observed that in the list also appeared the name of Hadhrat Saeed bin Aamir (Radhiyallahu anhu).

“Who is Saeed bin Aamir?” asked Umar (Radhiyallahu anhu).

“He is our governor,” they replied.

In surprise, Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallahu anhu) said: “Is your governor poor?”

They responded: “Yes, By Allah! Many days pass without a fire being lit in his home.”

Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallahu anhu) wept. His beard was drenched with his tears. He gave the delegation a thousand gold coins and said: “Convey my salaams to him, and tell him: “Ameerul Mu’mineen has sent this money for your needs.”

The delegation presented the bag of gold to their Governor, Hadhrat Saeed (Radhiyallahu anhu). When he saw that it was gold-coins, he quivered and placed it far away from himself, exclaiming: “We belong to Allah and to Him is our return.”

His mannerism was as though some calamity had befallen him. His wife hastened to him.

Full of concern she asked: “What has happened, O Saeed? Has the Amirul Mu’mineen passed away?”

“Something worse has happened,” he replied.

“Have the Muslims been defeated in battle?”, his wife asked.

Saeed (Radhiyallahu anhu) said: “It is worse than that.”

“What can possibly be worse than that?” his wife queried.

“The world has presented itself to me, seeking to destroy my Hereafter, and the trials have become apparent in my own home,” Saeed (Radhiyallahu anhu) said.

“Remove it (i.e. the world) from here,”his wife said, unaware of the money.

“Will you help me do that?” Saeed (Radhiyallahu anhu) asked her.

“Yes, I will,” she replied.

Then Hadhrat Saeed (Radhiyallahu anhu) distributed the gold coins to the Fuqara and Masaakeen (poor Muslims).

Some time after this incident, Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallahu anhu) visited Syria to observe the condition of its inhabitants. The citizens of Homs came to greet him.

He asked them: “What is your opinion of your governor?”

They complained to him, mentioning four of Hadhrat Saeed acts of which they disapproved. Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallahu anhu) arranged a meeting at which the Governor and the complainants were present.

Then he asked: “What are your complaints?”

They said: “He does not attend to us until late in the morning.”

“What do you say, O Saeed?”

After pausing for a while, he said; “By Allah! I am reluctant to discuss this, but now it is necessary. My wife does not have a maid, so I wake up early every morning and I knead the dough for my family. After having baked the bread, I make wudhu and go out to the people.”

Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallahu anhu) asked the people: ”What is your next complaint him?”

“He does not respond to anybody at night,” they replied.

“What is your response to this, O Saeed?”

Hadhrat Saeed (Radhiyallahu anhu) said: “I did not want this to be revealed as well. I devote the day for the people and the night for Allah Ta’ala.”

Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallahu anhu) asked: “What is your next complaint?”

They said: “One day in every month, he does not come to the people.”

Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallahu anhu) asked: “What is the reason for this, O Saeed?”

Hadhrat Saeed (Radhiyallahu anhu) responded: “O Amirul Mu’mineen, I do not have a servant, and I have no clothing besides these that I am wearing. I wash it once every month and wait for it to dry before. Then I go out to the people in the last part of the day.”

Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallahu anhu) asked: “What is your other complaint?”

They replied: “Sometimes, he loses consciousness.”

Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallahu anhu) asked: “Why is that, O Saeed?”

Hadhrat Saeed (Radhiyallahu anhu) explained:

“I had witnessed the killing of Khubaib bin Adi (Radhiyallahu anhu) while I was still a mushrik. I saw how the Quraysh cut off parts of his body while saying to him; “Don’t you wish that Muhammad had been in your place?” He answered: “By Allah, I would not wish to be safe with my wife and children while even a thorn would be pricking Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam).” By Allah! When I remember that day and how I did not help him, I fear that Allah may not forgive me. I therefore become unconscious.”

Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallahu anhu) brimming with gratitude to Allah Ta’ala, exclaimed: “All praises are due to Allah Who has not disappointed me in my opinion of Saeed.”

He then sent to Hadhrat Saeed (Radhiyallahu anhu) one thousand gold coins.

When his wife saw it, she said to him: “All praises are due to Allah, Who has enriched us through your service. Buy provisions for us and hire a servant.”

He said: “Would you like to know what is better than this?”

She asked: “What could be better?”

Hadhrat Saeed (Radhiyallahu anhu) replied; “We return it to Him (i.e. to Allah Ta’ala) Who gave it to us, and we loan to Allah a Beautiful Loan.” (As Allah commands in the Qur’aan Majeed).

“Yes,” she replied. “May you be well rewarded.”

Then he distributed all the money to the widows, orphans and the poor.

These were the Sahaabah – these are the Men of Allah whom the Shiahs brand as munaafiqeen and kuffaar, whom they slander with the vilest litany of derogatory and slanderous epithets. These were the Sahaabah on whom the Structure of Islam is reliant.

Muslims should bear in mind this episode of Hadhrat Saeed (Radhiyallahu anhu) during their daily activities. While it is not suggested that it is Waajib to emulate Hadhrat Saeed (Radhiyallahu anhu) in exactitude, it is undoubtedly, Waajib to conduct our life in the spirit which underlines the lifestyle of Hadhrat Saeed (Radhiyallahu anhu), and the Sahaabah in general.

So, when a Muslim develops the nafsaani desire to waste in haraam weddings, haraam souks, haraam functions, haraam sports, wasteful mass mock I’tikaafs, haraam qiraa’t competitions, mock umrahs and the like whilst the Makhlooq of Allah Ta’ala is suffering in grinding poverty, squalor, hardship and jahaalat, then he/she should bring to mind the devotion and sacrifices of Hadhrat Saeed (Radhiyallahu anhu).

What did he do with 100% of the gold awarded to him? It is imperative for our life to operate with the Portrait of Hadhrat Saeed (Radhiyallahu anhu) and the Sahaabah in general silhouetted in the backdrop.