The Reformation Of Hazrat Maalik Bin Dinaar

Hazrat Maalik Bin Dinaar lived in Damascus. He used to spend time in I’tikaaf in the beautiful Jaami’ah Masjid built by Hazrat Muaawiyah Radhiyallahu anhu.

Once he developed the desire to become the Mutawalli (trustee) of the Masjid. He, therefore, decided to remain in the Masjid and engaged in Ibaadat to impress the Musallis. He spent the whole year in I’tikaaf in the Masjid.

Whenever people entered the Masjid they would find him performing Salaat. After one year he came out of the Masjid and heard a voice saying: “O Maalik! Alas! Why don’t you repent. Shame on your year’s of deceptive worship.”

Cleansing his heart from Riyaa (show), he passed the entire night in Ibaadat. In the morning he saw a
group of Musallis at the entrance of the Masjid. They were discussing the poor state of the Masjid’s
administration. They unanimously decided to appoint Maalik Bin Dinaar as the Mutawalli. They said
that there was no one better qualified for this post than Maalik Bin Dinaar.

When the group approached Hazrat Maalik Bin Dinaar, he was engaged in Salaat. After he completed his Salaat,
they informed him of their decision to appoint him the Mutawalli. When he heard this he said to himself: “O Allah! For a whole year I worshipped You with Riyaa, but no one paid any heed to me. Now after a single night’s Ibaadat with sincerity, so many people have turned to me by Your command. I take oath by You that I shall not accept this offer.” So saying, he came out of the Masjid and engrossed in Ibaadat life-long.

(Source: Scattered pearls)