Yazid Abu-d Dardaa, God bless him, was a wise admonisher, who was an ascetic known for his extensive knowledge and devotion.
Although Abu d-Dardaa was one of Prophet Muhammad's (pbuh) companions, he was the last person to embrace Islam in his district in Yathrib.
Abu Nu`aim related from Abu Haamid ibn Jabla that al-Qaasim bin Muhammad, said:
"Abu-d-Dardaa", was one of Allah's servants whose virtues are stated in the Qur'an."
As described by Abu Nu`aim in al-Hilyah; Abu-d-Dardaa nestled comfortably in his niche of continuous devotion, and he forsook any interest in materialism. He was most devoted to his spiritual life, and he was most eager to meet Allah.
Once he became free from worldly concerns and worries, the gate of true understanding became open before him. Abu-d-Dardaa" was known for his wisdom and knowledge which were considered medicine for the sick at heart, and warmth for the hearts of equitable and the pondering ascetics.
Abu d-Dardaa used to worship idols before he embraced Islam. He was a trader, and he had a large shop in Yathrib.
Everybody in Yathrib knew the strong bond of brotherhood which existed between Abu d-dardaa and Ibn Rawahah from the days of Jahiliyyah, before Islam prevailed in Yathrib.
When Islam was introduced in the city, Ibn Rawahah embraced it while Abu-d Dardaa did not. But this never ruptured the relationship between the two men.
Ibn Rawahah wanted Abu-d Dardaa to join the new religion, and he tried to make him see the virtues, benefits and the excellence of Islam. But Abu-d Dardaa rejected Islam and with every passing day, Abdullah felt more sad and concerned for his friend.
On the day of Badr battle, while Abu d-Dardaa was in his shop, Abdullah Ibn Rawahah headed to Dardaa"s house, determined to take a course of action. He went to the room where Abu d-Dardaa kept his idol, and he destroyed it saying:
"Who else should be worshipped beside Allah?"
When the idol was completely smashed, Ibn Rawahah left the house. When Abu-d Dardaa returned home, he saw his wife sitting at the door of the room where he kept his idol. She was weeping loudly and she looked absolutely terrified.
Abu-d Dardaa looked at the smashed idol and was horrified. He was very angry and he was determined to take revenge. But quickly, his rage subsided and thoughts of avenging for his idol disappeared.
He thought about it deeply and said:
"If there was any good in this idol, he would have defended himself against any injury."
After this incident, Abu d-Dardaa went straight to Abdullah and together they went to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). There he announced his acceptance of Islam.
From the moment Abu d-Dardaa embraced Islam, he devoted himself completely to Allah and Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). He deeply regretted every moment he had wasted before Islam and he realized how much his Muslim friends had learnt about Islam in the preceding two or three years, how much of the Qur"an they had memorized and the opportunities they had to serve Allah (swt) and Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
He made up his mind to exert every effort, day and night to try to make up for what he had missed. Worshipping occupied his days and nights, his search for knowledge was restless. He invested most of his time in memorizing the words of the Qur'an and in trying to understand the profundity of its message.
When he saw that business and trade disturbed the sweetness of his worshipping, and kept him away from the circles of knowledge, he reduced his involvement without hesitation or regret.
Imaam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, God bless him, narrated that Abu-d-Dardaa, said:
"It would not be my greatest pleasure to open a vending shop at the threshold of the mosque, and even if it were to bring me three hundred dinars of net business per day, or even if it would help me, by being there, not to miss a single congregational prayer at the mosque. I am not saying that Allah, the Lord of majesty and glory, did not make trading permissible or that He did not forbid usury, I only desire to be among those whose business never distract them form the remembrance of God"
Abu-d Dardaa did not only become less involved in trade but he abandoned his luxurious life-style. He ate only what was sufficient to keep him alive and he wore clothes that were simple and sufficient to cover his body.
Although Abu d-Dardaa was one of Prophet Muhammad's (pbuh) companions, he was the last person to embrace Islam in his district in Yathrib.
Abu Nu`aim related from Abu Haamid ibn Jabla that al-Qaasim bin Muhammad, said:
"Abu-d-Dardaa", was one of Allah's servants whose virtues are stated in the Qur'an."
As described by Abu Nu`aim in al-Hilyah; Abu-d-Dardaa nestled comfortably in his niche of continuous devotion, and he forsook any interest in materialism. He was most devoted to his spiritual life, and he was most eager to meet Allah.
Once he became free from worldly concerns and worries, the gate of true understanding became open before him. Abu-d-Dardaa" was known for his wisdom and knowledge which were considered medicine for the sick at heart, and warmth for the hearts of equitable and the pondering ascetics.
Abu d-Dardaa used to worship idols before he embraced Islam. He was a trader, and he had a large shop in Yathrib.
Everybody in Yathrib knew the strong bond of brotherhood which existed between Abu d-dardaa and Ibn Rawahah from the days of Jahiliyyah, before Islam prevailed in Yathrib.
When Islam was introduced in the city, Ibn Rawahah embraced it while Abu-d Dardaa did not. But this never ruptured the relationship between the two men.
Ibn Rawahah wanted Abu-d Dardaa to join the new religion, and he tried to make him see the virtues, benefits and the excellence of Islam. But Abu-d Dardaa rejected Islam and with every passing day, Abdullah felt more sad and concerned for his friend.
On the day of Badr battle, while Abu d-Dardaa was in his shop, Abdullah Ibn Rawahah headed to Dardaa"s house, determined to take a course of action. He went to the room where Abu d-Dardaa kept his idol, and he destroyed it saying:
"Who else should be worshipped beside Allah?"
When the idol was completely smashed, Ibn Rawahah left the house. When Abu-d Dardaa returned home, he saw his wife sitting at the door of the room where he kept his idol. She was weeping loudly and she looked absolutely terrified.
Abu-d Dardaa looked at the smashed idol and was horrified. He was very angry and he was determined to take revenge. But quickly, his rage subsided and thoughts of avenging for his idol disappeared.
He thought about it deeply and said:
"If there was any good in this idol, he would have defended himself against any injury."
After this incident, Abu d-Dardaa went straight to Abdullah and together they went to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). There he announced his acceptance of Islam.
From the moment Abu d-Dardaa embraced Islam, he devoted himself completely to Allah and Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). He deeply regretted every moment he had wasted before Islam and he realized how much his Muslim friends had learnt about Islam in the preceding two or three years, how much of the Qur"an they had memorized and the opportunities they had to serve Allah (swt) and Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
He made up his mind to exert every effort, day and night to try to make up for what he had missed. Worshipping occupied his days and nights, his search for knowledge was restless. He invested most of his time in memorizing the words of the Qur'an and in trying to understand the profundity of its message.
When he saw that business and trade disturbed the sweetness of his worshipping, and kept him away from the circles of knowledge, he reduced his involvement without hesitation or regret.
Imaam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, God bless him, narrated that Abu-d-Dardaa, said:
"It would not be my greatest pleasure to open a vending shop at the threshold of the mosque, and even if it were to bring me three hundred dinars of net business per day, or even if it would help me, by being there, not to miss a single congregational prayer at the mosque. I am not saying that Allah, the Lord of majesty and glory, did not make trading permissible or that He did not forbid usury, I only desire to be among those whose business never distract them form the remembrance of God"
Abu-d Dardaa did not only become less involved in trade but he abandoned his luxurious life-style. He ate only what was sufficient to keep him alive and he wore clothes that were simple and sufficient to cover his body.
During the caliphate of Umar Ibn Al Khattab, God bless him, Umar wanted to appoint Abu-d Dardaa as a governor in Syria. Abu-d Dardaa refused his offer politely, saying:
"If you want me to go there to teach people the Qur'an, the traditions (Sunnah) of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and pray with them, I will go."
Umar agreed and Abu-d Dardaa left for Damascus. There he found the people immersed in luxury and soft living. This appalled him. He called the people to the mosque and told them:
"O people of Damascus! You are my brethren in religion, neighbors who live together, O people of Damascus! What is it that prevents you from being affectionate towards me and responding to my advice while I do not seek anything from you?"
"I see that you abandon what Allah (swt) has commanded you to do. Is it reasonable that I see you gathering and hoarding what you do not eat, and erecting buildings in which you do not live, and holding out hopes for things you cannot attain.
"Peoples before you, have amassed wealth, made great plans and had high hopes. But it was not long before what they had amassed was destroyed, their hopes dashed and their houses turned into graves. Such were the people of Aad, O people of Damascus. They filled the earth with possessions and children.
"Who is there who will purchase from me today the entire legacy of Aad for two dirhams?"
After his touching speech, people wept and their sobs could be heard from outside the mosque. From that day, Abu-d Dardaa began to attend the meeting places of the people of Damascus frequently. He moved around in their market-places, teaching, answering questions, trying to advise anyone who had become careless or insensitive. He used every opportunity and every occasion to awaken people and direct them to the right path.
Once, he was passing by a group of people crowded around a man. They were insulting and beating him severely. He came up to them and said: "What's the matter?"
"This is a man has committed a grave sin," they replied.
"What do you think you would do if he had fallen into a well?" asked Abu-d Dardaa." "Wouldn't you try to get him out?"
"Certainly," they said.
"Don't insult him and don't beat him. Instead admonish him and make him aware of the consequences of what he had done. Then give praise to God who has preserved you from falling into such a sin."
"Don't you hate him?" they asked Abu-d Dardaa.
"I only detest what he had done and if he abandons such practice, he is my brother."
The man then began to cry and publicly announced his repentance.
Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, narrated that someone asked Abu-d-Dardaa, to advise him, he replied:
"Remember Allah when you are comfortable, He will remember you when you are in difficulty, and when you set your eyes upon something in this world, think about how it will end!"
He also said: "let the mosque be your house for indeed I heard Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) say:
"The mosque is the house of every God-conscious person and God Almighty has guaranteed serenity, comfort, mercy and staying on the path leading to his pleasure, to those for whom mosques are their houses."
On another occasion, there was a group of people sitting in the street, chatting and looking at passers-by. Abu-d Dardaa came up to them and said:
"My sons, the monastery of a Muslim is his house in which he controls himself and lowers his gaze. Beware of sitting in market-places because this fritters away time."
Muawiyah Ibn Abi Sufyan, God bless him, was the governor of Damascus while Abu-d Dardaa was there. He asked Abu-d Dardaa for his daughter's hand to his son, But Abu-d Dardaa did not agree. Instead his daughter was married to a young poor man who was devoted to Islam.
People heard about this and began talking and asking: Why did Abu-d Dardaa refuse to let his daughter marry Yazid? When they asked Abu-d Dardaa, he replied:
"I have only sought to do what is good for ad-Dardaa." That was his daughter's name. "What would you think of ad-Dardaa if servants were to serve her and if she were to find herself in palaces, the glamour of which, dazzled the eyes? What would become of her religion then?"
Caliph Umar once came to visit Abu d-Dardaa in Syria. He found that there was no light in the house, also he felt Abu-d Dardaa's pillow and realized it was an animal's saddle. He touched the place where Abu-d Dardaa sleep and knew it was just small pebbles. He also felt the sheet which he covered himself with and was astonished to find it so flimsy that it couldn't possibly protect him from the cold of Damascus.
So he asked him: "Shouldn't I make things more comfortable for you?"
Abu d-Dardaa told him: "Do you remember, Prophet Muhammad's (pbuh) saying (hadith)?"Hadn't he said:
"Let what is sufficient for anyone of you in this world be like the provisions of a rider"
Imaam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, also narrated that Abu-d-Dardaa", radhiallaahu `anhu, used to say,
"Woe unto him, and what an agony is awaiting one who cares only about amassing money in this world! Woe unto him who opens his mouth agape and drools at hearing the sound of money, who looks aghast, just like an idiot when he thinks about it, who stares at what people have, and who does not see what he has; and if he could, he would pursue such an obsession by day and night. Woe unto him! What an austere reckoning and a grievous punishment are awaiting him!"
Source: www.usc.edu"If you want me to go there to teach people the Qur'an, the traditions (Sunnah) of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and pray with them, I will go."
Umar agreed and Abu-d Dardaa left for Damascus. There he found the people immersed in luxury and soft living. This appalled him. He called the people to the mosque and told them:
"O people of Damascus! You are my brethren in religion, neighbors who live together, O people of Damascus! What is it that prevents you from being affectionate towards me and responding to my advice while I do not seek anything from you?"
"I see that you abandon what Allah (swt) has commanded you to do. Is it reasonable that I see you gathering and hoarding what you do not eat, and erecting buildings in which you do not live, and holding out hopes for things you cannot attain.
"Peoples before you, have amassed wealth, made great plans and had high hopes. But it was not long before what they had amassed was destroyed, their hopes dashed and their houses turned into graves. Such were the people of Aad, O people of Damascus. They filled the earth with possessions and children.
"Who is there who will purchase from me today the entire legacy of Aad for two dirhams?"
After his touching speech, people wept and their sobs could be heard from outside the mosque. From that day, Abu-d Dardaa began to attend the meeting places of the people of Damascus frequently. He moved around in their market-places, teaching, answering questions, trying to advise anyone who had become careless or insensitive. He used every opportunity and every occasion to awaken people and direct them to the right path.
Once, he was passing by a group of people crowded around a man. They were insulting and beating him severely. He came up to them and said: "What's the matter?"
"This is a man has committed a grave sin," they replied.
"What do you think you would do if he had fallen into a well?" asked Abu-d Dardaa." "Wouldn't you try to get him out?"
"Certainly," they said.
"Don't insult him and don't beat him. Instead admonish him and make him aware of the consequences of what he had done. Then give praise to God who has preserved you from falling into such a sin."
"Don't you hate him?" they asked Abu-d Dardaa.
"I only detest what he had done and if he abandons such practice, he is my brother."
The man then began to cry and publicly announced his repentance.
Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, narrated that someone asked Abu-d-Dardaa, to advise him, he replied:
"Remember Allah when you are comfortable, He will remember you when you are in difficulty, and when you set your eyes upon something in this world, think about how it will end!"
He also said: "let the mosque be your house for indeed I heard Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) say:
"The mosque is the house of every God-conscious person and God Almighty has guaranteed serenity, comfort, mercy and staying on the path leading to his pleasure, to those for whom mosques are their houses."
On another occasion, there was a group of people sitting in the street, chatting and looking at passers-by. Abu-d Dardaa came up to them and said:
"My sons, the monastery of a Muslim is his house in which he controls himself and lowers his gaze. Beware of sitting in market-places because this fritters away time."
Muawiyah Ibn Abi Sufyan, God bless him, was the governor of Damascus while Abu-d Dardaa was there. He asked Abu-d Dardaa for his daughter's hand to his son, But Abu-d Dardaa did not agree. Instead his daughter was married to a young poor man who was devoted to Islam.
People heard about this and began talking and asking: Why did Abu-d Dardaa refuse to let his daughter marry Yazid? When they asked Abu-d Dardaa, he replied:
"I have only sought to do what is good for ad-Dardaa." That was his daughter's name. "What would you think of ad-Dardaa if servants were to serve her and if she were to find herself in palaces, the glamour of which, dazzled the eyes? What would become of her religion then?"
Caliph Umar once came to visit Abu d-Dardaa in Syria. He found that there was no light in the house, also he felt Abu-d Dardaa's pillow and realized it was an animal's saddle. He touched the place where Abu-d Dardaa sleep and knew it was just small pebbles. He also felt the sheet which he covered himself with and was astonished to find it so flimsy that it couldn't possibly protect him from the cold of Damascus.
So he asked him: "Shouldn't I make things more comfortable for you?"
Abu d-Dardaa told him: "Do you remember, Prophet Muhammad's (pbuh) saying (hadith)?"Hadn't he said:
"Let what is sufficient for anyone of you in this world be like the provisions of a rider"
Imaam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, also narrated that Abu-d-Dardaa", radhiallaahu `anhu, used to say,
"Woe unto him, and what an agony is awaiting one who cares only about amassing money in this world! Woe unto him who opens his mouth agape and drools at hearing the sound of money, who looks aghast, just like an idiot when he thinks about it, who stares at what people have, and who does not see what he has; and if he could, he would pursue such an obsession by day and night. Woe unto him! What an austere reckoning and a grievous punishment are awaiting him!"
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