22. ADHERE TO THE TRUTH AND DO NOT ADORN YOURSELVES FOR THE SAKE OF PEOPLE
Those who are sincere (khalis) in working for Allah are few. People love to show-off the deeds they perform.
Sufyan al-Thawri used to say, ‘I do not count actions that I do openly.’
The early generation of Muslims used to conceal their actions, but nowadays people’s clothes (i.e. outward appearance) expose them.
Ayub al-Sakhtiyani used to make his garments longer to the point of touching his feet, and he used to say, ‘In the past, people used to seek fame by lengthening their garments, but nowadays they seek fame by shortening them.’ [Shorting them is the Sunnah, but with sincerity].
Know that refraining from showing-off (riya) to people, being sincere (ikblas al-qasd) and concealing actions was the reason why the status of great Muslims was elevated.
Sometimes Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal used to walk barefooted and used to carry his sandals, and used to take from cheap wheat.
Bishr [al-Hafi] used to always walk barefooted, and Ma’ruf [alKarkhi] used to collect date seeds.
Nowadays, there is an aspect of leadership (riyasaf) in all things. And once the desire for leadership takes over the heart (qalb), then oblivion (ghafla), showing-off to the creation (ru’ya al-khalq) and forgetting the truth (nisyan al-baqq) settles in the heart— for leadership positions are always sought by worldly people.
People, including those with knowledge, say strange things. They blame me for walking alone; and they think that it’s too much for me to visit a poor person— and if they see me smiling they look down at me.
What a surprise! This was the way of the Messenger and His Companions (radiy Allahu ‘anhum). People have developed a system for gaining prestige.
It is no wonder that when you have fallen from the eyes of Allah, He makes you fall from the eyes of His creation.
Many people work hard to gain prestige but never achieve their goal, and people pay no attention to them. So they miss out on the greater goal.
So my brothers! Focus on mending your intentions (islah al-niyya) and refrain from showing-off to people, and let your main pillar (of support) be straight with Allah. This was how the Salaj gained elevation and fortune.
So beware of what people do today. Compared to the alertness of the Salaf people today are considered to be asleep.
(Source: al-Hafiz Abu’l-Faraj ibn al-jawzl [d. 597AH] “CAPTURED THOUGHTS being” a translation of his masterpiece ‘Sayd al-K hatir)
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John Doe
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