4. CRITICISM OF IGNORANT ASCETICS
I have been thinking and pondering until I realised that maintaining wealth is incumbent on every person and what the ignorant amongst the ascetics call reliance upon Allah (tawwaqul) is giving away what one possesses is not prescribed in Islam. This is evident because the Prophet said to his Companion Ka‘b Ibn Malik (radiyAlldbu ‘anhu), “Keep for yourself some of your wealth” and he also advised Sa’d (radiyAlldbu ‘anhu), “Leaving your heirs with sufficient funds is better than leaving them in need for others’ charity.”
If an ignorant person, however, decides to object to this by saying, ‘Well, Abu Bakr (radiyAlldbu ‘anhu) gave away all his wealth [in a charity], the answer to him will be, ‘Abu Bakr (radiyAlldbu ‘anhu) had a trade (i.e. business) and was known to have the trait of being resolute. Thus, though he donated all of his wealth, he would still be able to take a loan (and trade) and live on it. I do not however criticise or condemn whosoever’s financial condition and character is as such.
Rather, I only condemn those who give away all their wealth while not having a source of income or a trade or a profession from which they can earn money. Those who may have a profession or a trade and after they give away their wealth they also abandon the source of income, so they end up depending on people’s charity and begging others for aid. Thinking they have reached a higher spiritual level when in fact, their heart is attached to people as they seek what is in others hands.
These types of people become alert and their hearts become awake whenever they hear a knock on their door because they think they have received some aid. This is indeed an ugly attribute for a person who is able to work and support himself. And, it is even uglier when a person cannot work or support himself. Yet still gives away all his wealth as that will make his heart attached to what is in people’s hands.
Even worse, he may humiliate himself in front of others or starts to show off with being an ascetic before those from whom they seek help [to convince them to help him]. And the least bad thing to happen is that such people will take away from the zakah that should be given to the poor, needy and permanent disable persons.
For this reason, you should hold fast to the way of the first generation of this nation; look and search if anyone of them ever did what the ignorant amongst the ascetic do! I mentioned in the beginning that our righteous predecessors (Salaf al-Salih) worked and earned what they would support themselves with and also left wealth for their heirs too.
That being the case, drink only from the first-round bottle (i.e. follow the way of the early generations] as its water is pure and is not debased. Beware of the ways which have been debased with corrupted opinions and beliefs that not only deviate from religion, but also suggest that religion is incomplete and in need perfection.
Know— may Allah direct you to success— that the body is like the ride, it should be maintained and looked after otherwise it will prevent you from continuing your journey.
Salman al-barsl (radiyAllahu anhu) was seen carrying his food on his shoulder. 1 le was asked: ‘How come you do this though you are the Companion of the Messenger of Allah He said, ‘When the ‘self assures its provision for the day, it feels secure.’
Sufyan al-Thawri said: ‘After you ensure having the provisions of a month dedicate your time to worship.’
However, afterwards a new group of people emerged who have nothing but empty claims and so they said, ‘Such an act indicates having doubt in the Provider (Allah) and to have faith and trust in Him is what should be done.’ So, beware of them and let them beware too. ‘I bis kind of statement may even be mentioned by some of the ascetics amongst the righteous predecessors, but nevertheless, such statements should be ignored and do not be intimidated for opposing them in this aspect.
Abu Bakr al-Marudhi narrated: ‘I heard Ahmad Ibn Hanbal encouraging people to get married’, so I said to him: ‘But Ibrahim Ibn Adham (opposes this view).’
He stopped me and did not let me continue and yelled at me saying: ‘I mention to you the way of the Messenger of Allah and his Companions (radiyAllahu ‘anhum) and you come to me with trivial opinions?
Know— may Allah direct you to success— that if a person claims being an ascetic and says, ‘I shall not eat and drink, I will stay under the sun in hot days and I will not warm myself when it is cold’, he is a sinful person by agreement of all scholars. And if a person who has a family says, ‘I will not seek the means to support my family and Allah will look after their provision’ and when one of the members of his family was hurt because of that, he is sinful too.
The Prophet said, “It is enough of a sin for a person to neglect those whose provision is his responsibility!”
Know that working to earn what suffices you in life helps you to focus on your Hereafter, empties your heart from distractions, and hinders any desire you may have towards what people may have, because your innate nature has a right that must be fulfilled.
The Prophet explained this meaning when he said, “The ‘self has a right you should fulfil and your eyes have a right that you should also fulfil.”
The example of how the innate nature operates with a devotee is like a dog that does not recognize people, so it barks at every walking person but if someone throws to him a piece of food it remains silent.
The object of looking after one’s provision is only to remove concerns regarding this life so that one can focus on his Hereafter.
Therefore, you should understand this principle because understanding it is very important.
(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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