ISLAMIC VIRTUES

To Emulate

FOR centuries the lives of the Prophet and his Companions have served as models of a truly God-fearing existence for all humankind, and will continue to do so. Hence God’s preservation of this page of history with such exactitude that anyone, who is sincere about learning from their example can know, even today, every detail of how they lived and died. The following are a few of the examples worth emulating.

LEARNING FROM EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS
A cart pulled by two oxen, drove past Abu Darda, a Companion of the Prophet. He watched as one of the oxen carried on pulling while the other stopped. “There is a lesson even in this,” said Abu Darda. “The one that stopped was whipped, while the other was left alone.”

MENTION WHAT IS GOOD: PASS OVER WHAT IS EVIL
Abu Harun tells of how he once went to Abu Hazim, and after greeting asked him how one could offer thanks for one’s two eyes. “When you behold good, make mention of it and when you behold evil, pass over it,” replied Abu Hazim. Then Abu Harun asked him how one could offer thanks for one’s ears. “When you hear something good, pass it on,” said Abu Hazim, “and when you hear something evil, make no mention of it.”

PREFERRING TO BE UNOSTENTATIOUS
At the end of a long journey on camel-back, Caliph Umar arrived in Palestine along with a group of emigrants and helpers. The long garment which he had been wearing for so many days had torn at the back and it was given to be washed and mended. The garment was brought back mended, along with another one made out of fine cloth. Umar looked at it and asked the person what this was that he had brought. “Your garments,” he replied. “I have washed and patched it. The other one is a gift from me.” Umar examined it, running his hand over it, then he put on his own garment and gave the other one back to him saying that the old one absorbed sweat better.

BY PERFORMING SMALL TASKS A MAN DOES NOT DEMEAN HIMSELF
The Caliph of Islam, Umar ibn Abdul Aziz, was talking to someone late one night when the lamp started flickering. “I will wake up the servant,” ventured his companion, “He can put some oil in the lamp.” Umar told him not to do so. Then he got up and put the oil in the lamp himself. “I was Umar ibn Abdul Aziz before I put oil in the lamp, and I am still Umar ibn Adul Aziz,” said the Caliph.

WHILE WORSHIPPING GOD, DO NOT INCONVENIENCE OTHERS
The Prophet was once in retreat in the mosque when he was disturbed by the sound of loud recitation. Raising the curtain, he said to the worshippers, “Look, you are all intent on beseeching God, but in so doing you must not trouble others. Don’t raise your voices to outdo each other while reciting the Quran.”

SHOWING NO FAVOURITISM
Abdullah ibn Arqam came before Umar one day and said to him: “Commander of the faithful, there are some ornaments and silver dishes among the articles that have come into the treasure from Jalula. Please look at them and tell us what to do with them.” Remind me of this when you see that I am free,” replied Umar. A few days later, Abdullah did so when the Commander of the faithful appeared to have nothing to occupy his attention. Umar then went to the treasury and had the ornaments and dishes brought before him. The moment he saw them, he recited the fourteenth verse of the chapter Al-Imran:

“The satisfaction of worldly desires through women and children and heaped up treasures of gold and silver, and pedigreed horses, and cattle and lands is attractive to people. All this is the provision of the worldly life; but the most excellent abode is with God.”

Then Umar said: “We cannot help but rejoice in something that has been made tempting to us. Lord, may we spend it aright. Protect us from its evil.” Just then one of his own sons, Abdul Rahman, came along and asked his father for a ring, Umar did not give him the ring instead he said: “Go to your mother, she will feed you barley soup.”


Small, individual changes can
indeed bring big results.