Imam Malik (RA) Teaches A Lesson In Humility
Eid had arrived and the takbeer and tahleel echoed through the streets of Madeenah. The Ameer of Madeenah, ‘Abdul Malik Ibn Saalih (رحمة اللہ علیه), emerged boastfully clad in armour and surrounded by guards and flags.
When Imam Malik (رحمة اللہ علیه) noticed this, he displayed his displeasure and remarked, “To Allaah we belong and to Him is our return! Nabi (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and the righteous Khulafaa’ (رضي الله عنهم) did not behave like this.”
His statement reached the ears of the Ameer, who approached the Imam (رحمة اللہ علیه) at the Eidgah and asked, “What do you dislike regarding us?”
Imam Malik رحمة اللہ علیه replied, “I find this conduct of yours reprihensible. People should attend Salaah in humility and desirous of attaining the forgiveness of Allaah (سبحانه و تعالى). Yahya Ibn Sa’eed (رحمة اللہ علیه) narrated to me that Nabi (صلى الله عليه وسلم) entered Makkah during the conquest at the head of ten or twelve thousand men, but his head was lowered. Upon his lips were the words, ‘The kingdom belongs to Allaah, the One, the Irresistable.’ Nabi (صلى الله عليه وسلم) would proceed to the Eidgah and the Salaah of Istisqaa’ leaning on a staff or spear, while his head was lowered in humility.”
‘Abdul Malik Ibn Saalih (رحمة اللہ علیه) was embarrassed when he heard the golden words of advice from the scholar (رحمة اللہ علیه). [Tartibul Madarik, vol 2, p 104; 100 Qissah wa Qissah min Hayat al-Imam Malik رحمة اللہ علیه, p 70]
Pomp and power do not blind the righteous from expressing the truth. [Pearls from the Path, vol 3]
Seifeddine-M
