Seeking advice of righteous people

WHEN a Muslim is faced with trials and his Lord tests him in order to purify him, one of the means which Allah gives him to help him stand firm is a righteous man who will advise and help him.

Through this man's words Allah helps the believer to stand firm and directs his steps. These words remind him of Allah, the Meeting with Him, His Paradise and His Hell. There follow some examples from the life of Imam Ahmad who entered the test and emerged as pure gold.

He was taken to the leader then, al-Ma'mun, in chains, and (al-Ma'mun) had already issued him such a stern warning before he reached him that a servant said to Imam Ahmad, "It hurts me, O Abu 'Abd-Allah, that al-Ma'mun has unsheathed a sword which he has never unsheathed before, and he swears by his relationship to the Messenger of Allah that if you do not accept what he says about the Quran being created, he will certainly kill you with that sword." (Al-Bidayah wa'l-Nihayah).

At this point, the intelligent scholars took the opportunity to say to their Imam words that would help him to remain steadfast.

In al-Siyar, al-Dhahabi reports from Abu Ja'far al-Anbari: "When Ahmad was taken to al-Ma'mun, I was told about it, so I crossed the Euphrates and found him sitting in an inn, where I greeted him. He said, 'O Abu Ja'far, why did you go to the trouble (of coming here)?' I said, 'Listen to me, today you are the leader and the people are following you. By Allah, if you accept that the Quran is created, a lot of people will go along with that, but if you do not, then neither will they. Even if this man (al-Ma'mun) does not kill you, you will still die, because death is inevitable, so fear Allah, and do not go along with (al-Ma'mun).' Ahmad began to weep and said, 'Masya' Allah.' Then he said, 'O Abu Ja'far, say it again,' so I said it again, and he kept saying, 'Masya' Allah."'

With regard to his being taken to al-Ma'mun, Imam Ahmad said, "We reached al-Rahbah at midnight, and a man came to us and said, 'Which of you is Ahmad ibn Hanbal?' He was told, 'This man.' He said to the camel-driver, 'Slow down.' Then he said, 'Listen to me, why should you worry if you get killed here and go to Paradise?' Then he said, 'May Allah be with you,' and left. I asked about him and I was told, 'He is an Arab from the tribe of Rabi'ah who deals with wool in the desert. He is called Jabir ibn 'Amir, and they say good things about him."' (Siyar A'lam al-Nubala').

In al-Bidayah wa'l-Nihayah, it says that a Bedouin said to Imam Ahmad, "Listen, you are a representative of the people, so do not be bad news for them. You are the leader of the people today, so beware of doing what they are asking you to do, lest you bear their sins on the Day of Resurrection. If you love Allah, then bear this with patience, for the only thing standing between you and Paradise is your being killed."

Imam Ahmad said, "His words strengthened my resolve not to do what they were asking me to do." (Al-Bidayah wa'l-Nihayah).

It was reported that Imam Ahmad said, "I never heard any stronger words at that time than what a Bedouin said to me at Rahbat Tawq, a village between al-Raqqah and Baghdad on the banks of the Euphrates. He said, 'O Ahmad, if they kill you for the truth, you will be a syahid (martyr), and if you live, you will be praised.' And so my heart grew strong." (Siyar A'lam al-Nubala')

Imam Ahmad said of the young man Muhammad ibn Nuh, who accompanied him at that time of trial: "Even though he was so young, he had such great knowledge, and I never saw anyone who adhered more firmly to the command of Allah than Muhammad ibn Nuh, and I hope that his end was good. He said to me one day, 'O Abu 'Abd-Allah, you are not like me. You are a man whom people follow, and they are straining their necks to see what you will do, so fear Allah and adhere to His commands.' Then he died, and I prayed the janazah (funeral) prayer for him and buried him." (Siyar A'lam al-Nubala').

Even his fellow-prisoners, whom Imam Ahmad used to lead in prayer in chains, had a role to play in helping him to stand firm. One day when he was in prison, Imam Ahmad said, "I don't care about being in prison — it is no different from my home — or about being killed by the sword, but I am afraid of the trial of being whipped." One of the other prisoners heard him and said, "Don't worry, O Abu 'Abd-Allah, it is only two lashes of the whip, then you don't feel where the rest fall." It was as if this reassured him and calmed him down. (Siyar A'lam al-Nubala', 11/240)

Travel

So try to seek advice from righteous people, and try to understand it if it is given to you. Seek their advice before you travel, if you think that something could happen to you. Seek their advice when you are facing some trial, or before some test that you expect to face. Seek their advice if you are appointed to a position of authority or if you inherit some wealth.

Make yourself stand firm, and help others to do so too. Allah is the Protector of the believers.

Thinking about the delights of Paradise and the punishments of Hellfire, and remembering death.

Paradise is the abode of joy, the consolation of those who grieve, the final destination of the believers. The soul is by nature not inclined to make sacrifices or work hard or stand firm unless it gets something in return that makes difficulties easy and helps it to overcome the obstacles in its way.

The one who knows about the reward will find it easy to work hard, because he will be aware that if he does not remain steadfast, he will miss out on Paradise as wide as the heavens and the earth. The soul needs something to lift it above the dust of this earth and raise it to the heavenly world.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used the mention of Paradise to encourage his Companions to stand firm. According a hadith, the Messenger of Allah passed by Yasir, 'Ammar and Umm 'Ammar when they were being tortured for the sake of Allah and said, "Patience, family of Yasir, patience, family of Yasir, for your destination is Paradise." (Reported by al-Hakim). The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to tell the Ansar, "You will face selfish people after my death, so have patience until you meet me at the Hawd (cistern — on the Day of Judgement)." (Agreed upon)

Similarly, one should think about the situation of both groups (believers and kuffaar) in the grave, the gathering, the reckoning, the scales of justice, the bridge over Hell, and the other events of the Hereafter.

Remembering death protects the Muslim from backsliding and helps him to adhere to the limits set by Allah, so that he does not transgress them. If he knows that death is closer to him than his own shoelaces and that his time could come at any moment, how can he let himself slip or persevere in deviation? Hence the Prophet said, "Always remember the destroyer of pleasures (death)." (Reported by at-Tirmizi)

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