>Abdullah Ibn Al-Mubarak said:
“I was with [Imam] Malik while he was relating hadith to us and a scorpion stung him ten times. Malik changed colour and grew ashen, but he did not interrupt the hadith of the Messenger of Allah (SAW).
When the people left him, I said ‘I have seen something wondrous from you today.’” he mentioned the story and Malik said, “I was not steadfast out of fortitute, but out of respect for the hadith of the Messenger of Allah (sal Allah alayhi wasalam).”
Bustaan al-Muhaddithin, The Garden of the Hadith Scholars p.25
January 8, 2011
Posted by salafstories |
hadith, malik, mubarak |
Leave a Comment
As-salamu `alaykum
Some nice quotes of Ibn al-Mubarak (rahimahullah), taken from the upcoming biography:
Ibn al-Mubarak said:
‘How many people carry the Qur’an in the hearts but the Qur’an curses them from inside their hearts! If the bearer of Qur’an disobeys his Lord, the Qur’an calls him from inside his chest saying, ‘By Allah, you have not carried me (i.e. memorised me) for this! Will you not be shy from your Lord?’
‘There is nothing in this world for a person except one’s daily portion of food.’
‘If a person’s goodness outweighs his errors, then his errors are not mentioned, and if his errors outweigh his goodness, then his goodness is not mentioned.’
A man once said to Ibn al-Mubarak: ‘Is there anyone who will advise us?’ He replied, ‘Rather, is there anyone who will accept the advice?’
‘This world is a prison for the believer and the best of deeds in prison is to have patience and to overcome one’s anger. The believer has no country in this world, indeed his country lies in the Hereafter.’
A man said to him, ‘Advice me.’ So he said, ‘Abandon looking at things for long periods of time and you shall be granted Khushu’ (humbleness), abandon excessive speech and you shall be granted wisdom, abandon excessive food and you shall be guided to ‘Ibadah (worship), abandon looking towards the faults of others and you shall be guided to seeing your own faults and abandon delving into the issues that concern the Being of Allah `azza wa jall, and you shall be guided away from doubts and hypocrisy.’
Another man once said to him, ‘I see myself as being in a better state than someone who killed a person wrongfully.’ He said to him, ‘Indeed the security you feel for yourself (and have given yourself) is worse than a person who killed another wrongfully!’
‘Make your places of gathering to be with the poor and be cautious of sitting with the people of innovation.’
He loved to spend on others and assist his companions when they were in financial difficulties. It is reported that he once said to al-Fudhayl ibn ‘Iyyadh, ‘Were it not for you and your companions, I would never have done business.’
And this quote is just a beauty:
‘Indeed the scholars are the inheritors of the Prophets, but if they fall into covetousness and greed, who shall be taken as leaders? The merchants and businessmen are the trustees of Allah, so if they are treacherous, who can be trusted? The warriors are the guests of Allah so if they become extreme (or take spoils without right), with whom can we defeat the enemies? The righteous and ascetic ones are the kings of the earth but if they become insincere (i.e. have riya’), who shall be followed? The governors/rulers are the shepherds (protectors) of the people, but if the shepherd becomes a wolf, who shall protect the flock?’
From the Wise Words of Ibn al-Mubarak « |-| Fajr |-|
_________________________
Sources include: Siyar A’lam al-Nubala’, Tanbih al-Mughtarin, Tadhkirat al-Huffadh, Hilyat al-Awliya’ and Dhayl Jawahir al-Mudhiyyah.
November 14, 2009
Posted by salafstories |
abdullah, mubarak |
Leave a Comment
New E-Book: ‘The Manners of the Knowledge Seeker‘ – with Notes.
http://www.ahlalhdeeth.com/vbe/showthread.php?t=1230

“I spent thirty years learning manners, and I spent twenty years learning knowledge.”
- ‘Abdullāh bin al-Mubārak
1
Purify Your Intention for Allāh in Seeking Knowledge
Purify Yourself Inwardly and Outwardly From That Which Contradicts the Sharī’ah
Completely Free Your Heart for Knowledge and Remove All Obstacles
Eat Little, Be Cautious, and Constantly Remember Allāh
Eat, Sleep, and Speak as Seldom as Possible
Reduce Socialization and Choose the Right Friends
Choose What to Start With and Who to Teach You
Have the Best Manners with Your Teacher
How to Act During a Lesson
Total Length:
71 pages
Download:
http://www.mediafire.com/?aixvd00te55
http://ia360641.us.archive.org/3/ite…eeker/adab.pdf
Enjoy.
NOTES:
From the first chapter:
“…Know that intention (niyyah), will (irādah), and goal (qasd) are various terms that all mean the same thing, and it is a description of the state of the heart when it is a source for two things: knowledge and action.
Knowledge comes first – as it is the foundation and condition – and action follows it, since it is the fruit that branches from knowledge. This is because every action – that is, every intentional movement and motion – does not occur without three things: knowledge, will, and ability. Nobody does something without knowing of it. So, he must have knowledge. Likewise, nobody does something without having the will to do it. So, one must have the will to do something, and the meaning of will (irādah) is that the heart reaches out to what it sees as being in accordance with what it seeks.
The human was created such that he sometimes does that which is in accordance with what his heart seeks, and sometimes does that which conflicts with what his heart seeks. In such a case, he needs to draw near to that which is good for him, and to drive away what will harm him. This requires that he know and understand what will benefit and harm him, such that he can bring this close and avoid that, since whoever does not see or know what food is cannot reach over and pull it towards him, and whoever does not see fire cannot escape from it. So, Allāh has Created guidance and knowledge, and has provided certain means of attaining them, and these are the external and internal senses.
So, intention is essentially the will and the act of reaching out to and leaning towards what one seeks, whether this occurs retrospectively or at the time of seeing what is sought after. Therefore, the first step in one being pushed to do something is that he has a goal which motivates him to act, and goal is the target of one’s intention. One is pushed to go out and do something when he has a goal and intention, and directs his power and ability towards his goal by way of physical movement, and this is known as action…”
From the second chapter:
It is upon the student of knowledge to purify himself outwardly by steering clear of innovations, beautifying himself with the sunan of the Messenger of Allāh (peace be upon him) in all aspects of his life, preserving his wudū’, and keeping his body and appearance clean – all within reasonable means, and as much as he is able.
Ibn Abī Hātim reported that ‘Abd al-Malik al-Maymūnī said: “I do not know that I have ever seen anyone who wore cleaner clothes, was more attentive to trimming his moustache and grooming the hair on his head and body, or wore purer and whiter garments than Ahmad bin Hambal.” And this was because every single movement of Ahmad (may Allāh have Mercy on him) was in accordance with the Sunnah, as he said: “I never wrote a single hadīth except that I acted upon it, to the point that I came across a report that the Prophet (peace be upon him) got cupped and gave Abū Taybah (his cupper) a dīnār. So, I got cupped and gave the cupper a dīnār.”
One shouldn’t misunderstand the encouragement to have clean clothes and be excessive and obsessive in regards to his clothing. Rather, one should be slightly less than this, considering that it is reported that the Messenger of Allāh (peace be upon him) said: “Badhādhah is from faith.”
Ibn al-Athīr said: “Badhādhah is to have a plain, ascetic appearance…and he (peace be upon him) meant that one should be humble in his clothing, avoiding vanity.”
And al-Khatīb al-Baghdādī (may Allāh have Mercy on him) reported that Abū ‘Abdillāh al-Būshinjī said: “As for the badhādhah that the Messenger of Allāh (peace be upon him) said is from faith, it is the plainness one displays in dress and garment, and this is humility from owning flashy, expensive clothing and garments. This is how the people of zuhd dress in this world.”
al-Khatīb (may Allāh have Mercy on him) said:
“The student of knowledge must set aside amusement, useless talk, and low speech when meeting and gathering with others, such as immaturity, laughter, giggling, and excessive joking. It is allowed for him to laugh mildly and rarely in a way that does not exceed the limits of the manner and style of one who is dealing with knowledge. As for constantly doing this, speaking about inappropriate, immature, and childish matters, excessive laughter and joking – this all reduces one’s esteem and manhood.
Mālik (may Allāh have Mercy on him) said: “It is upon the student of knowledge to manifest calmness, humility, and tranquility, and to follow in the footsteps of those who came before him.”
Muhammad bin al-Husayn reported from Sa’īd bin ‘Āmir that he said: “We were with Hishām ad-Dastawā’ī, and one of us laughed. So, Hishām said to him: “You laugh while you are a student of Hadīth?!””
‘Abd ar-Rahmān bin Mahdī reported that a man laughed in the presence of Hishām ad-Dastawā’ī. So, Hishām said to him: “Young man, you seek knowledge and laugh?!” The man replied: “Doesn’t Allāh make us laugh or weep?” Hishām replied: “Then weep!””
From the third chapter:
…And it is just as Ibn al-Qayyim said, as reaching your desired destination requires that you abandon your false habits, cut off connections to anything else, and overcome the obstacles to doing so. And it is just as he said in that it depends on the strength of your attachment and desire for a higher goal. So, the more your desire for something increases, the easier the sacrifice you put forth seems, and you feel as if you’ve already reached what you’re seeking. The time to get there seems like just a few days, just a few desires to give up – false desires that are like a mirage – just like al-Imām Ahmad (may Allāh have Mercy on him) said: “If one remembers death, everything from this world seems insignificant. It is just one type of food instead of another, one type of dress instead of another, and the remaining days are only few.” So, the student of knowledge is one who should have a great desire for the Hereafter and what is with Allāh, and a strong attachment to the higher goal. Knowledge is enough of a preoccupation from the pleasures and glitter of this life, and the remaining days are only few.
“al-Ash’ath Abū ar-Rabī’ narrated that Shu’bah said to him: “You stuck with your business, and you became wealthy and successful. I stuck with Hadīth, and I became poor.”
Sufyān bin ‘Uyaynah narrated that Shu’bah said: “Whoever studies Hadīth will become poor. I became poor to the point that I sold a pot that belonged to my mother for seven dīnārs.”
az-Zubayr bin Abī Bakr said: “My niece said to our family: “My uncle is the best to his family. He didn’t take a second wife or purchase a slave.” So, I said: “My wife says that these books of mine are more distracting for me than three other wives would be.”””
at-Tahhān said:
“With his statement, Shu’bah meant to show the reality of what happened to him, and to advise his students – the students of Hadīth – whose studies drain all of their time. They are unable to earn the money that will fulfill their needs and the needs of those under their care, causing them to become a burden on people, and this is contrary to what is commanded in the pure Sunnah. And it should not be understood from the words of Shu’bah that he regretted the worldly gains he missed out on, as he was a noble and abstinent person, to the point that al-Mahdī gave him 30,000 dirhams as a gift, which he immediately distributed. Whoever wishes to read more about his nobility and zuhd, let him refer to Abū Nu’aym’s ‘Hilyat al-Awliyā’’ (7/144-147). Likewise, it should not be understood from his words that he sought to discourage people from studying Hadīth. Rather, he wanted to encourage them to study Hadīth while simultaneously earning a living.”
December 26, 2007
Posted by salafstories |
deen, hadith, knowledge, manners, mubarak, seeker, sunnah |
Leave a Comment
>
New E-Book: ‘The Manners of the Knowledge Seeker‘ – with Notes.
http://www.ahlalhdeeth.com/vbe/showthread.php?t=1230

“I spent thirty years learning manners, and I spent twenty years learning knowledge.”
- ‘Abdullāh bin al-Mubārak
1
Purify Your Intention for Allāh in Seeking Knowledge
Purify Yourself Inwardly and Outwardly From That Which Contradicts the Sharī’ah
Completely Free Your Heart for Knowledge and Remove All Obstacles
Eat Little, Be Cautious, and Constantly Remember Allāh
Eat, Sleep, and Speak as Seldom as Possible
Reduce Socialization and Choose the Right Friends
Choose What to Start With and Who to Teach You
Have the Best Manners with Your Teacher
How to Act During a Lesson
Total Length:
71 pages
Download:
http://www.mediafire.com/?aixvd00te55
http://ia360641.us.archive.org/3/ite…eeker/adab.pdf
Enjoy.
NOTES:
From the first chapter:
“…Know that intention (niyyah), will (irādah), and goal (qasd) are various terms that all mean the same thing, and it is a description of the state of the heart when it is a source for two things: knowledge and action.
Knowledge comes first – as it is the foundation and condition – and action follows it, since it is the fruit that branches from knowledge. This is because every action – that is, every intentional movement and motion – does not occur without three things: knowledge, will, and ability. Nobody does something without knowing of it. So, he must have knowledge. Likewise, nobody does something without having the will to do it. So, one must have the will to do something, and the meaning of will (irādah) is that the heart reaches out to what it sees as being in accordance with what it seeks.
The human was created such that he sometimes does that which is in accordance with what his heart seeks, and sometimes does that which conflicts with what his heart seeks. In such a case, he needs to draw near to that which is good for him, and to drive away what will harm him. This requires that he know and understand what will benefit and harm him, such that he can bring this close and avoid that, since whoever does not see or know what food is cannot reach over and pull it towards him, and whoever does not see fire cannot escape from it. So, Allāh has Created guidance and knowledge, and has provided certain means of attaining them, and these are the external and internal senses.
So, intention is essentially the will and the act of reaching out to and leaning towards what one seeks, whether this occurs retrospectively or at the time of seeing what is sought after. Therefore, the first step in one being pushed to do something is that he has a goal which motivates him to act, and goal is the target of one’s intention. One is pushed to go out and do something when he has a goal and intention, and directs his power and ability towards his goal by way of physical movement, and this is known as action…”
From the second chapter:
It is upon the student of knowledge to purify himself outwardly by steering clear of innovations, beautifying himself with the sunan of the Messenger of Allāh (peace be upon him) in all aspects of his life, preserving his wudū’, and keeping his body and appearance clean – all within reasonable means, and as much as he is able.
Ibn Abī Hātim reported that ‘Abd al-Malik al-Maymūnī said: “I do not know that I have ever seen anyone who wore cleaner clothes, was more attentive to trimming his moustache and grooming the hair on his head and body, or wore purer and whiter garments than Ahmad bin Hambal.” And this was because every single movement of Ahmad (may Allāh have Mercy on him) was in accordance with the Sunnah, as he said: “I never wrote a single hadīth except that I acted upon it, to the point that I came across a report that the Prophet (peace be upon him) got cupped and gave Abū Taybah (his cupper) a dīnār. So, I got cupped and gave the cupper a dīnār.”
One shouldn’t misunderstand the encouragement to have clean clothes and be excessive and obsessive in regards to his clothing. Rather, one should be slightly less than this, considering that it is reported that the Messenger of Allāh (peace be upon him) said: “Badhādhah is from faith.”
Ibn al-Athīr said: “Badhādhah is to have a plain, ascetic appearance…and he (peace be upon him) meant that one should be humble in his clothing, avoiding vanity.”
And al-Khatīb al-Baghdādī (may Allāh have Mercy on him) reported that Abū ‘Abdillāh al-Būshinjī said: “As for the badhādhah that the Messenger of Allāh (peace be upon him) said is from faith, it is the plainness one displays in dress and garment, and this is humility from owning flashy, expensive clothing and garments. This is how the people of zuhd dress in this world.”
al-Khatīb (may Allāh have Mercy on him) said:
“The student of knowledge must set aside amusement, useless talk, and low speech when meeting and gathering with others, such as immaturity, laughter, giggling, and excessive joking. It is allowed for him to laugh mildly and rarely in a way that does not exceed the limits of the manner and style of one who is dealing with knowledge. As for constantly doing this, speaking about inappropriate, immature, and childish matters, excessive laughter and joking – this all reduces one’s esteem and manhood.
Mālik (may Allāh have Mercy on him) said: “It is upon the student of knowledge to manifest calmness, humility, and tranquility, and to follow in the footsteps of those who came before him.”
Muhammad bin al-Husayn reported from Sa’īd bin ‘Āmir that he said: “We were with Hishām ad-Dastawā’ī, and one of us laughed. So, Hishām said to him: “You laugh while you are a student of Hadīth?!””
‘Abd ar-Rahmān bin Mahdī reported that a man laughed in the presence of Hishām ad-Dastawā’ī. So, Hishām said to him: “Young man, you seek knowledge and laugh?!” The man replied: “Doesn’t Allāh make us laugh or weep?” Hishām replied: “Then weep!””
From the third chapter:
…And it is just as Ibn al-Qayyim said, as reaching your desired destination requires that you abandon your false habits, cut off connections to anything else, and overcome the obstacles to doing so. And it is just as he said in that it depends on the strength of your attachment and desire for a higher goal. So, the more your desire for something increases, the easier the sacrifice you put forth seems, and you feel as if you’ve already reached what you’re seeking. The time to get there seems like just a few days, just a few desires to give up – false desires that are like a mirage – just like al-Imām Ahmad (may Allāh have Mercy on him) said: “If one remembers death, everything from this world seems insignificant. It is just one type of food instead of another, one type of dress instead of another, and the remaining days are only few.” So, the student of knowledge is one who should have a great desire for the Hereafter and what is with Allāh, and a strong attachment to the higher goal. Knowledge is enough of a preoccupation from the pleasures and glitter of this life, and the remaining days are only few.
“al-Ash’ath Abū ar-Rabī’ narrated that Shu’bah said to him: “You stuck with your business, and you became wealthy and successful. I stuck with Hadīth, and I became poor.”
Sufyān bin ‘Uyaynah narrated that Shu’bah said: “Whoever studies Hadīth will become poor. I became poor to the point that I sold a pot that belonged to my mother for seven dīnārs.”
az-Zubayr bin Abī Bakr said: “My niece said to our family: “My uncle is the best to his family. He didn’t take a second wife or purchase a slave.” So, I said: “My wife says that these books of mine are more distracting for me than three other wives would be.”””
at-Tahhān said:
“With his statement, Shu’bah meant to show the reality of what happened to him, and to advise his students – the students of Hadīth – whose studies drain all of their time. They are unable to earn the money that will fulfill their needs and the needs of those under their care, causing them to become a burden on people, and this is contrary to what is commanded in the pure Sunnah. And it should not be understood from the words of Shu’bah that he regretted the worldly gains he missed out on, as he was a noble and abstinent person, to the point that al-Mahdī gave him 30,000 dirhams as a gift, which he immediately distributed. Whoever wishes to read more about his nobility and zuhd, let him refer to Abū Nu’aym’s ‘Hilyat al-Awliyā’’ (7/144-147). Likewise, it should not be understood from his words that he sought to discourage people from studying Hadīth. Rather, he wanted to encourage them to study Hadīth while simultaneously earning a living.”
December 26, 2007
Posted by salafstories |
deen, hadith, knowledge, manners, mubarak, seeker, sunnah |
Leave a Comment