Page 66 - The Vision of Islam

The Straight Path

story of how two men once brought a case regarding some
inherited property before the Prophet. Both claimed it as
their rightful property, but neither had any concrete proof.
The Prophet said, ‘You bring your cases to me; but I am
only a human being and may give my verdict in favour of
the one who impresses me with his greater eloquence.
Just remember that if I were to give anyone his brother’s
share, that share will prove to be a flame of fire on the day
of judgement. Hearing this, they both wept and said, “Give
my share to my brother! Give my share to my brother.”
(Musnad Imam Ahmad)
5. Following the straight path creates such breadth of vision
in an individual that he even looks upon his juniors as if
they were his seniors. During his reign as the first Umayyad
Caliph of a vast empire, Amir Muawiya once sent five
hundred dinars to an Ansari (Madinan Muslim). The latter,
taking this to be a trifling amount, asked his son to take
the money, throw it at Muawiya and say, “O leader of
the believers, my father has thus commanded me, and I
dare not disobey him.” When the young man told this to
Mu’awiya he said, “Do as your father has commanded you,
but be lenient to your uncle.” The boy felt ashamed and,
throwing the dinars away, he took his leave. (Al-Fakhri).
6. True faith develops such a sense of realism in an individual
that even an ordinary man may surprise those in high places
with high confidence. During the war in Iran under the
caliphate of Umar, there was an exchange of messengers
between Saad ibn abi Waqqas, the Muslim commander,
and Rustam, the Persian commander. When the Arab
messenger, with his very plain, ordinary accoutrements,
reached the splendid court of Rustam, he appeared quite
insignificant to the Persian commander. Pointing to the
messenger’s spear, Rustam said, “What is this spindle-
like thing in your hand.” The messenger replied with
confidence, “A flame is a flame, howsoever small it may be.”
(Al-Fakhri). 65