Abu Dhar Al-Ghifaari
Taken from Men Around the Messenger By: Khaalid Muhammad Khaalid [summarized]
Abu Dhar Al-Ghifaari, a pre-islamic arab turned towards Mekkah. His journey was going to be diffucult and hard, through much heat and many sands...
The goal Abu Dharr was striving to reach made him forget his pain and filled his soul with happiness. He went into Makkah disguised as one of those who came to circumambulate the great idols of the Sacred House of the Ka’bah or as a passer-by who had lost his way or who had traveled far and seeked shelter. If the inhabitants of Makkah knew that he had come to search for Muhammad (saws) and to listen to him, they would cut him into pieces.
Abu Dharr did not fear being cut up piece by piece, but not before he met the person he crossed the hot burning deserts to see and for whose sake afterwards he was willing to risk his life because he believed in him and was convinced of his honesty and the truth of his message. This man had dignity. He had karamah [Dignity]. This characteristic was very beneficial to this Muslim in the early days of Muhammad (saws)’s prophethood.
Immediately, without
hesitation, he embraced Islam. When the Prophet’s
preference was to whisper their belief in those days, he wished that a loud
shout declaring Islam publicly be made. When he was told that he could return to
his home, Abu Dharr refused to go home without declaring Islam , loudly, in the
sacred house. Indeed, Abu Dharr did this. He acted out of his own dedication and
courage even though he knew what was going to happen. He was surrounded by the
polytheists, who hit him until he fell down.
Later on, Abu Dharr returned to his kin and tribe, telling them about the Prophet
(PBUH) who called people to worship Allah and who guided them to noble manners.
His tribe, Ghifaar, was a tribe with a notorious reputation for highway robbery.
Its people were famous for theft and were known as allies of darkness and night.
Allah (SWT) guides whom he pleases--these people converted to Islam. incest
Following the orders of the prophet, Abu Dharr kept his teacher and Prophet’s instruction unforgotten. Therefore, he did not carry a sword against commanders who enriched themselves by taking what was the public money. Abu Dharr, also, did not keep silent, and he did not let them rest. Abu Dharr encountered all the governors, the wealthy, and all those who worshipped the wordly life and relied upon it, thereby representing an even greater danger to the religion which game to be a guide; prophethood, not dominion; mercy, not affliction; humbleness, not superiority; equality, satisfaction. not greed; sufficiency, not luxury and a life of ease full of temptation, with this life the only goal. He was not tempted by greedy desires nor hindered by worldly obstacles. He kept himself busy with and devoted himself to sincere, honest opposition. He is remembered alone by history for his brave resistance and dignity.