Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality
Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) once mentioned:
In reality, even if a king ruling over all seven continents has to embrace Islam, his embracing Islam will not add any glory and honour to Islam. However, if he feels honoured and pleased that Allah Ta‘ala has honoured him with the favour of Islam, then it is something good for him.
Jibillah bin Ayham Ghassaani was a person who accepted Islam during the khilaafah of Hazrat Umar (Radhiyallahu Anhu). He lived in such comfort and luxury that even Hercules (the leader of the Romans) could not match him. After accepting Islam, while performing tawaaf of the ka’bah, a poor person accidentally stepped on the lower garment (of the ihram) of Jibillah, causing the lower garment to become unfastened. Jibillah was enraged and immediately slapped the poor person. The poor person then came to Hazrat Umar (Radhiyallahu Anhu) and complained of the injustice that he suffered. After hearing his complaint, Hazrat Umar (Radhiyallahu Anhu) summoned Jibillah and passed a judgement of equality, instructing the poor person to slap Jibillah in retaliation. When Jibillah heard the verdict of Hazrat Umar (Radhiyallahu Anhu), he asked for some respite. With the consent of the poor person, Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) accepted his request and granted him respite. However, that very night, he turned apostate and fled.
When Hazrat Umar (Radhiyallahu Anhu) learnt of Jibillah turning apostate and fleeing on account of wishing to escape the judgement of Islam, he was not in the least remorseful, as he had stood for the justice of Islam and upheld the right of the oppressed. On the contrary, Jibillah later on regretted his folly and would lament saying, “If only I had accepted the verdict of justice issued by Hazrat Umar (Radhiyallahu Anhu)!” (Malfoozaat Hakeemul Ummat 3/25-26)
