Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality
Allah Ta‘ala had chosen Imaam Bukhaari (rahimahullah) for the service of Hadith. Imaam Bukhaari (rahimahullah), throughout his life, regarded his engagement in the service of Hadith to be a great bounty and favor of Allah Ta‘ala upon him. Hence, he dedicated all his time, energy and resources to learning, teaching, practicing and propagating the knowledge of the Mubaarak Hadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). He ensured that at no time would he allow anything to distract him from his main goal and purpose.
Husain bin Muhammed Samarqandi (rahimahullah) mentions, “Imaam Bukhaari (rahimahullah) possessed three special qualities, apart from all the other praiseworthy qualities which Allah Ta‘ala had blessed him with. These three qualities are that he would speak very little, he would not be desirous of acquiring the dunya which other people possessed, and he would not concern himself regarding the affairs of people. Rather, he devoted all his time and energy to the knowledge of deen.” (Siyar A’laamin Nubalaa 12/448-449)
Similarly, the scribe of Imaam Bukhaari (rahimahullah), Muhammed bin Abi Haatim (rahimahullah), mentions:
On one occasion, Imaam Bukhaari (rahimahullah) had dictated many Ahaadith to me. Due to narrating so many Ahaadith to me, Imaam Bukhaari (rahimahullah) feared that I may be tired of writing. Hence, he said to me, “You should engage in this work with a happy heart. The people of worldly entertainment are engaged in their entertainment, the craftsmen are engaged in their various crafts and occupations, and the traders are engaged in their commerce and trade – while you are honored to be with Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and his Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) (i.e. while engaging in the service of Hadith)!”
I responded, “I am not tired of writing. May Allah Ta‘ala have mercy upon you! I hope that I will have a share in the reward of all the work that I do with you in the service of Hadith.”
(Siyar A’laamin Nubalaa 12/445)
