The Twelve Qualities of the True Ulama – Fourth Quality – Disinterest in the Dunya (Part Three) – Fazaail Sadaqaat – Taleem Series – Part Fourteen

The Twelve Qualities of the True Ulama – Fourth Quality (Part Three)

4. Disinterest in the Dunya

Yahya bin Yazid Nawfali (rahimahullah) once wrote a letter to Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah). In the letter, he first praised Allah Ta‘ala and sent durood upon Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), and then he mentioned the following:

I have come to know that you wear fine clothes, eat fine bread and sleep in a soft bed. You also have a doorman at your house, whereas you are one of the great and renowned Ulama, and people come to you from far and wide to learn the knowledge of deen. You are an imaam and a leader, and people follow your example. Hence, you should be very cautious in these matters.

I am only writing this letter to you because of my sincerest concern for you, and no one except Allah Ta‘ala knows about this letter.

Was salaam.

In reply to this letter, Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) wrote:

I received your letter, which contained much advice, compassion and correction for me. May Allah Ta‘ala bless you with piety and righteousness! May Allah Ta‘ala grant you the best of rewards for this advice! May Allah Ta‘ala grant me tawfeeq (divine assistance) to practice upon your advice! Indeed, no person can perform good deeds or protect himself against bad deeds without the help of Allah Ta‘ala.

What you have mentioned (regarding myself) is true, as I am in the habit of using these worldly things. May Allah Ta‘ala forgive me (however, all these things are permissible to use according to Shari’ah). Allah Ta‘ala says:

قُلۡ مَنۡ حَرَّمَ زِیۡنَۃَ اللّٰہِ الَّتِیۡۤ  اَخۡرَجَ لِعِبَادِہٖ  وَ الطَّیِّبٰتِ مِنَ الرِّزۡقِ ؕ

Say (O Rasul of Allah [sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam]): (Tell me,) who has made haraam the beauty of Allah (i.e. clothing, etc.) which He has produced for His servants and the good and pure things (i.e. food and drinks) that He has provided for sustenance? (Surah A’raaf v.32)

Thereafter, Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) wrote:

I know very well that (although it is halaal), it is much better for me not to use these luxuries. I hope that in the future, you will be kind enough to write to me from time to time. I shall also continue to write letters to you.

Was salaam.

Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) has made a very good point. He has given a fatwa (verdict) that it is halaal to use good things of this world, and at the same time, he has agreed that it is better to stay away from them.

(Fazaa’il-e-Sadaqaat [English] pg. 440-442, [Urdu] pg. 486-487)