Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality
Hazrat Abu Zar Ghifaari (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was a Sahaabi who resembled Nabi Isa (‘alaihis salaam) in his physical appearance as well as his beautiful qualities.
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “Whoever wishes to look at Isa bin Maryam (‘alaihis salaam) in his piety, his truthfulness, and his deep devotion (to ibaadah), then he should look at Abu Zar.” (Majmauz Zawaaid #15817)
Similarly, in another Hadith, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “Whoever wishes to look at a person who resembles Isa (‘alaihis salaam) in his physical appearance and qualities, then he should look at Abu Zar.” (Majmauz Zawaaid #15820)
Among the beautiful qualities of Hazrat Abu Zar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) which stood out was the quality of his worldly abstinence. After embracing Islam, he spent his life in a way that resembled the Ambiya (alaihimus salaam) in showing disinterest towards the world. His entire focus and devotion was dedicated towards the Aakhirah in earning the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala.
All this was acquired through the blessings of him remaining in the mubaarak company of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), whereas prior to him embracing Islam, his love for worldly wealth was so great that he would waylay the caravans to acquire wealth.
It is reported that the love of wealth left his heart due to him hearing the severe warnings from Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) for those who do not fulfill the rights of the wealth Allah Ta’ala had granted them. Similalry, on account of Hazrat Abu Zar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) seeing the life of abstinence which Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) led, he preferred the life of austerity and worldly abstinence.
On one occasion, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was seated in the shade of the Kabah Shareef, when Hazrat Abu Zarr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) entered the Masjid. At that time, he heard Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) mention, “By the oath of the Rabb of the Kabah, they are the great losers (and they are doomed for the fire of Jahannum)!” Rasululllah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) repeated this warning twice.
Hazrat Abu Zar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was greatly concerned and said to himself, “Has any verse been revealed regarding me (due to which Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) has mentioned this)?” He therefore went up to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) while Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) continued saying, “By the oath of the Rabb of the Kabah, they are the great losers (and they are doomed for the fire of Jahannum)!”
Hazrat Abu Zar (radhiyallahu anhu) asked, “O Rasul of Allah! May my mother and father be sacrificed for you! For who is this warning?” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “It is for those who accumulate wealth, they are the losers (and are doomed for the fire of Jahannam), except for those among them who give it in charity on their right, on their left, in front and behind (discharging the rights of the wealth).” (Saheeh Bukhaari #6638, Musnad Ahmad #21491, Fathul Baari 11/298)
In other words, those who discharge the rights of the wealth by giving it to the poor in zakaat and they fulfill their other responsibilities which are linked to wealth (e.g. spending on their families, paying their debts etc), then for such people, the wealth will not become the means of them entering the fire and being punished.
Similarly, on another occasion, Hazrat Abu Zar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was present with Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) in Madinah Munawwarah near Mount Uhud. It was around the time of maghrib, when the sun was about to set. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) addressed him saying, “O Abu Zar! The mountain of Uhud that is before us – if Allah had to change this mountain into gold for me, I would not desire to keep the gold in my possession for even three nights, until I spend all in charity upon the poor, apart from keeping a dinaar aside to pay a debt I have towards the creditor.” (Saheeh Bukhaari #6444)
It was on account of Hazrat Abu Zar Ghifaari (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) looking at Rasulullah’s (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) life of austerity and worldly abstinence, and hearing the severe warnings for those who possess wealth but do not discharge the rights of the wealth and the rights they owe to others in the wealth, that Hazrat Abu Zar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) developed such resentment and hatred towards the dunya that he did not keep wealth and did not like to see people keeping excess wealth.
