In the Name of Allāh.
Let’s reflect upon the piety of ‘Abdur-Raḥmān Ibn ‘Awf (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu), a Ṣaḥābi (companion) of the Prophet (ﷺ) whose faith and devotion shine like a beacon in the darkness of ignorance. Despite his great wealth and noble status such as being one of the ‘Asharah al-Mubashsharūn, ‘Abdur-Raḥmān was never arrogant, proud, and never forgot the sacrifices of those who had gone before him.
Sa’d Ibn Ibrāhīm reported from his father that food was brought to ‘Abdur-Raḥmān Ibn ‘Awf to break his fast. He said, “Muṣ’ab Ibn ‘Umayr was martyred, and he was better than me, yet he was shrouded in a Burda (i.e. a sheet) such that, if his head was covered, his feet became naked, and if his feet were covered, his head became naked.” ‘Abdur-Raḥmān added, “Ḥamzah was martyred and he was better than me. Then worldly wealth was bestowed upon us and we were given thereof too much. We are afraid that the rewards of our deeds have been given to us in this life.” ‘Abdur-Raḥmān then started weeping so much that he left the food.
He wept! Tears of humility, tears of gratitude, for Allāh had blessed him, and yet, he feared that these blessings had been given to him in this life rather than in the Hereafter. The fear of Allāh drove him to such tears. In his tears lies the path to Paradise, to the Mercy and the Grace of Allāh, the Most Glorious.
Indeed, we are all but servants of Allāh, and our wealth, our status, our possessions; they are but the gifts of the Most High, to be used for His Glory, to seek His Pleasure, and for the betterment of our fellow Muslims. As ‘Abdur-Raḥmān (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu) so beautifully demonstrated, true greatness lies not in the material trappings of this world, but instead in the heart that beats for Allāh, that fears His Judgment, that weeps at the thought of falling short of His Grace.
Thus, we should never forget that a person’s true measure is not in the size of their bank account or the number of things they possess, but rather in the depth of their faith, the strength of their character, and the humbleness of their spirit. Let’s strive to be like ‘Abdur-Raḥmān (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu), to walk in his footsteps, to carry the torch of righteousness and humility into the darkness of ignorance and pride.
I beseech Allāh to make us follow the example of ‘Abdur-Raḥmān Ibn ‘Awf and to find in our hearts the humility, the consciousness, and the love that are the hallmarks of true faith. Aameen.
Picture Credit: Freepik
