The Outset of Dissension in Islam — Page 33
33 Hence, he was forced to move on from Syria with regret and despair. Thus, he turned towards Egypt, but prior to leaving Syria he instigated another mischief. Ab u Dharr Ghif a r i ra was an extremely pious and righteous man from among the pioneer Companions of the Holy Prophet sa. From the moment that he accepted Islam, his steps only advanced forward in the love of the Holy Prophet sa. He remained in the company of the Holy Prophet sa for a long period in time. Everyone possesses a unique disposition. Thus, upon hearing the admonition of the Holy Prophet sa that a believer should remain detached from the world, according to his own disposition, he viewed the accumulation of wealth as being unlawful and abhorred riches. He would also admonish others not to accumulate wealth and to distribute whatever they possessed amongst the poor. He had always held fast to this habit. Even in the era of Hadrat Ab u Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, when the Muslims became affluent, he held the same view. When Ibni Saud a ’ was passing through Syria, he noticed an extreme ebullience in his nature against wealth and his desire for the poor, as well as the rich, to distribute their wealth. Thus, upon travelling through Syria, he met with Hadrat Ab u Dharr ra , who resided there at the time, and said to him: “Look at the injustice, Mu‘ a wiyah ra refers to the riches of baitul-m a l 32 as being the wealth of Allah, although the funds of baitul-m a l are not the only wealth that belongs to Allah; everything belongs to Allah the Exalted. Then why does he declare these funds to be the wealth of Allah 32. National Treasury of the Islamic State [Publishers]