The Outset of Dissension in Islam — Page 34
34 H A D RAT MIRZA BASHIR-UD-DIN MAHMUD AHMAD in particular? Only, so that he may usurp the right that Muslims have over these funds and after neglecting their share, so that he may devour this wealth himself. ” Hadrat Ab u Dharr ra was already actively engaged in exhorting that the affluent should distribute all their wealth among the poor because the true abode of comfort for the beleivers is the hereafter. He was absolutely unaware of the mischief and motive of this person. As a result, he fell victim to his deception and actually began to think, that it was wrong to refer to the funds of baitul-m a l as being the wealth of Allah, because there was a danger of the usurpation of wealth. In this manner, Ibni Saud a ’ took revenge from Hadrat Mu‘ a wiyah ra for not affording him an opportunity to develop a stronghold in Syria. Hadrat Ab u Dharr ra went to Mu‘ a wiyah ra and admonished him, “You refer to the wealth of Muslims, as being the wealth of Allah!” To this, he replied: “O Ab u Dharr! May Allah the Exalted have mercy on you, are we not all the servants of Allah? Is this wealth not the wealth of Allah? Is all creation not the creation of Allah the Exalted? Is true authority not in the hands of God?” In other words, when the servants belong to God and it is His authority which reigns supreme then how would the rights of people be neglected by calling this wealth, the wealth of Allah? The rights which God the Exalted has fixed shall be given to His creation according to His command. This reply was so profound that Hadrat Ab u Dharr ra was completely speechless. However, since he possessed special fervour in this regard and Ibni Saud a had planted a doubt in his heart, out of caution, he advised