Chosen Saints of God and the Bigoted Mullas — Page 7
This spirit of branding saintly persons as heretics and apostates, caused many a renouned personality and notable sages of the front rank to perish under the sword of the executioner. . Many distinguished thinkers, famous commentators, reputable scholars, distinguished philosophers, splendid orators and eminent sages became the prey to this perverted mentality of the bigoted. Mulla. Men, in their time held up the torch of truth and were the embodiments of the Islamic way of life, were pronounced as heretics, renegades and apostates and, therefore, ruthlessly murdered. . This heresy-framing institution has been a continuous cause of heart-rending episodes demanding patience and perseverance from the truth-loving and peace-promoting torch bearers of true. Islam the sincere devotees of Allah and the true followers of the Holy Prophet. They came out of these trials with flying colours upholding the banners of truth. The Gracious Allah crowned their efforts with His pleasure of acceptance and granted them the highest places of honour among His own elite. . We shall now give a little detailed account of this doleful aspect in the history of Islam which is heart-rending as well as faith-inspiring. . The first century Hijra (1) ABDULLAH IBN 'ABBAS (born 3 H. and died 68 Hijra) is known to be a very brilliant scholar and an authentic commentator of the Holy Quran. He was also a notable companion of the Holy Prophet who used to call him an 'Interpretor of the. Quran'. History of Islam proves that he became a prey for the heresy-framing priest class. But he paid no attention to them and continued making progress in attaining the pleasure of Allah. . It is mentioned that some of his contemporaries used to call him a heretic and an infidel. (Weekly 'Khursheed': Sandela: 25th. February, 1938) (2) THE PRINCE OF MARTYRS, IMAM HUSSAIN (born 4 H. martyred 61 Hijra), the grandson of the Holy Prophet and the son of his daughter Fatima, was the first person from the holy 7