Sayings of the Salaf » ‘Abdullah b. Al-Mubârak

The scholar, the ruler, and your brother

Abû ‘Abdillâh Owais Al-Hâshimi — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 11:21:11 +0000

It is reported that ‘Abdullâh b. Al-Mubârak – Allâh have mercy on him – said:

It is right that an intelligent person does not undervalue three [types of people]: the scholars, the rulers, and [his Muslim] brothers. Whoever undervalues the scholars will lose his afterlife, whoever undervalues the rulers will lose his worldly life, and whoever undervalues his brothers loses his good character and conduct.

Al-Dhahabî, Siyar A’lâm Al-Nubalâ`17:251.

The Borrowed Pen [trustworthiness]

Abû ‘Abdillâh Owais Al-Hâshimi — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:42:17 +0000

It is reported that ‘Abdullâh b. Al-Mubârak said, “I once borrowed a pen in Al-Shâm (Transjordan) and went to return it. But when I came back to Marwu (Eng. Merv , in Central Asia) I saw that I still had it, so I went back to Al-Shâm to return it to its owner.”

Al-Dhahabî, Siyar A’lâm Al-Nubalâ`, Vol. 8 p395.

The Narrations are the Religion

Abû ‘Abdillâh Owais Al-Hâshimi — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:17:35 +0000

It is reported that Muhammad b. Sîrîn said, “They used to consider themselves on the [right] path as long as they followed al-athar (guidance of the Sunnah and Salaf as passed down in the narrations).”

Al-Lâlakâ`î, Sharh Usûl I’tiqâd Ahl Al-Sunnah wa Al-Jamâ’ah Vol.1 p120.

It is reported that ‘Uthmân b. Hâdir said, “I said to Ibn ‘Abbâs: ‘advise me.’ He replied, ‘It is upon you to be upright, follow al-athar, and beware of innovating [in religion].’”

Ibn Battah, Al-Ibânah Al-Kubrâ Vol. 1 p214.

It is reported that ‘Abdullâh b. Al-Mubârak said, “Let it only be the narrations (al-athar) that you rely upon, and take from reasoning and opinion that amount that will help you to understand and explain hadîth.”

Ibn ‘Abd Al-Barr, Jâmi’ Bayân Al-‘Ilm wa Fadlihi Vol. 3 p329.

It is reported that Sufyân Al-Thawrî said, “The narrations (al-âthâr) are the religion.”

And it is reported that he also said, “A man should not even scratch his head except based on a narration.”

Al-Harawî, Dhamm Al-Kalâm wa Ahlihî Vol. 2 p264.

It is reported that Al-Musayyib b. Râfi’ Al-Asadî said, “We only follow, we do not innovate; we follow behind and do not start anything [in the religion], and we will never stray as long as we adhere to the narrations.”

Al-Harawî, Dhamm Al-Kalâm wa Ahlihî Vol. 2 p265.

Giving to spread Knowledge

Abû ‘Abdillâh Owais Al-Hâshimi — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 20:05:00 +0000

It is reported that ‘Abdullâh b. Al-Mubârak – Allâh’s mercy be upon him – was criticized for spending on [other people in] other lands and not his own. In response, he said, “I know the locations of virtuous, sincere and truthful people who seek and study hadîth and do it well because people are in need of them. They are needy, and if we leave them, their knowledge will be lost; but if we help them, they will spread knowledge to the Ummah of Muhammad – Allâh’s peace and blessings be upon him. I do not know of anything more virtuous, after Prophecy, than spreading knowledge.”

Al-Dhahabî, Siyar A’lâm Al-Nubalâ`, in his biography of ‘Abdullâh b. Al-Mubârak.

I sit with the Salaf

Abû ‘Abdillâh Owais Al-Hâshimi — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 10:28:00 +0000

It is reported from Nu’aym b. Hammâd:

‘Abdullah b. Al-Mubârak used to often stay at home, so he was asked, “Don’t you get lonely?” He replied, “How could I get lonely when I am with the Prophet – Allâh’s peace and blessings be upon him (i.e. I read his hadîth)?”

Also on the authority of Nu’aym b. Hammâd:

It was once said to ‘Abdullah b. Al-Mubârak, “O Abû ‘Abd Al-Rahmân, you often sit alone at home.” He said, “I am alone? I am with the Prophet – Allâh’s peace and blessings be upon him – and his Companions.” Meaning: reading hadîth.

Ibn ‘Asâkir, Târîkh Dimishq Vol. 32 p458.

Shaqîq b. Ibrâhîm reports:

It was once said to ‘Abdullah b. Al-Mubârak, “After you have prayed with us you don’t sit with us?” He replied, “I go and sit with the Sahâbah and the Tâbi’în.” We said, “And how can you sit with the Sahâbah and Tâbi’în (when they have all passed away)?” He replied, “I go and read the knowledge I have collected, I find their narrations and deeds. What would I do with you? You sit around backbiting people.”

Al-Dhahabî, Siyar A’lâm Al-Nubalâ` in his biography of ‘Abdullah b. Al-Mubârak.