Around the year 725 CE (100 After Hijrah), the great tabi’I
scholar ash-Sha’bi walked by the local marketplace in Kufah, Iraq when he
noticed a young merchant there in his early 20’s. Thinking this young man was
one of the students of knowledge in his study circles, he asked this young man,
“Whose classes are you attending?”
To which this young man replied “Nobody’s” – implying that
he is a merchant and not a student of knowledge, as the Shaikh thought.
To this, Shaikh ash-Sha’bi responded, “But I see signs of
intelligence in you – you should sit in the company of learned men (scholars)”.
Those words moved this young man’s heart, and made him have
deep thoughts contemplating his future. Since then, he made the decision to
completely undertake the pursuit of knowledge and eventually became one of the
greatest scholars of Fiqh in Islamic history.
This young man was none other than Nu’man ibn Thabit –
otherwise known as Imam Abu Hanifah: the scholar of whom the Hanafi Mazhab is
attibuted to.
Those concise yet encouraging words of ash-Sha’bi had such a
profound impact on this man that it triggered him to become the greatest in his
field until this day.
In a more recent example, Shaikh Muhammad Al-Arifi, author
of the book “Enjoy Your Life”, once gave a talk to a group of school children.
He asked the children, did anyone know of a hadith (sayings of the Prophet
Muhammad ﷺ) regarding the importance of the prayer. One of the children
responded, by accurately quoting the hadith: “Between a man, and
disbelief/polytheism is to abandon the prayer”.
Shaikh Al-Arifi was so impressed by his response and
enthusiasm, that he instinctively gave his watch to the boy. The incident moved
the boy so much that it encouraged him to study more eagerly and memorize the
Qur’an as he had developed a feeling of self-worth.
Years passed by and Shaikh Al-Arifi went to a mosque, found
out about a young man who was the imam of a mosque, a graduate in Shari’ah
college and was working in one of the official courts. The Shaikh didn’t
recognize him at first, but this young man then identified himself with the
Shaikh on how the Shaikh had an impact on his life : this was the same boy who
was gifted with his watch many years ago!
Notice now, that these weren’t great lengthy speeches, sermons or a lectures
– just small words and gestures of encouragement. In fact, even the smallest
gestures of kindness can inspire others. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
was a master at this – the way he treated his companions, young or old, rich or poor, family or friend, from the
slave to the noble – his choice of words would always have a positive impact
and mark on others.
Which should really make us ponder, how much efforts have we
done to inspire others?
As parents, husbands, wives, uncles, aunties, brothers,
sisters, friends, teachers, classmates, or colleagues to others – we can all do
that extra something to make a difference.
It doesn’t take a great deal of academic knowledge, just a
sincere yearning and passion to encourage others around us.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
said:
“لاَ تَحْقِرَنَّ مِنَ
الْمَعْرُوفِ شَيْئًا وَلَوْ أَنْ تَلْقَى أَخَاكَ بِوَجْهٍ طَلْقٍ”
“Do not belittle or consider insignificant any good deeds
that you do, even if it is to meet your brother with a cheerful face”
(Narrated by Muslim)
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