Story of Abu Darda (May Allah be pleased with him)

 *Story of Abu Darda* 

*(May Allah be pleased with him)*

*Abu Darda (رضي الله عنه) was one of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ .*

*His full name was Uwaimir bin Zaid bin Qais. He was a trader in Medina. He was a man of simplicity and kindness.*

*He was a well-known wealthy person in Medina and everyone liked and respected him. Abu Darda (رضي الله عنه) was not a born Muslim.*

*However, after the Battle of Badr, he got converted into Islam. His preaching's were basically focused on the insignificance of worldly wealth. (الحمد لله)*

*Abu Darda (رضي الله عنه) always enlightened the youth with his great wisdom. Once Abu Darda (رضي الله عنه) was walking through the street and found a group of youth sitting and chatting. They were also looking at the passerby. Abu Darda (رضي الله عنه) walked to them and said "My children, the monastery of a Muslim man is his house in which he control himself and lowers his gaze. Beware of sitting in the marketplace as this fritters away time in vain pursuits."*

*He once said: "None of you can be pious unless he is knowledgeable, and he cannot enjoy knowledge unless he applies it practically."*

*Once a friend went to visit him at his home. On reaching Abu Darda's house he realized that the house was very small, shorter than the whole height of a standing man. Abu Darda (رضي الله عنه) lived in a very poor environment and he had very few belongings. When the friend saw the state of his house, he was sad. He was said: "Why are you living like a poor man?"*

*Abu Darda (رضي الله عنه) replied, "Don't worry my dear friend. This is just a temporary home. I'm building a better house somewhere else."  The friend thought it was true, and left the house.*

*A few years later, the same friend went back and found Abu Darda's (رضي الله عنه) home in the same state. He asked Abu Darda (رضي الله عنه) that why he hadn't moved to the better house. It was then Abu Darda (RA) revealed him that the house he referred to, was the Kabr. The friend understood the nobility of this person, and thanked him for teaching him a lesson.*

*Once, Abu Darda (رضي الله عنه) was travelling from his home to a nearby place. There he saw a group of people beating up a man. When he approached the mob, he saw that the man was beaten and berated by them. He was helpless. He wished all the men standing there in a gentle voice. "Assalamu alaikum"  "Walaikum assalam, our beloved Abu Darda."*

*They wished him back with great respect with his calm and polite voice, he asked one of them: "My son, may I know what is happening here? Why are you all beating this man?"* 

*The man replied: "Beloved Abu Darda, this man did something against the law. He committed a grievous sin. That's why we are punishing him."*

*Abu Darda (رضي الله عنه) was silent for a moment and sighed. The man in the middle was eagerly looking at Abu Darda (رضي الله عنه) for mercy.  Abu Darda (رضي الله عنه) looked at everyone standing there and said: "All right my dear children." If this man fell into a well, won't you help him to get out of the well?*

*One man came forward and said: "Sure, yes."*

*Abu Darda (رضي الله عنه) said: "Then you should treat this man in the same way"*

*"You should instruct him and convince him about the sin he was committed. You should show him the right path."*

*"Give thanks to Allah as he always forgives your sin"*

*A man came forward then and asked him: "Don't you hate him?"*

*Abu Darda (رضي الله عنه) replied in a clam voice. "I hate his deeds not him. He has to stop his sinful actions. If he gives up all his sins, then he is my brother."*

*On hearing Abu Darda's (رضي الله عنه) kind words, the sinful man realized his mistake and started crying. He repented, and led a good life afterwards. Abu Darda (رضي الله عنه) was a famous merchant once upon a time. But after he met the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ he lost his interest in doing business, and he was always found accompanying the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.*

*Once, his friend asked him why he is not showing interest in his business anymore.*

*He replied: "Before I met the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, I was a merchant. Then, after converting to Islam, I tried to lead a life of prayers along with my business. Then I realized that I was not able to give my full devotion to Allah because of my business. I didn't want my business affect my bond with Allah. That's why I chose to stay close to Allah rather than my business."*

*Abu Darda (رضي الله عنه) made himself free from a lot of worldly attachments. On a very cold night,  some pilgrims visited his house. Abu Darda asked the pilgrims to spend the night at his house. Abu Darda (RA) gave them a warm meal, but did not give them a blanket. When they were about to go to sleep, they realized that Abu Darda (رضي الله عنه)  had not given them any blankets. One man from the pilgrim group wanted to ask Abu Darda (رضي الله عنه) about the blanket. But others discouraged him and told them not to disturb him, as he must be sleeping.. But the man didn't listen to them, and went straight to Abu Darda's room. There he found him lying down on the floor with his wife sleeping besides him. They both were sleeping without a blanket as well.*

*The next day morning, the man went straight to Abu Darda (رضي الله عنه) and asked, why he slept in the cold night without covering himself with a blanket..*

*He asked Abu Darda (رضي الله عنه) : "Being a businessman, where is your wealth and possessions?"*

*Abu Darda (رضي الله عنه) replied to the man, "I shifted all my valuables to the other house in the village. I am collecting all the required possessions into that house."*

*Abu Darda (RA) also said, "If there were any blanket here, I would definitely given that to you."*

*The man realized what he had meant. He bowed down respectfully and left his house. Abu Darda (رضي الله عنه) did not leave the trade altogether. He just left the world ornaments and glory. He needed a bite of bread, which was enough to strengthen the body, and rough clothes to cover the body.*

*During the times of Caliph Umar (رضي الله عنه) Abu Darda (رضي الله عنه) was selected as a high-ranking official in Sham. However, Abu Darda (رضي الله عنه) rejected the appointment. Caliph Umar (رضي الله عنه) asked him the reason for his decision. Abu Darda (رضي الله عنه) said: "If you want me to go Sham, then I'm going to teach them the Holy Quran and I will ask them to pray along with me."*

*The Caliph agreed, and Abu Darda (رضي الله عنه)  carried out his mission successfully. Then , Abu Darda (رضي الله عنه) went to Damascus. There he found the people leading an immoral life. They drank too much and were completely immersed in luxury and pleasures of the world. Seeing this, Abu Darda (رضي الله عنه) became very sad. Therefore, he called the crowed to the mosque, and then spoke to them. He made a very spiritual and emotional speech in the Mosque. He reminded them of the evil life they were living. He taught them about the commandant of Allah. He advised them the need of leading a holy life with the Holy Quran as the foundation of their life. He taught them about the love of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ . On hearing the speech of Abu Darda (رضي الله عنه) the crowd started crying. His speech had created a strong feeling of repentance in their heart. Their cry could be heard outside the mosque. Everyone gathered at the mosque changed their way of life that day. From that day, Abu Darda (رضي الله عنه)  regularly visited the assemblies of Damascus community and visited the markets.*

*People used to come and ask him questions on various matters. He answered every question and enlightened them with his wisdom. He even found time to teach the negligent in the street. He used all the opportunities available to teach the public about the Holy Quran. Once a youth came up to Abu Darda (رضي الله عنه)  and asked him to teach him.*

*Abu Darda (رضي الله عنه) said: "My son, remember Allah in good times and He will remember you in times of misfortune."*

*"My son, be knowledgeable, seek knowledge, be a good listener and do not be ignorant for you will be ruined."*

*While Abu Darda (رضي الله عنه) was in Damascus, Mu'awiyah ibn Abi Sufyan (رضي الله عنه), the governor, asked Abu Darda to get his daughter married to his son, Yazid (رضي الله عنه). The governor thought that Abu Darda (رضي الله عنه) would agree immediately, as his family held a great power. But Abu Darda (رضي الله عنه) did not agree his proposal. Instead, he got his daughter married to a young man who was very poor. He did not care about the wealth or the power of the governor. Abu Darda was pleased with the young man's character and his attachment to Islam, and that's why he got his daughter married to him.*

*The End...*

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