| I find Abu Dharr al-Ghafaari one of the most interesting personalities from
among the Sahaabah. He was known for his asceticism and admonitions. It is narrated in Abu Na`im's al-Hilyah that
someone asked Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) "O Abu Dharr, why do
people leave your company upset every time they visit you?" He replied, 'They
leave upset because I admonish them against hoarding the treasures of this
world.'"
The following is one of his admonitions narrated by Sufyaan ath-Thawree (May
Allah be pleased with him) as related in al-Hilyah of Abu Na`im:
"O people, I am Jandab'ul Ghafaari. Come here and hearken to the good advice of
your compassionate older brother." Immediately, people hastened and stood around him to hear what he had
to say. Abu Dharr then said, "Do you see, when one of you plans to travel,
doesn't he prepare himself and takes with him the needed provisions that will
suffice him until he reaches his destination?" The people replied, 'Indeed, he
does.' Abu Dharr continued, "In this regard, the road to the Day of Reckoning is
the furthest of your ultimate destinations. Take with you what benefits you the
most." The people asked, 'And what do you consider as most beneficial for such a
journey?'"
Abu Dharr replied:
1) Make a pilgrimage to Makkah for your dire needs;
2) Fast in the hottest day in contemplation of the horrific age-old standing of
the Day of Resurrection;
3) Pray two Rakah (units) in the darkness of the night in contemplation of one's
bewilderment, loneliness, and darkness of his grave;
4) Either say something good, or remain silent pondering on awesome age-long
standing in the grim silence of the Day of Resurrection;
5) Spend your money in charity, so perhaps you can escape its trials;
6) Make this world a setting for two types of conferences: One to seek the
benefits of the hereafter, and the other to seek what is permissible. Should
there be a third criteria of meetings, they will be of harm and of no benefit to
you; and finally,
7) Look to your money and divide it in two categories: One dirham you spend on
your family, the second you spend for your benefits in the hereafter, and should
there be left a third dirham, it will be of harm and of no benefit to you."
Abu Dharr then shouted at the top of his voice: "O people! Your craving to
accumulate what is beyond your reach will surely destroy you."
Source: www.jannah.org
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