ABU DHARR- THE OPPRESSED

Ali bin Ibrahim narrates that during the battle of Tabook Abu Dharr fell
behind the troops because his camel was weak and emaciated. Abu
Dharr abandoned the camel and carrying his luggage on his back proceeded
onwards. When he reached near the group, the people informed
the Prophet (a.s) that someone was seen approaching them from a distance.
The Prophet (a.s) said, “This is Abu Dharr. Fetch water for him
that he might be very thirsty.” When Abu Dharr reached the group, his
thirst was quenched. Abu Dharr then took out a pitcher full of water
from his luggage and presented to the Prophet (a.s). The Prophet (a.s)
asked, “O Abu Dharr! Despite having water with you, you preferred to
remain thirsty. What is the reason for this?” Abu Dharr politely replied,
“I had obtained this water from a cistern on the way. The water was very
sweet and cold. I thought that I must present this water to my Master instead
of consuming it myself.” The Prophet (a.s) replied, “O Abu Dharr!
May Allah be kind to you. You must be patient in your lonely journey,
lonely death, poverty and helplessness. A group of God fearing persons
will perform your last rites and Allah will give you entry to the Heaven.”
Reliable histories are witness that during the Second Caliphate Abu
Dharr was banished to Syria. There, Abu Dharr started publicly criticizing
Emir of Syria for his actions, which were contrary to the norms of
Islam. He also continued to eulogize Hazrat Ali (a.s) in public. In the
mean time the third caliph assumed power when the Emir of Syria
(Muawiah) wrote to him complaining about Abu Dharr. He also mentioned
in his letter that Abu Dharr was critical even of the Caliph. Orders
were passed that Abu Dharr be sent to the capital expressly.
In consequence the thoughtless Emir dispatched this great companion
of the Prophet (a.s) tied on to the naked back of a camel. Abu Dharr arrived
at the court of the Caliph in an emaciated condition and was the recipient
of the following reprimand from the Caliph, “why O Abu Dharr!
You are making false allegations against us and praising Ali ibne Abu
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Talib (a.s)?” Abu Dharr recited a long verse from the Holy Quran, the
gist of which is that Allah will consign the disobedient persons to the
Hell and they should also be warned that Allah is not unmindful of their
deeds. The Caliph rejoined in a furious tone, “O Abu Dharr! Now you
have so much courage that you are confronting me! What is the act that I
have committed against the dictates of Allah and the Prophet (a.s)?” Abu
Dharr said, “Don’t you remember one evening the two of us went to the
presence of the Holy Prophet (a.s) when we noticed that he was very sad
and pensive. When we again went to his presence the next morning we
found him very happy and pleasant. When we asked him to relate to us
the reason for his changing moods, the Prophet said ‘Yesterday the treasury
(Bait al Maal) had four Dhirams. I was concerned that the amount
was the share of some deserving person and it had remained undistributed.
Today the amount has been given to the deserving. I am now satisfied
that the amount has been disbursed.’
“O Caliph of the time! Today you are hoarding 100,000 Dirhams in the
Baith al Maal and are looking for arrival of another 100,000 that you can
bestow favours on your kin.” Someone said, “Abu Dharr is a liar and the
Verses he has quoted are never concerning you (The Third Caliph)”.
Therefore Hazrat Ali (a.s) was called to arbitrate. The Caliph related to
Hazrat Ali (a.s) what had transpired between the parties and asked his
opinion whether Abu Dharr was telling a falsehood?
Hazrat Ali (a.s) said, “Have fear of Allah! I have myself heard the
Prophet (a.s) say that there is none more truthful than Abu Dharr on the
land and under the sky!”
Abu Dharr cried and said, “It is a pity that you are greedy for wealth
and call me a liar. You presume that I have uttered a falsehood concerning
the Prophet (a.s). I am a better person than all of you.” Hazrat Othman
asked Abu Dharr, “How do you feel that you are a better person
than us?” He replied, “From the day I was separated from my Master
(the Prophet) I am wearing the same robe. I have not sold my Faith for
the worldly pleasures. To the contrary, you have compromised your
Faith for your selfish ends. You have created innovations and
squandered Allah’s bounty. You shall have to face retribution on the Day
of Judgement for your acts!” Othman said tersely, “I shall ask you certain
questions under oath!” Abu Dharr replied, “I shall respond to all your
questions, whether under an oath or not.”
Othman took Abu Dharr into privacy and said angrily, “Look! Because
you happen to be a companion of the Prophet (a.s) I cannot get you executed.
But I can definitely banish you. Tell me which town you prefer to
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live in” Abu Dharr replied, “Mecca, which is the place of birth of the
Holy Prophet (a.s)!” Othman asked, “Which is the place you don’t like?”
Abu Dharr replied, “Rabza!” Orders were then issued that Abu Dharr be
exiled to Rabza and that none should accompany him to the place. But
Mohammed Yaqub Kulaini writes that at the time of the departure of
Abu Dharr from Medina, Hazrat Ali (a.s), Hazrat Hussain (a.s), Hazrat
Hassan (a.s), Hazrat Aqeel and Ammar went for some distance with him
and advised him to be patient. Imam Hussain (a.s) told him, “O Uncle!
The enemy wanted to deprive you of your Faith, but he didn’t succeed!
But in the bargain he has lost his own Faith. Allah shall reward you in
abundance!”
Abu Dharr Ghiffari reached Rabza, and lived a lonely existence. He
had neither friend nor helper. He had a few sheep in the beginning that
died in time. His sons succumbed to the harsh environment of the place
and his wife too died. Only one daughter remained with him. For three
long days Abu Dharr remained without any food or sustenance in the
desert. He put his head on a mound of sand and expired. Only his fouryear-
old daughter remained. The child started crying and shouting for
help when a caravan of men arrived there. The girl recalling her father’s
last wish told to the new arrivals, “O travelers! The companion of the
Prophet (a.s) has died and his body is lying for two days without a
shroud and grave!”
The daughter of Abu Dharr says that she remained near the grave of
her father and continued to offer prayers and fasting, as did the father.
She witnessed in her dream one night that Abu Dharr was reciting the
Holy Quran in his nightly prayers. She asked him, “O father! How has
Allah treated you?” He replied, “My daughter! I have arrived in the
presence of my Allah. He is happy with me and I am contented. He has
given me many bounties. O daughter! Do good deeds and don’t let pride
overwhelm you.”
The history of Asam Koofi records that the persons who attended the
burial of Abu Dharr were Ahnaf bin Qais Tamimi, Saasa bin Sauhan
Abdi, Kharja bin Salat Tamimi, Abdallah bin Muslim Tamimi, Bilal bin
Malik Muzni, Jareer bin Abdallah Bijli, Aswad bin Yazid al Naqhi,
Alqama bin Qais al Naqhi and Malik e Ashtar.
Ibne Abdul Birr writes in his book, Al Istiaab, that Abu Dharr died in
31 or 32H and that Abdallah bin Masood performed his funeral prayer.
The group that attended the last rites of Abu Dharr consisted of the
companions of the Holy Prophet (a.s). The chief of the caravan was Malik
e Ashtar. Hearing the wails of the little girl, he couldn’t control
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himself crying. He reached the body of Abu Dharr and recited a requiem.
Malik e Ashtar was carrying with him a shroud that he had
bought for 4,000 Dhirams. He draped the shroud on the body of Abu
Dharr for burial. The gathering raised their hands towards the Heaven
and said, “O Allah! This was your good creature! He was a beloved companion
of Your Prophet (a.s)! Bless him in the name of Mohammed (a.s)
and his holy Progeny! Punish those who have inflicted hardships on this
gentle soul!” The entire gathering said, “Aameen!”