Abu Dharr al-Ghifari: Difference between revisions

Abu Dhar was among the first people who converted to [[Islam]]<ref>Dhahabi, ''Tarikh al-islam'', vol. 3, p. 4-6; Ibn 'Abd al-birr, ''al-Isti'ab'', vol. 1, p. 252.</ref>. According to some narrations he was a [[monotheist]] before the emergence of Islam, he worshiped [[God]] three years before [[Bi'tha]]<ref>Shushtari, ''Qamus al-rijal'', vol. 11, p. 322.</ref>. [[Ibn Habib al-Baghdadi]] maintains that Abu Dhar considered drinking alcohol and [[azlam]] (gambling) unlawful in [[Jahiliyya era]]<ref>Muhammad b. Habib al-Baghdadi, ''al-Muhbar'', p.237.</ref>. After the emergence of Islam, he was among the first people who came to [[Prophet Muhammad (s)]] and converted to [[Islam]]. According to a narration, Abu Dhar said: "I was the forth one who went to Muhammad (s) and converted to Islam, which made him delighted<ref>Sahih Ibn Hayyan,vol.16,p83.</ref>."

As [[Ibn al-'Abbas]] said: "When Abu Dhar became aware of Prophet Muhammad's Prophethood in [[Mecca]], he told his brother, Anis: Inform me about the knowledge of the man who thinks, he receives massages from the sky; listen to him and bring me the news." After visiting Prophet Muhammad (s) Anis returned to his brother. Then Abu Dhar himself went to Mecca to find Muhammad (s). Abu Dhar alongside [['Ali b. Abi Talib (a)]] visited Muhammad (s) in his house. Abu Dhar was the first one who said to Prophet: "Salam upon you, O Messenger of Allah". Then Abu Dhar converted to Islam after articulating [[Shahadatayn]] (Islamic creed declaring belief in the oneness of God and acceptance of Muhammad (s) as God's messenger)<ref>Ibn 'Abd al-Birr, ''al-Isti'ab'', vol. 4, p. 1654.</ref>.

[[Shi'a]] sources reported a different story on Abu Dhar's conversion to Islam. [[Al-Kulayni]] reported a narration from [[Imam al-Sadiq (a)]], in which the story of Abu Dhar's conversion to Islam is mentioned alongside an extraordinary event<ref>Kulayni, ''al-Kafi'', vol. 8, p. 297-298.</ref>.

[[Prophet Muhammad (s)]] said to Abu Dhar: "Well done Abu Dhar, you are a member of [[Ahl al-Bayt (a)]]"<ref>Tusi, ''al-'Amali'', p. 525; Tabrisi, ''Makarim al-akhlaq'', p. 256.</ref>. Elsewhere he said to the effect that Abu Dhar is the most honest person among all people<ref>Majlisi, ''Bihar al-anwar'', vol. 22, p. 404.</ref>. In another occasion, Prophet (s) compared piety and humbleness of Abu Dhar to that of [['Isa b. Maryam (a)]]<ref>Majlisi, ''Bihar al-anwar'', vol. 22, p. 420.</ref>.

Also [[Imam 'Ali (a)]] said, ordinary people are unable to achieve the knowledge of Abu Dhar<ref>Ibn 'Abd al-Birr, ''al-Isti'ab'', vol. 1, p. 255.</ref>. Imam Ali (a) also considers him among those people that [[paradise]] awaits them.<ref>Saduq, ''al-Khisal'', p. 303.</ref>.

[[Imam al-Baqir (a)]] said: After Prophet Muhammad (s) had passed away, everybody became apostate and left 'Ali b. Abi Talib (a) except three people: [[Salman al-Farsi]], Abu Dar and [[Miqdad]]. [['Ammar b. Yasir]] was doubtful at first; however he returned to Imam 'Ali (a)<ref> Mufid, ''al-Ikhtisas'', p. 10.</ref>.

[[Imam al-Sadiq (a)]] said about Abu Dhar's worship: the main part of his worship was thinking. He cried in the fear of Allah so much that he hurt his eyes<ref>Al-Khisal,p40 and 42.</ref>. Abu Dhar also said: I like three things that people hate: death, poverty and affliction. Imam al-Sadiq (a) explained, Abu Dhar meant death by the order of Allah is better than living a sinful life; affliction in obeying Allah is better than health in disobeying Allah; and poverty in obeying Allah is better than committing sins in a prosperous life<ref>Kulayni, ''al-Kafi'', vol. 8, p. 22.</ref>.

In [[Shi'a]] sources Abu Dhar is considered as one of the four pillars of Islam, alongside Salman al-Farsi, Miqdad and 'Ammar b. Yasir<ref>Tusi, ''al-Rijal'', p. 598; Mufid, ''al-Ikhtisas'', p. 6-7.</ref>. [[Al-Shaykh al-Mufid]] has narrated a hadith from [[Imam al-Kazim (a)]]: On the [[Day of Judgment]], a caller will call: Where are the disciples of Prophet Muhammad (s) those who did not break their promise; and then Salman, Abu Dhar and Miqdad would stand up<ref>Mufid, ''al-Ikhtisas'', p. 61.</ref>.

[[Aqa Buzurg Tihrani]], mentioned two books about characteristics and life of Abu Dhar: ''Akhbar Abi Dhar'' by [[Abu Mansur Zafar b. Hamdun Badra'i]]<ref>Agha Buzurg, ''Al-Dhari'a'', vol. 1, p. 316.</ref> and ''Akhbar Abi Dhar al-Ghifari wa fada'iluh'' by [[Al-Shaykh al-Saduq]]<ref>Agha Buzurg, ''al-Dhari'a'' , vol. 1, p. 317.</ref>.

[[Sayyid 'Ali Khan Madani]] wrote on Abu Dhar: "He was a notable scholar and a grand ascetic, who would give away 400 dinars [an old currency in Arab countries] every year and never saved any for himself<ref>Madani, ''al-Darajat al-rafi'a'', p. 226.</ref>."

[[Sayyid Bahr al-'Ulum]] considered Abu Dhar as one of the disciples of the Prophet Muhammad (s); He always tried to inform people about the virtues of [[Ahl al-Bayt (a)]] and criticized their enemies<ref>Bahr ul-'Ulum, ''al-Fawa'id al-rijaliyya'', vol. 2, p. 49.</ref>.

As al-Irbili narrated, Abu Dhar chooses [['Ali b. Abi Talib]] as his executor of his will and said: By Allah, 'Ali b. Abi Talib is my executor. By Allah, although his right was usurped in [[caliphate]], you will find peace and blessing with him<ref>Kashf ul-ghumma, vol.1, p353.</ref>. [[Ibn Abi l-Hadid]] said: Abu Dhar told Ibn Rafi' in al-Rabadha, fear only Allah, soon a conspiracy will happen, you should support Imam 'Ali (a)<ref>Ibn Abi al-Hadid, ''Sharh Nahj al-balagha'', vol. 228.</ref>. Abu Dhar also attended the funeral of [[Lady Fatima (a)]] which took place at midnight<ref>Ya'qubi, ''Tarikh al-Ya'qubi'', vol.2, p. 115.</ref>.

At the beginning of [[Abu Bakr]]'s Caliphate, Abu Dhar refused to pay [[Bay'a]] (oath of allegiance) to him, in order to support 'Ali b. Abi Talib (a)<ref>Ya'qubi, ''Tarikh al-Ya'qubi'', Translated by Ayati, vol. 1, p. 524.</ref>.

In the time of the second caliph, [['Umar b. al-Khattab|'Umar]], he refused to accept a total ban on narrating/writing [[hadith]]. In response Abu Dhar said: By Allah, if they threaten me by sword to stop narrating hadiths from [[Prophet Muhammad (s)]], I would rather die than stop narrating Prophet's hadith<ref>Ibn Sa'd, ''Tabaqat al-kubra'', vol. 2, p. 354.</ref>. That is why Abu Dhar and other narrators of hadith were imprisoned<ref>Ibn Habban, al-Majruhin, vol. 1, p. 35.</ref>.

As Ibn Abi l-Hadid said, Abu Dhar was exiled to [[Syria]] because he complained to [['Uthman]], the [[third caliph]], about giving the treasury money to [[Marwan b. Hakam]], [[Zayd b. Thabit]] and others as a gift. He said: "Abu Dhar was shouting in streets and complained to 'Uthman. As a result, 'Uthman exiled him to Syria<ref>Ibn Abi al-Hadid, ''Sharh Nahj al-balagha'', vol.8, p.256.</ref>."

However Abu Dhar made some social groups and informed people about the characteristics and virtues of Prophet Muhammad (s) and [[Ahl al-Bayt (a)]]. On the other hand, [[Mu'awiya]] prohibited people from meeting Abu Dhar and reported his activities to 'Uthman. Therefore, he was returned to [[Medina]]<ref>Amin, ''A'yan al-Shi'a'', vol.4, p. 237.</ref>.

Abu Dar met 'Uthman in Medina, where he refused his gift and criticized his actions again. Then 'Uthman lost his patience with him and exiled him to al-Rabadha in the worst possible condition, which is mentioned in many historical books<ref>Ya'qubi, ''Tarikh al-Ya'qubi'', vol. 1, p. 171-172; Ibn Sa'd, ''Tabaqat al-kubra'', vol.4, p. 226; Tabari, ''Tarikh al-Tabari'', vol. 3, p. 336.</ref>.

Abu Dhar passed away in [[Dhu l-Hijja]] [[32]]/653, in [[al-Rabadha]], in the time of 'Uthman's caliphate<ref>Tabari, ''Tarikh al-Tabari'', vol. 3, p. 354.</ref>. As [[Ibn Kathir]] said, no one was with him unless his wife and his child when he passed away<ref>Ibn Kathir, ''al-Bidaya wa al-nihaya'', vol. 7, p. 185.</ref>. Al-Zirikli said, when he passed away his family did not have anything for enshrouding his body<ref>Al-A'lam, vol.2, p140</ref>. Mihran b. Maymun said: "All the property of Abu Dhar valued only about two dirhams [an old currency in Arab countries less valuable than dinar]"<ref>Amin, ''A'yan al-Shi'a'', vol.4, p. 229.</ref>.

It is said, when Umm Dhar was crying she said to Abu Dhar: You die in desert and I have nothing to enshroud your body. He replied: Do not cry and be happy, for [[Prophet Muhammad (s)]] said one of you will die in desert and he will be buried by a group of Muslims. The others have passed away in cities and I am the only one left, and I die in desert; Prophet Muhammad (s) was talking about me<ref>Amin, ''A'yan al-Shi'a'', vol. 4, p. 241.</ref>.

When he died [['Abd Allah b. Mas'ud]] and a number of [[Ansar]], [[Hujr b. 'Adi]], [[Malik al-Ashtar]] and several young Muslims, were passing the desert and coincidentally they noticed Abu Dhar. Therefore, they enshrouded his body and buried him and [['Abd Allah b. Mas'ud]] performed [[Funeral Prayer|Funeral prayer]] on his body<ref>Ibn 'Abd al-Birr, ''Al-Isti'ab'', vol. 1, p. 253; Tabaqat khalifa bin khayyat, p71. Al-Thiqat, vol.3, p55</ref>.

Al-Harbi, in ''al-Manasik'', said there was a masjid in al-Rabadha under the name of Abu Dhar; and it is said that the grave of Abu Dhar was in that masjid.<ref>Harbi, ''al-Manasik'', p. 327</ref>

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