a great Example

From the hadith of Abu Huraira, the Prophet, salah allahu ’alayhi wa salam, said:

Verily Allah does not look to your faces and your wealth but
He looks to your heart and to your deeds

[Sahih Muslim]

I read this hadith, and I remembered the example of ’Abdullah bin Mas’ood, may Allah be pleased with him.

Abu Moosa Al-Ash’aari said, ‘When my brother and I came from Yemen, we thought for a long time that Ibn Mas’ood was from Ahlul Bait (the Prophet’s family) from the amount of times we saw him and his mother sitting with the Prophet (s.a.w.)’* 

As for his appearance, you would be amazed. He was so thin that if a strong wind were to blow, it would knock him to the ground. He climbed a tree once and the Sahabah laughed when they saw how skinny his thighs were, so the Prophet, salah allahu ’alayhi wa salam, told them: ”…they are heavier on the scale than mountain of Uhud”.

Although his appearance caused others to laugh, it was his faith, sincerity, and deeds that weighed heavily with Allah! He was unbelievably poor that his own wife asked the Prophet to give her zakat to him. He had no family influence. Yet, he stood out between all the Sahabah for his knowledge, love, and loyalty! He learned the Qur’an, its verses, and became one of the most knowledgeable of the Prophet’s companions. He was asked to recite the Qur’an to the Prophet…amazing!

This was the like of the Sahabah. Appearances weren’t their main goal or cause of happiness. Therefore, be careful of worldly perceptions, and concentrate more with what matters with Allah. Don’t be too consumed with life and its vanities. Remember that the most honored with Allah are those who are highest in taqwa (piety). It matters not whether a person is rich or poor, pretty or not, socially popular or unpopular –  it is piety that lasts. This is was the example of Ibn Mas’ood, may Allah be pleased with him.

إن كنت تغدو في الذنـوب جليـدا … وتخاف في يوم المعاد وعيـدا
فلقـد أتاك من المهيمـن عـفـوه … وأفاض من نعم عليك مزيـدا
لا تيأسن من لطف ربك في الحشا … في بطن أمك مضغة ووليـدا
لو شــاء أن تصلى جهنم خالـدا … ما كان أَلْهمَ قلبك التوحيــدا