FAITHFULNESS - TEXT

FAITHFULNESS

(vii)

     Once Hazrat Umar (RA), sitting in the Masjid of Rasool (SAW), was busy in the affairs of the state. Two young men, holding a strong and sturdy countryman, appeared before him. They complained to Harzat Umar (RA) that the person had murdered their old father. They demanded justice by punishing the murderer of his crime.

(viii) 

     The Caliph looked at the young man and said, "You have heard the charge leveled against you. What have you to say in your defence?" The villager replied, "Commander of the Faithful, I plead guilty to the charge. I was leading my beloved camel. When I reached a garden and halted to rest, the camel nipped a few leaves off the hanging branch of a tree. The old man, on seeing this, hurled a stone at the camel with all his might. The stone caught the camel on the side of the head. It reeled and fell down dead. The camel was very dear to me. I could not control my anger, so I took the same stone that had killed my dear camel and hurled it at the old man with all my strength. The stone hit the old man on the head and subsequently killed him. At this, these two young men came to me and I surrendered myself to them."

(ix) 

Caliph: As you have confessed to your crime, there is no need of witnesses. You are, therefore, sentenced to death.

Villager: I accept this sentence but request you to delay the execution for three days.

Caliph: Why do you ask for delay in the execution of the sentence?

Villager: My father at his death left some gold for my younger brother who is too young to be told about the place where I hid it. I have buried the gold in the earth in a field and no one knows the place. If my brother, on account of my death, does not get his due share, I shall be called to account on the Day of Judgment for being dishonest. Be kind and grant me three days' time. After handing over the gold to a trustee, I will return to face death.

Caliph: Have you anyone who can stand as surety and who will be willing to suffer death if you fail to return?

Villager: (Looking at the people present in the court and pointing to Hazrat Abuzar Ghaffari RA). This gentleman will stand as my surety.

Caliph: (Addressing Hazrat Abuzar Ghaffari RA). Do you agree to stand as surety?

Hazrat Abuzar Ghaffari (RA): I do.

     Hazrat Abuzar Ghaffari (RA) was a highly respected Sahabi. The Caliph accepted him as the surety. Both the accusers also agreed to it, and the criminal was allowed to leave.

(x)

    The third day dawned. The accusers and the surety were present at the Masjid of the Rasool (SAW). They were waiting for the criminal. As time passed, Sahabah (RA) felt anxious for the fate of Hazrat Abuzar Ghaffari (RA). When only an hour remained, both the accusers came forward and demanded from Hazrat Abuzar Ghaffari (RA) their man.

Hazrat Abuzar Ghaffari (RA): Wait a little more. There is still time, if he does not come, I will give my life in his stead to fulfill justice.

Caliph: In case the murderer does not return, the law will have its course.

     Hearing this, the Sahabah (RA) became more anxious for the safety of Hazrat Abuzar Ghaffari (RA) and their eyes were filled with tears. Some requested the accusers to accept blood money. But they refused, saying, "Our demand is life for life."

(xi) 

     When the whole court was in a worried state of mind, the villager reached there perspiring from head to foot. As he entered, he saluted the Caliph and said, 'Allah be praised for His mercy. I was able to make my uncle trustee of the gold. As you see I am right in time, do not delay the execution.'

     All the people present there were astonished at the honesty and faithfulness of the criminal.

Hazrat Abuzar Ghaffari (RA): Commander of the Faithful, the man was totally stranger to me. I had never known or seen him before. But when out of all the bystanders, he selected me as his surety I could not but agree. If he had not returned, I would have gladly laid down my life for him.

Villager: Sir, when you agreed to stand as a surety for a stranger, it would be against all rules of manliness and chivalry to endanger your life to save mine.

Accusers: (of one accord) Commander of the Faithful! We forgive him. Let him live.

(xii) 

     On hearing these words, the audience present in the court gave cries of joy and applause and the face of the Caliph beamed with pleasure as he said, "Young men, the blood money will be paid to you from the Peoples' Treasury, and Allah will reward you for this goodness on the Day of Judgment."

Accusers: Commander of the Faithful, we forgive him as forgiveness is divine and, therefore, we respectfully refuse to accept any blood money.