Abū Muslim al-Khawlānī  رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه, who was titled ḥakīm al-Umma (meaning: an exceedingly intelligent and wise person),^[1] was a Tābiʿi who lived in Yemen. During his time, a man named Aswad ʿAnsī falsely claimed prophethood in his region.

One day, Aswad ʿAnsī forcefully called Abū Muslim to him and asked, “Do you bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah?” Abū Muslim replied, “Yes, absolutely.” (Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم is Allah’s true Prophet. He is my master, and I have full faith in him.)

Aswad then asked, “Do you bear witness that I am the messenger of Allah?” Abū Muslim simply replied, “I did not hear what you said.” Hearing this, Aswad became enraged and immediately gave the order to light a gigantic and terrifying fire. His men quickly did this. He then ordered them, “Throw Abū Muslim into this blazing fire!”

سُـبْحٰـنَ الـلّٰــه Just as Allah made the fire cool and peaceful for Prophet Ibrāhīm عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم, He also made the fire peaceful for Abū Muslim al-Khawlānī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه. By Allah’s grace, he came out of the fire completely safe and sound.

Seeing this extraordinary event, Aswad ʿAnsī started to worry about his false claim of prophethood. He feared that if this event became known, people would never accept him as a prophet. So, he expelled Abū Muslim from Yemen, who then left for Medina.^[2]

Important clarification

Dear Islamic brothers! We must have firm belief in Allah, in His mercy, and in His kindness—definitely! There is also something to bear in mind here.

For Prophet Ibrāhīm عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم, the flames became a garden. Abū Muslim al-Khawlānī   walked into a fierce fire without hesitation. This was a was a