Pious predecessors known by their professions (episode 02)

Al-Mawerdi [اَلْمَاوَرْدِی]

This word refers to selling rose water and its business. A group of Islamic scholars became famous for this relation because someone in their ancestors would do this business or would sell it. One of these Islamic scholars is chief justice Abul Hasan ‘Ali Bin Muhammad Basri رَحْمَةُ اللّٰەِ عَلَيْه. He was born in 364 AH and passed away in 450 AH. It has been narrated that in his life he رَحْمَةُ اللّٰەِ عَلَيْه disclosed none of his books which he wrote and gathered all his literary works at one place.

When the time of his demise came near he رَحْمَةُ اللّٰەِ عَلَيْه asked a reliable person, ‘All the books lying at such-and-such place are authored by me; I did not find my intention to be pure that’s why I did not disclose them. When the time of my demise comes and I am experiencing death throes, give your hand into my hand. If I hold your hand tightly, then understand that none of my books have been accepted and you put my books into the river Tigris in the night. If I do not hold your hand, but raise my hand, then understand that my books have been accepted and I have succeeded in the pure intention which I was expecting.’ That person said, ‘When the time of his demise came, I gave my hand into his hand. He did not hold my hand. I realized that his books have been accepted, so I revealed his books to people.’ (Al-Ansaab lis-Sam’aani, vol. 11, pp. 104-105; Wafyat-ul-A’yaan, vol. 3, pp. 247, summarised)

An-Nassaaj [اَلنَّسَّاج]

This word refers to the act of weaving. A group of Islamic scholars is associated with this relation. One of these pious predecessors is Sayyiduna Abul Hasan Khair-un-Nassaaj رَحْمَةُ اللّٰەِ عَلَيْه. He is the one who had the company of Sayyiduna Junaid Baghdadi رَحْمَةُ اللّٰەِ عَلَيْه. He was born in 202 AH and passed away in 322 AH. It has been narrated that he رَحْمَةُ اللّٰەِ عَلَيْه had a dark complexion.

Once after performing Hajj when he رَحْمَةُ اللّٰەِ عَلَيْه went to Kufa, a person caught him and said, ‘You are my slave and your name is Khair.’ He did not quarrel with him, rather did what he said and went with him. That person made him weave cloth for a period of time and then freed him and said, ‘You are not my slave.’ It is said that doubt was cast on him that he was his slave. His real name was Muhammad Bin Isma’eel. After getting free from slavery he was asked, ‘Will you not have your previous name again?’ He replied, ‘I will not change this name of mine which I have been given by a Muslim.’ He had this name until he رَحْمَةُ اللّٰەِ عَلَيْه remained alive. (Al-Ansaab lis-Sam’aani, vol. 12, pp. 74; Siyar A’laam-un-Nubala, vol. 11, pp. 646; Tareekh-ul-Islam liz-Zahabi, vol. 7, pp. 459; Al-A’laam liz-Zarkali, vol. 2, pp. 326)


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