Hardly would the conscious Muslim tire or retire from learning, from unlearning and disconnecting from vices, from listening to stories that can illuminate his and her world. To live in the present, in these moments, is to be buffeted by sense and nonsense on a daily basis. It is to wonder exactly where your world has headed; it is to keep in mind that one day the believer would exit this dangerous world and be counted in the celestial as one of the successful ones; hence it is for him or her to be in constant touch with the noble past, with those who lived at the best of times. Thus, when the thread below was shared with me by a brother, I thought it would be most fitting for me to pass it onto you. It has been quite a while indeed that we learnt new lessons from those who succeeded learning the difficult lessons of this life. Here are nuggets from the life of Anas ibn Malik, the companion of the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (SAW).
Anas was a member of the Najjar clan of the Khazraj tribe of Yathrib. He was born 10 years before the Prophet’s migration to Madinah. His father, Malik ibn Nadr, died a non-Muslim. His mother, Umm Sulaim, remarried to a new convert, Abu Talha ibn Thabit. Anas’s half-brother from this marriage was Abdullah ibn Abi Talha. When Prophet Muhammad (SAW) arrived in Medina in 622, Anas’s mother presented him to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) as a servant to him. Whereas our leader, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) died in 632 CE at the age of 63, Anas died in 712 CE after attaining 103 years on earth.
Let us listen to Anas reliving his life: “Mother took me by my hand to the Prophet and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, every man and woman of Madinah has presented you with a gift. I have nothing else to offer besides this child of mine. Please accept him as your servant for all your needs.’ I served the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him] for 10 years. During this time, he never beat me, abused or even scolded me. He never gave me an angry look. The first advice he gave me was: ‘O my son! Keep my secrets confidential and you will become a true believer. I never disclosed the secrets of the messenger of the Almighty to anyone.
“He also told me: ‘O my son! Be through in your wudu’ and the two angels (who are recording your deeds) will love you. Your life will also be increased. O Anas! Ensure that you bathe from Janabat (the obligatory bath) properly, if you do so, all sins and evil will leave you.’ I asked him: ‘How do I do that?’ He said: ‘Wet the roots of the hair and clean/rub the skin.
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‘O my son! If you can, then remain in the state of wudu’ continuously, for if death comes to someone in the state of wudu’, he acquires Shahdah (the rank of the martyrs). O my son! If you have the ability to constantly send salutations upon me, then do so, the angels will beg the Almighty to forgive you.
‘O my son! Try to offer some (nafl) Salah in your home too. O Anas! When you make ruku’ ensure that you spread your fingers apart while grasping your knees, and that you keep your elbows away from your body. O my son! When you raise your head from ruku’ allow all your limbs to settle in their original positions. The Almighty will not look on the day of judgement to the one who doesn’t straighten his back when waking up from rukū’.
‘O my son! When you make Sajdah, place your head and palms firmly on the ground. Do not make sajdah (hastily) like the pecking of a rooter. Do not sit (in Salāh) like the way foxes or dogs squat.
‘Refrain from turning around in salah, as this is destruction. If need be, then (it is allowed) in the optional prayer, not the Fardh. O my son! If when you leave your house, you make salam to whichever Muslim you see, you will return home forgiven. Also keep in mind that every other Muslim is better than you. O my son! Whenever you enter your house, say salam upon yourself and your family. This will be a source of Barakah- blessing- for you and them.
‘O my son! If you are able to spend your day and night without having malice for anybody in your heart, then do so as this will make your hisab (accountability in the court of Allah) easy. O my son! This is my sunnah. Whoever revives and loves my sunnah, loves me, and will be with me in Jannah. O my son! If you follow my advice, there will be nothing more beloved to you than death.’”