Lessons from the stances of Abu Dharr (may God be pleased with him)

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### B – The Challenge

What should be done if the false faction exploits Islam?
What should be done if rulers and kings deviate from the truth?
What should be done if the ruling apparatus exploits the sanctity of scholars and intellectuals in order to mislead people?
What if the government alters the people’s values and morals?
What should be done if the authorities impose their falsehood on people by force?

To understand the correct position that every Muslim should take, listen to the message of Abu Dharr that he addressed to Hudhayfah ibn al‑Yaman:

“After this, O my brother: fear God with a fear that causes your eyes to weep often; free your heart, keep vigil at night, and exert your body in obedience to your Lord. For it is only right that whoever knows that the Fire is the abode of those upon whom God is angry should prolong his weeping, his striving, and his night vigil until he knows that God has become pleased with him. And it is only right that whoever knows that Paradise is the abode of those with whom God is pleased should embrace the truth so that he may attain it, and should consider it insignificant, for the sake of God, to part from his family and wealth, to stand in prayer at night, to fast during the day, and to struggle against the unjust and the atheists with his hand and his tongue, until he knows that God has made it obligatory for him—and he will not truly know that until he meets his Lord. Thus should be the state of everyone who desires the nearness of God and the companionship of His prophets.

O my brother, you are among those to whom I find relief in confiding my grief and sorrow, and to whom I complain of the oppression that has been shown to me. I have seen injustice practiced with my own eyes and heard it spoken with my own ears; when I rejected it, my stipend was withheld from me. I was sent away to distant lands and exiled from my clan, my brothers, and from the sanctuary of the Messenger (peace be upon him). I seek refuge in my Great Lord lest this be taken as a complaint against Him for what has befallen me. Rather, I inform you that I am content with what my Lord has chosen for me and decreed upon me. I have entrusted the matter to Him, so that you may pray to God for me and for all Muslims—for relief and ease, and for what brings greater benefit, and a better end and outcome. Peace be upon you.”

Have you read the message carefully? Read it again. Reflect upon your life, the life of the society around you, and the authority that governs it. Then resolve to act according to the advice of Abu Dharr, that revolutionary in the path of God (after seeking guidance from a qualified religious authority; for referring to the religious authority is the duty of believers during the time of occultation).

He does not simply say: “Revolt against injustice and that is enough.” For many have revolted against tyrannical rule while being more unjust and more oppressive than the ruler they rose against. The Islamic revolution has conditions which Abu Dharr explained in his previous speech. They are as follows:

1. **Piety (Taqwa)** — fear of God.
2. **Inner freedom** — rebelling against the slavery of wealth, desires, and tyrannical authority. (“Free your heart.”)
3. **Serious effort in the path of God** — (“Keep vigil at night and exert your body in obedience to God.”)
4. **Fear of falling** as a motivation to strive toward the highest spiritual rank — (“Whoever knows that the Fire is the abode of those who incur God’s anger should prolong his weeping, striving, and night vigil until he knows that God is pleased with him.”)
5. **Hope in the future** to drive away the spirit of despair — (“Whoever knows that Paradise is the abode of those with whom God is pleased should embrace the truth so that he may attain it.”)
6. **Self‑sacrifice for God** — considering everything expendable in His path — (“He regards it as small, for God’s sake, to leave his family and wealth, to stand in prayer at night, and to fast during the day.”)
7. **Struggle until the final breath** — (“Striving against the unjust and the unbelievers with his hand and his tongue until he knows that God has made it obligatory for him—and this certainty comes only upon meeting his Lord. Thus should be everyone who desires nearness to God and the companionship of His prophets.”)