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**Lessons from the Life of Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) – Sayyid Muhammad Baqir**
**03 – B. Confrontation**
What should be done if a corrupt group exploits Islam?
What should be done if rulers and kings deviate from the truth?
What should be done if the ruling apparatus uses the sanctity of scholars and intellectuals to mislead people?
What if the government alters the people’s values and morals?
What should be done if the authorities impose falsehood upon people by force?
To know the correct stance that every Muslim should take, listen to the message that Abu Dharr addressed to Hudhayfah ibn al‑Yaman:
“Now then, my brother: fear Allah with a fear that causes your eyes to shed many tears. Free your heart, spend your nights in vigilance, and exhaust your body in obedience to your Lord. For it is only right that the one who knows that the Fire is the abode of those upon whom Allah’s wrath has fallen should prolong his weeping, his striving, and his nightly vigilance until he knows that Allah has become pleased with him.
And it is only right that the one who knows that Paradise is the abode of those with whom Allah is pleased should welcome the truth so that he may attain it. He should regard as insignificant, for the sake of Allah, leaving behind his family and wealth, standing in prayer at night, fasting by day, and striving against the unjust and the godless with his hand and his tongue, until he knows that Allah has made this obligatory for him. None will truly know this until he meets his Lord. Such should be the state of everyone who longs for closeness to Allah and the companionship of His prophets.
My brother: you are among those to whom I confide my grief and sorrow, and to whom I complain of the alliance of the oppressors against me. I have seen injustice practiced with my own eyes and heard it proclaimed, and I rejected it; therefore my stipend was cut off, I was exiled to distant lands, separated from my tribe, my brothers, and the sanctuary of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). I seek refuge in my Mighty Lord from making this 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 for me. I have entrusted this matter to Him, so that you may pray to Allah for me and for all Muslims—for relief and deliverance, and for what is more beneficial, better in outcome and consequence. Peace be upon you.”
Have you read the letter carefully? Read it again. Reflect upon your own 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 Allah (after seeking guidance from a qualified religious authority, for referring to the marjaʿ is the duty of believers during the time of occultation).
He does not merely say: revolt against oppression and that is enough. Many revolt against an unjust ruler while being more unjust and tyrannical than the one they rise against. An Islamic uprising has conditions, which Abu Dharr explained in his previous sermon. They are as follows:
1. **Piety** – fear of Allah.
2. **Inner freedom** – liberation from servitude to wealth, desire, and tyrannical authority. (“Free your heart.”)
3. **Serious effort in the path of Allah** – (“Spend your nights awake and exhaust your body in obedience to Allah.”)
4. **Fear of falling** as a motivation to strive toward the highest rank – (The one who knows that the Fire is the abode of those who incur Allah’s wrath prolongs his weeping, striving, and nightly vigilance until he knows that Allah is pleased with him.)
5. **Hope in the future** to drive away despair of success – (The one who knows that Paradise is the abode of those with whom Allah is pleased should embrace the truth in order to attain it.)
6. **Self‑sacrifice for the sake of Allah** – giving up everything for His cause – (Considering insignificant, for Allah’s sake, leaving one’s family and wealth, praying at night, and fasting by day.)
7. **Striving until the final breath** – (Striving against the unjust and the godless with one’s hand and tongue until he knows that Allah has made it obligatory for him. Such should be the state of anyone who desires closeness to Allah and the companionship of His prophets.)
