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**Lessons from the Life of Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) – Sayyid Muhammad Baqir**
**10 – I. Society in Confronting the Oppressors**
At the gates of Syria he stood bidding farewell to its people. A large crowd of the righteous had gathered to see him off in a clear demonstration against the injustice of Mu‘awiyah—the caliph’s governor in the land.
There Abu Dharr stood and addressed them, saying:
“O people, I advise you with what will benefit you, and I leave aside lengthy speeches and elaborate words.
Praise Allah, the Mighty and Exalted.”
The people said: “Praise be to Allah.”
Then he said: “I bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His servant and His messenger.”
They responded with the same words.
He then said: “I bear witness that the Resurrection is true, that Paradise is true, and that the Fire is true. I affirm what has come from Allah, so bear witness for me to this.”
The people said: “We bear witness to that.”
He said: “Let those among you who die upon these qualities rejoice in the mercy and honor of Allah—so long as they are not supporters of criminals, nor reformers of the deeds of the oppressors, nor helpers to them.
O people, along with your prayer and fasting, show anger for the sake of Allah when He is disobeyed on the earth. Do not seek the pleasure of your leaders at the cost of Allah’s displeasure. If they introduce what you know to be wrong, then keep away from them and denounce them—even if you are punished, deprived, or exiled—until Allah, the Mighty and Exalted, is pleased. For Allah is higher and greater, and it is not fitting that He be angered in order to please His creatures.
May Allah forgive me and you.
I entrust you to Allah, and I convey to you my greetings of peace and the mercy of Allah.”
