There was a well-known, respected Muslim scholar in India. Some people took advantage of his noble rank by using his name to get their own work done. For example, they would tell people that Shaykh sent me here to do XYZ. This became common, so someone informed him that people are lying and using your name to get their work done. He responded that I can’t benefit them in person, so at least their dunya is being sorted out via my name. At least I can benefit people in this regard. Shaykh was a beacon of light in India and a guide for many. But due to his humility he was unaware of his greatness, thinking little of himself.
Shaykh Maulana Maseehullah Khan رحمة الله عليه once mentioned an incident about a man who was in search of a job. He went for an interview and in a desperate attempt to secure the job, he claimed that he was the son in law of this scholar. Now of course this was untrue, however, the employed did not know that he lied. Rather, the employer believed it, and feeling guilty to reject the son in law of such a noble scholar, he accepted. Thus he fell for the lie and gave him the job. After some time had passed, the owner happened to bump into Shaykh. He said to Shaykh that we are happy with your son in law, he is working well with us! It was kind of you to send him.
Hearing this, Shaykh became confused. Where did this son in law come from? However, he had such courtesy for all people that he never exposed the man. Instead, he nodded in agreement to the fabricated statement. After the owner left, Shaykh made enquiries about this “son in law”. Eventually He called for him to be bought, and asked about the matter. The man replied that I was so desperate for a job, I decided to use your name to help me. Now both he and Shaykh knew that this was a blatant lie but rather than becoming annoyed, angry or displaying bad character, Shaykh had mercy upon him.
Shaykh’s only concern was safeguarding the dignity of this one man. So he said that if I had a daughter, I would have married you to her. But i don’t, however, to make your statement true and to preserve your dignity and job, I can adopt your wife as my daughter. After adopting His wife, He began to treat her like his daughter too. He would give her gifts and when he invited his own daughters home, he would always invite his adopted daughter too. And that is how Shaykh went to such great lengths just to safeguard the dignity of just one believer!
May Allah elevate His status and grant us the tawfiq to display good character at all times, aameen.
— Shaykh Dawood Seedat حفظه الله
Above is an extract from Shaykh’s talk in Darul Uloom Azaadville, on 19/5/17.
