Habib Al-Ajami (RA) was a Persian who settled in Basra and became a mureed of Shaykh Hasan Al Basri (RA). Prior to taking bayat, Habib was involved in interest dealings. He was notorious for his ruthless attitude towards his clients. He would regularly roam the city in search of those who owed him money. If they could not pay, Habib would visit their businesses or homes to snatch whatever he could find, in lieu of the payment.
One day, he visited a debtor’s home. There was no one inside, except one woman. She explained to him that her husband was not home, but Habib insisted on taking his money back. She further explained that they had no money or items to give. In the distance, Habib spotted a pot and asked what was inside. She responded that someone gave some meat and that’s all her children have to eat. But Habib was heartless and unmoved. He demanded the meat and the woman had no option but to surrender and give him their dinner. He went home with the meat and asked his wife to prepare it but while cooking, the meat turned into blood and became inedible. This moment became a turning point in Habib’s life. He was shocked. He immediately repented from his sins and vowed to never indulge in interest ever again (recorded in Kashf Al-Mahjub).
Regarding interest, Allah says, “And if you do not [give up interest], then be informed of a war [against you] from Allah and His Messenger. But if you repent, you may have your principal – [thus] you do no wrong, nor are you wronged.” (Qur’an, 2:279). Clearly, it is a major sin that Allah deeply dislikes. A person who indulges in interest is inviting the wrath of Allah. But the power of Tawbah completely wipes out sins and turns the displeasure of Allah into the pleasure of Allah, even if that sin is as grave as interest dealings. The life of Habib proves this. After making Tawbah, he took Shaykh Hasan Al-Basri as his Shaykh and guide. His native tongue was Persian and he could not speak Arabic properly. At times, he would mispronounce words of the Qur’an. Due to this, Habib was known as Al-Ajami (a non-Arab).
One day, Hasan saw Habib reading Salah. He came closer with the intention of joining Habib, until he heard him mispronounce some ayahs of the Qur’an. This caused Hasan to change his mind and he decided not to join him in Salah. That night, Hasan Al-Basri saw a dream. He asked Allah to inform him of a deed that will enable him to draw closer to Allah. Allah responded that you just missed your opportunity! Had you prayed behind Habib, you would have become closer to me. You were disapproving of his pronunciation but ignored the purity of his heart (recorded in Kashf Al-Mahjub). This is how Allah elevated his status from a notorious usurer to a renowned individual of piety.
The story of Habib is an example of how Tawbah can change our lives. We are all sinners and the guilt can be overpowering at times. But if we make one mistake by sinning, we shouldn’t make a second by refusing to repent. That was how Shaytaan was expelled from paradise. Choose to oppose Shaytaan by repenting daily and making a firm intention to never return to sins. Over time, this habit will cleanse our hearts and draw us closer to Allah, for Allah loves repentance and Shaytaan hates it. May Allah grant us the ability to repeatedly repent, aameen.
— Shaykh Dawood Seedat حفظه الله
Above is an extract from Shaykh’s talk in Westville Jaamia Masjid on 14/01/2020. To listen to the full audio, please click here.
