بسم اللّٰهِ الرحمن الرحيم
Hadrat
Sayyiduna Abu Darda
أَبُو الدَّرْدَاء
(Radiyallahu Anhu) رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ
? 32 AH
Abu Darda (kunyah taken from the name of his daughter, Darda)
Born into the Ansari Khazraj tribe of Madinah. Was a successful trader before Islam. Allah Almighty promised the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that Abu Darda would embrace Islam — a divine promise fulfilled when he accepted the faith — Madinah al-Munawwarah
- ◈Allah Almighty promised the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that Abu Darda would enter Islam — a distinction of the highest spiritual honour granted before his acceptance of faith
book-nobility-abu-darda — Maktaba tul Madina
- ◈Mentioned as one of four people worthy of being sought out specifically to acquire knowledge — Hadrat Mu'az Bin Jabal (radi Allahu anhu) said near his death: 'If you want to seek knowledge, you ought to visit only four people: Sayyiduna Abu Darda, Sayyiduna Salman Farsi, Sayyiduna Abdullah Bin Mas'ud, and Sayyiduna Abdullah Bin Salam'
book-nobility-abu-darda — Maktaba tul Madina
- ◈Completely gave up trade and devoted himself entirely to the worship of Allah and acquisition of Islamic knowledge — said: 'I tried to maintain both trade and worship simultaneously, but both could not be managed at once. Eventually I gave up my profession of trade'
book-nobility-abu-darda — Maktaba tul Madina
- ◈Devoted himself to calling people towards righteousness after reaching Damascus — congregated people of Damascus and held Ijtima', calling them to righteousness and admonishing them about worldliness
book-nobility-abu-darda — Maktaba tul Madina
- ◈Was extremely zealous in spreading call towards righteousness — once planned to set out for Syria and asked Amir-ul-Muminin Sayyiduna Umar Faruq (radi Allahu anhu) for permission. He refused the offer to be Governor, saying: 'I want to travel to Syria so that I can teach the Sunnah of Allah's Beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to the people over there and lead them in Salah according to Sunnah'
Nobility of Sayyiduna Abu Darda, p.24 — Maktaba tul Madina
- ◈Sayyiduna Umar Faruq (radi Allahu anhu) visited the governors of Syria at night and found some of them surrounded by storytellers, using public lamps, and lying on velvet mattresses. Then he visited Sayyiduna Abu Darda (radi Allahu anhu) and found him sitting in the dark in his abode. Sayyiduna Umar groped towards him and said: 'O my brother! Have mercy upon you! Did we not provide for you?' Abu Darda reminded him of the Hadith of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): 'You should only possess as much worldly goods as a traveller carries for a journey.' Both great Companions kept on weeping all night until the dawn broke
Nobility of Sayyiduna Abu Darda, p.25 — Maktaba tul Madina
- ◈Had great esteem for knowledge and its compliance — said: 'None can become pious before becoming a scholar and one cannot be embellished with knowledge unless he practises what he learnt'
book-nobility-abu-darda — Maktaba tul Madina
“Jumu'ah is the most excellent day among your week days. Sayyiduna Aadam Safiyyullah (peace be upon him) was born on this day and passed away on the same. This is the day when the trumpet will be blown to mark the end of the world as well as the destruction will prevail. Therefore, recite Salat upon me on this day as your recitation of Salat is delivered to me.”— The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
(Sunan Abi Dawood, vol. 1, pp. 391, Hadees 1047)
book-nobility-abu-darda — Maktaba tul Madina
His brother Uwaimir brought to Islam by Hadrat Abdullah ibn Rawahah (radi Allahu anhu)
Hadrat Abdullah ibn Rawahah (radi Allahu anhu) entered the house of Sayyiduna Abu Darda (radi Allahu anhu) while his real brother Uwaimir was worshipping an idol. He broke the idol, whereupon Uwaimir embraced Islam — a key event in the story of his family's entrance into Islam
Gave up trade entirely for worship
Was a trader who tried to balance trade and worship after accepting Islam. Eventually he gave up trade completely, saying: 'I tried to maintain both — trade and worship — but both could not be managed simultaneously. Eventually I gave up my profession of trade'
Appointed as judge (Qadi) in Damascus during the caliphate of Sayyiduna Umar (radi Allahu anhu)
His exceptional knowledge and wisdom led to his appointment as judge in Damascus, where he also served as a teacher and caller to righteousness
Wrote an epistle to Sayyiduna Salman Farsi (radi Allahu anhu) calling him towards righteousness
He wrote: 'O my brother! Take advantage of your (present-day) good health and the leisure time before you suffer from a great misfortune that nobody could put away, and seek help from the supplication of the oppressed. O my brother, make the Masjid your abode (for worship). I have heard the Prophet of Rahmah saying: Masjid is the abode for every pious one. Have mercy upon the orphan, make him closer and provide him to eat from your own sustenance. Do not hoard as much wealth for which you cannot pay gratitude. O my brother, do not depend upon that you are a companion of the Holy Prophet — only Allah knows what sort of circumstances we faced after him.'
Wrote a second epistle to a friend on the futility of worldly life
He wrote: 'You have no share in this world because your predecessors also lived here and they passed away leaving everything behind. Other people will inhabit here after your demise. The thing solely for you in this world is that you have sent ahead (for Afterlife). Whereas what you leave behind will become inheritance for your righteous descendants. By Allah! None of these two cases is worthy for you to take up the pain (of hoarding wealth). Therefore, wish the mercy of Allah for those who have passed away before you, and bear faith in Allah that He will provide sustenance on those who are to follow.'
Travelled to Syria to spread the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
Was so enthusiastic to propagate the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he left the aromatic atmosphere of Madinah for Syria. He discarded luxuries and comforts simply under the imperative of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). In Syria, he would teach righteousness to the soldiers during winter when they stayed at the barracks, while conducting public Ijtima congregations calling people to righteousness
Sayyiduna Umar Faruq (radi Allahu anhu) visited him at night and found him sitting in the dark in austerity
When Sayyiduna Umar visited the governors of Syria and found some in luxury, he then visited Sayyiduna Abu Darda and found him sitting in the dark with no proper bedding. Both great Companions wept all night until dawn, mourning the condition of the Ummah after the departure of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
His brother Uwaimir brought to Islam by Hadrat Abdullah ibn Rawahah (radi Allahu anhu)
Hadrat Abdullah ibn Rawahah (radi Allahu anhu) entered the house of Sayyiduna Abu Darda (radi Allahu anhu) while his real brother Uwaimir was worshipping an idol. He broke the idol, whereupon Uwaimir embraced Islam — a key event in the story of his family's entrance into Islam
Gave up trade entirely for worship
Was a trader who tried to balance trade and worship after accepting Islam. Eventually he gave up trade completely, saying: 'I tried to maintain both — trade and worship — but both could not be managed simultaneously. Eventually I gave up my profession of trade'
Appointed as judge (Qadi) in Damascus during the caliphate of Sayyiduna Umar (radi Allahu anhu)
His exceptional knowledge and wisdom led to his appointment as judge in Damascus, where he also served as a teacher and caller to righteousness
Wrote an epistle to Sayyiduna Salman Farsi (radi Allahu anhu) calling him towards righteousness
He wrote: 'O my brother! Take advantage of your (present-day) good health and the leisure time before you suffer from a great misfortune that nobody could put away, and seek help from the supplication of the oppressed. O my brother, make the Masjid your abode (for worship). I have heard the Prophet of Rahmah saying: Masjid is the abode for every pious one. Have mercy upon the orphan, make him closer and provide him to eat from your own sustenance. Do not hoard as much wealth for which you cannot pay gratitude. O my brother, do not depend upon that you are a companion of the Holy Prophet — only Allah knows what sort of circumstances we faced after him.'
Wrote a second epistle to a friend on the futility of worldly life
He wrote: 'You have no share in this world because your predecessors also lived here and they passed away leaving everything behind. Other people will inhabit here after your demise. The thing solely for you in this world is that you have sent ahead (for Afterlife). Whereas what you leave behind will become inheritance for your righteous descendants. By Allah! None of these two cases is worthy for you to take up the pain (of hoarding wealth). Therefore, wish the mercy of Allah for those who have passed away before you, and bear faith in Allah that He will provide sustenance on those who are to follow.'
Travelled to Syria to spread the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
Was so enthusiastic to propagate the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he left the aromatic atmosphere of Madinah for Syria. He discarded luxuries and comforts simply under the imperative of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). In Syria, he would teach righteousness to the soldiers during winter when they stayed at the barracks, while conducting public Ijtima congregations calling people to righteousness
Sayyiduna Umar Faruq (radi Allahu anhu) visited him at night and found him sitting in the dark in austerity
When Sayyiduna Umar visited the governors of Syria and found some in luxury, he then visited Sayyiduna Abu Darda and found him sitting in the dark with no proper bedding. Both great Companions wept all night until dawn, mourning the condition of the Ummah after the departure of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
His brother Uwaimir brought to Islam by Hadrat Abdullah ibn Rawahah (radi Allahu anhu)
Hadrat Abdullah ibn Rawahah (radi Allahu anhu) entered the house of Sayyiduna Abu Darda (radi Allahu anhu) while his real brother Uwaimir was worshipping an idol. He broke the idol, whereupon Uwaimir embraced Islam — a key event in the story of his family's entrance into Islam
Gave up trade entirely for worship
Was a trader who tried to balance trade and worship after accepting Islam. Eventually he gave up trade completely, saying: 'I tried to maintain both — trade and worship — but both could not be managed simultaneously. Eventually I gave up my profession of trade'
Appointed as judge (Qadi) in Damascus during the caliphate of Sayyiduna Umar (radi Allahu anhu)
His exceptional knowledge and wisdom led to his appointment as judge in Damascus, where he also served as a teacher and caller to righteousness
Wrote an epistle to Sayyiduna Salman Farsi (radi Allahu anhu) calling him towards righteousness
He wrote: 'O my brother! Take advantage of your (present-day) good health and the leisure time before you suffer from a great misfortune that nobody could put away, and seek help from the supplication of the oppressed. O my brother, make the Masjid your abode (for worship). I have heard the Prophet of Rahmah saying: Masjid is the abode for every pious one. Have mercy upon the orphan, make him closer and provide him to eat from your own sustenance. Do not hoard as much wealth for which you cannot pay gratitude. O my brother, do not depend upon that you are a companion of the Holy Prophet — only Allah knows what sort of circumstances we faced after him.'
Wrote a second epistle to a friend on the futility of worldly life
He wrote: 'You have no share in this world because your predecessors also lived here and they passed away leaving everything behind. Other people will inhabit here after your demise. The thing solely for you in this world is that you have sent ahead (for Afterlife). Whereas what you leave behind will become inheritance for your righteous descendants. By Allah! None of these two cases is worthy for you to take up the pain (of hoarding wealth). Therefore, wish the mercy of Allah for those who have passed away before you, and bear faith in Allah that He will provide sustenance on those who are to follow.'
Travelled to Syria to spread the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
Was so enthusiastic to propagate the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he left the aromatic atmosphere of Madinah for Syria. He discarded luxuries and comforts simply under the imperative of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). In Syria, he would teach righteousness to the soldiers during winter when they stayed at the barracks, while conducting public Ijtima congregations calling people to righteousness
Sayyiduna Umar Faruq (radi Allahu anhu) visited him at night and found him sitting in the dark in austerity
When Sayyiduna Umar visited the governors of Syria and found some in luxury, he then visited Sayyiduna Abu Darda and found him sitting in the dark with no proper bedding. Both great Companions wept all night until dawn, mourning the condition of the Ummah after the departure of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
- ♥A moment's contemplation (in matters of Afterlife) values more than the (supererogatory) worship for the whole night
book-nobility-abu-darda — Maktaba tul Madina
- ♥Was so afraid of the Judgment Day that he would say: 'The most frightening thing for me is that I shall be called by name on the Day of Judgment and questioned: O Uwaimar! Did you acquire knowledge or lived in ignorance? In case I claim to have acquired knowledge I shall be interrogated about each imperative and prohibitive Quranic verse.' He sought refuge from 'unbeneficial knowledge, non-satiating self and unavailing supplication'
book-nobility-abu-darda — Maktaba tul Madina
- ♥Also feared being asked on Judgment Day: 'You did acquire knowledge but why did you not act according to it?'
book-nobility-abu-darda — Maktaba tul Madina
- ♥Whenever he would see a funeral, he would say: 'You passed away in the morning and we are to follow you in the evening, or you moved away in the evening and we are to follow in the morning. Death is a great warning but heedlessness also overcomes soon. Predecessors have departed from this world and the successors do not possess the virtues of tolerance and compassion.'
book-nobility-abu-darda — Maktaba tul Madina
- ♥Said he would have preferred death if three things could be present in life: (1) Offering Sajdah in the blessed court of Allah round the clock; (2) Bearing thirst in the hottest days of scorching summer (i.e. observing fasts); (3) Attending the gathering of those who pluck from the lessons like pleasant fruits. And that he also liked three things that people usually dislike: poverty, illness and death — explaining: 'I like death because of my yearning to meet my Rab. I like poverty to remain beseeching in my Rab's court. I like illness as it would be expiation of my sins'
book-nobility-abu-darda — Maktaba tul Madina
- ♥Would not like to conduct trading even if his shop were adjacent to the portal of the Masjid — such was his love for worship over worldly gain
book-nobility-abu-darda — Maktaba tul Madina
- ♥When he reached Damascus and found people living a lavish life addicted to luxuries, he would remain grieved and would hold Ijtima' congregations in the avenue, calling people towards righteousness. His stirring words would invoke aversion to worldliness and the audience would start crying aloud
book-nobility-abu-darda — Maktaba tul Madina
- ♥Once in Madinah he addressed people: 'O people of Madinah! Why do I not see the vigour of Iman in you? I swear if even a wild beast tastes the flavour of Iman, the vigour of Iman will reflect from it.'
book-nobility-abu-darda — Maktaba tul Madina
- ♥Once passed by a group of people insulting a person for his sins. He said to them: 'What would you do if you find him fallen inside some well — wouldn't you try to get him out?' They said yes. Then Abu Darda said: 'So don't abuse your brother: instead submit gratitude in the court of Allah who has saved you from committing that sin. Don't you consider him bad?' He replied: 'I detest his sinful acts only: if he abandons such acts, he is my brother.' Teaching people to hate the sin but not the sinner
book-nobility-abu-darda — Maktaba tul Madina
- ♥Would often visit the wrecked buildings and would ask: 'O ruined houses! Where have your former residents gone after being ruined?'
Nobility of Sayyiduna Abu Darda, p.31 — Maktaba tul Madina
- ♥When he found the people of Damascus busy in hoarding wealth and building up houses neglecting the Afterlife, he advised them: 'O people of Damascus! Do you not feel shame? You are hoarding so much wealth and goods which you cannot consume and constructing homes in which you will not prolong. People before you have amassed wealth, invoked distant hopes and built strong houses. But all they had amassed destroyed, their hopes dashed and their houses turned into graves. Such were the people of Ad — who among you would like to purchase the entire legacy of Ad from me for two dirhams?'
Nobility of Sayyiduna Abu Darda, p.31 — Maktaba tul Madina
- ♥Once, few guests came for night stay. He treated them with hot meal but could not provide blankets. When a guest came to ask him about bedding, he found that Sayyiduna Abu Darda (radi Allahu anhu) did not have proper bedding himself. Abu Darda said: 'We have a final abode for which we are arranging goods and we all have to return there. Therefore, we have sent our beddings and blankets to that home. Those carrying light burden will cross it with ease than those carrying heavy burden.'
Nobility of Sayyiduna Abu Darda, p.32 — Maktaba tul Madina
- ♥Even used to say: 'Would that I was a lamb owned by my households instead of a human being so that they would slaughter me in order to serve their guests and themselves' — such was the intensity of his fear of the Afterlife
Nobility of Sayyiduna Abu Darda, p.36 — Maktaba tul Madina
- ♥Once attended a funeral where he found the family members of the deceased weeping. He exclaimed: 'How simple these people are! They themselves are going to die tomorrow and they are crying over his death today.'
Nobility of Sayyiduna Abu Darda, p.34 — Maktaba tul Madina
- ♥Would often make the following du'a: 'O my Rab! I implore for adoring You, those who love You and every such deed which may lead me to Your adoration. O Rab! Make Your adoration more adorable to me than my soul, my households and cold water.'
Nobility of Sayyiduna Abu Darda, p.60 — Maktaba tul Madina
- ✦
Nobility of Sayyiduna Abu Darda, p.59 — Maktaba tul Madina
- ✦
Nobility of Sayyiduna Abu Darda, p.59 — Maktaba tul Madina
- ✦
Nobility of Sayyiduna Abu Darda, p.61 — Maktaba tul Madina
Sayyidatuna Umm-e-Darda (radi Allahu anha) — a pious and ascetic woman who refused the proposal of Ameer Mu'awiyah after Abu Darda's death, saying she would remain Abu Darda's spouse in Paradise
Sift-us-Safwah, pp. 325, vol. 1, Hadis 76
Darda — Sayyiduna Abu Darda (radi Allahu anhu) refused the proposal of Yazid ibn Mu'awiyah for her hand and instead married her to a poor but pious man
Az-Zuhd lil-Imam Ahmad Bin Hanbal, Bab-uz-Zuhd Abi Darda, pp. 165, Hadis 761
“If you will remember Allah at times of happiness, He will remember you at times of your hardships and sufferings. And whenever some worldly thing looks pleasant to you, you must first consider its ultimate fate before acquiring it.”
book-nobility-abu-darda — Maktaba tul Madina
“The one who cannot recognize the bounties of Allah except those related to food, becomes weak in abiding the rituals and usually suffers hardships in life. The one who hankers after earthly things fails in acquiring them.”
book-nobility-abu-darda — Maktaba tul Madina
“You will avail goodness as long as you love the righteous people. Whenever some truth is revealed about you, you should admit it as one who recognizes truth is similar to one who abides by it.”
book-nobility-abu-darda — Maktaba tul Madina
“Highest level of faith is to observe patience at Allah's decree, to remain pleased with whatever has been destined, to trust in Allah from the core of the heart and to remain submissive to Allah all the time.”
book-nobility-abu-darda — Maktaba tul Madina
“O People, why is it so that you are becoming greedy towards worldliness and you are losing the religion for which you had been caretaker? I am aware of those malicious ones among you who display arrogance while riding on their horses, and are sluggish in offering Salah, neither listen to the Holy Quran attentively nor inclined to set slaves free.”
book-nobility-abu-darda — Maktaba tul Madina
“There are two, three, four and five things that, whoever practises, shall bring him rise in rank before Allah: Always make your earning from Halal and lawful ways, eat it and also provide Halal food to your family. Ask Allah to grant sustenance on daily basis. On every morning, consider yourself among dead as if you have joined them. Render your dignity and respect to Allah. If someone calls you with abusive names or quarrels with you, leave the issue for Allah and when you commit some sin, ask forgiveness from Allah.”
book-nobility-abu-darda — Maktaba tul Madina
“A perfect person has three signs: (i) Not complaining at the time of suffering from calamity, (ii) Not telling his problems to others and (iii) Not indulging in self-praise.”
book-nobility-abu-darda — Maktaba tul Madina
“This is better that your friend rebukes you than avoiding you. Who else can be your well-wisher more than your friend? So fulfill what he expects from you and be compassionate towards him. Never believe any information related to him from some jealous person.”
book-nobility-abu-darda — Maktaba tul Madina
“A person should remain worried lest resentment is invoked for him in the hearts of the Muslims and he even remains unaware. A person uses to disobey Allah in his privacy: due to this Allah invokes resentment for him in the hearts of the Muslims and he remains unaware.”
book-nobility-abu-darda — Maktaba tul Madina
“Those whose tongues remain occupied in the Zikr of Allah shall enter the Paradise smiling.”
book-nobility-abu-darda — Maktaba tul Madina
“Availing the company of knowledgeable persons, moving with them and attending their sermons are signs of a scholarly man.”
book-nobility-abu-darda — Maktaba tul Madina
“None can become pious before becoming a scholar and one cannot be embellished with knowledge unless he practises what he learnt.”
book-nobility-abu-darda — Maktaba tul Madina
“Acquire knowledge because both the learner and the educator would receive equal reward. Except these two, virtue lies in nobody else.”
book-nobility-abu-darda — Maktaba tul Madina
“O people of Damascus! You are brothers to each other in Islam, neighbours to one another in one avenue and aides to one another when combating the enemy. Then why not you people like me! All of my efforts and endeavours are benefiting others instead of you. I am seeing your learned ones departing from this world, while the ignorant among you are not inclined towards learning. You people are forgetful regarding Afterlife being engrossed in search of livelihood. Listen! People before you had built strong palaces, amassed wealth and had been over-optimistic but what happened then? Their palaces turned into graves, their hopes deceived them and their hoarded wealth went waste.”
Nobility of Sayyiduna Abu Darda, p.44 — Maktaba tul Madina
“The supreme level of Taqwa (piety) is to fear Allah so much so that one begins to fear Him as regard to even an atom and surrender the Halal thing in which he suspects the presence of even a particle of Haram: in this way he builds up strong shield between himself and the Haram.”
Nobility of Sayyiduna Abu Darda, p.39 — Maktaba tul Madina
“I like death because of my yearning to meet my Rab. I like poverty to remain beseeching in my Rab's court. I like illness as it would be expiation of my sins.”
Nobility of Sayyiduna Abu Darda, p.40 — Maktaba tul Madina
“The grave proclaims daily: O man! Have you forgotten me? Be warned! I am the confinement of solitude, I am the abode beyond all norms, I am the home full of apprehension, I am the dwelling of creepy-crawlies and I am the abode bearing narrowness except for those to whom Allah makes me expand.”
Nobility of Sayyiduna Abu Darda, p.28 — Maktaba tul Madina
- 🌟Sayyiduna Abu Darda (radi Allahu anhu) was a successful trader, but when he became a Muslim he loved worship so much that he completely gave up his business to focus on learning and praying!
- 🌟Before he even became Muslim, Allah Almighty promised the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that Abu Darda would enter Islam — SubhanAllah, what an honour!
- 🌟He was so wise that when Hadrat Mu'az ibn Jabal (radi Allahu anhu) was dying, he told people to visit Abu Darda if they wanted to learn — listing him as one of only four scholars worth seeking out!
- 🌟His wife was so devoted that after he passed away, she refused to marry anyone else because she said she would remain his wife in Paradise!
- 🌟He loved to remember death and would often remind people: 'You passed away in the morning and we follow in the evening' — always keeping the Afterlife in his heart!
Related Events(0)
No recorded events for this figure yet.