Ramdaan Series 1442

 Sayyiduna Hakeem bin Hizaam [radhiyallahu ‘anhu] 

Abu Haazim (rahimahullah) mentions, “We did not hear of any person in the blessed city of Madeenah Munawwarah who would sponsor more animals to serve as conveyances in the path of Allah Ta‘ala than Sayyiduna Hakeem bin Hizaam (radhiyallahu ‘anhu).”

Abu Haazim (rahimahullah) then narrated the following incident:

On one occasion, two Bedouins came to Madeenah Munawwarah, seeking a person who would provide them with conveyances to go out in the path of Allah Ta‘ala. On enquiry, they were directed to Sayyiduna Hakeem bin Hizaam (radhiyallahu ‘anhu).

When they came to his home and presented their need to him, he said to them, “Do not hurry, I will come out shortly.” He then picked up his stick and came out with two of his slaves.

He then proceeded to walk with them, and whenever he passed by a pile of dirt or a heap of rubbish, and saw a strip of cloth that could be used in preparing the saddle and other equipment of the camels that were used as conveyances in the path of Allah Ta‘ala, he would use the tip of his staff to pick it up. He would then shake the strip of cloth (in order to remove the dust and dirt from it), after which he would give it to his two slaves, instructing them to keep it with the other possessions in their equipment.

Observing this, one Bedouin said to the other, “By Allah, (how can this man help us when it seems that he is so poor that) he only possesses the strips of old material that he finds and picks up!” However, his companion said to him, “Do not be hasty (in jumping to conclusions)! Let us see what transpires.”

They continued to the market where Sayyiduna Hakeem (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) saw two large, fat, pregnant she-camels that were for sale. He purchased the two camels together with their saddles and equipment. He then said to his two slaves, “Use those strips of cloth to repair any portion of the equipment that requires mending.” Thereafter, he loaded the two animals with food, wheat and fat, after which he handed the two camels to the two Bedouins, together with money for their expenses.

On seeing the generosity of Sayyiduna Hakeem (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), the two Bedouins were amazed. One said to the other, “By Allah! Never have I seen a man who picks up discarded strips of cloth who is better than the one I saw today (i.e. despite him picking up discarded strips of cloth, which is normally the quality of one who is very poor and unable to help others, he is wealthy and spends abundantly upon others)!”

(Tabraani - Majma‘uz Zawaaid #16017)

Lessons:

1. When a person acquires abundant wealth, then generally, one of the first concerns he has is to invest it, thus ensuring that it remains secure and also increases. In this regard, the best ‘investment’ is the investment of the Hereafter through spending in the path of Allah Ta‘ala to support works of righteousness. This investment will never depreciate and lose value, and will always remain safe and secure. Furthermore, this investment will assist us on the Day of Qiyaamah when our wealth of the world will have no value whatsoever.

2. Sayyiduna Hakeem (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was extremely wealthy, and he was very generous as well. Perhaps the reason for him being blessed with so much of wealth by Allah Ta‘ala was that he valued every bounty of Allah Ta‘ala – to the extent that he even valued the strips of material that others had discarded and tried to find use for them. If we value and appreciate the ‘small’ bounties of Allah Ta‘ala, then He will bless us with more bounties and greater bounties. Thus, we should ensure that we clean our plates and utensils after eating, eat the crumbs that fall on the dastarkhaan, etc. Likewise, instead of discarding the 10c coin we receive as change, we should keep it or at least give it to someone else who will benefit from it.