Author – Labib Mahfuj Chisty
Throughout the ages, countless saints have come to this land to guide the fallen human race. One of them is Hazrat Malik ibn Dinar (RA). He was a contemporary of Khwaja Hasan Basri (RA). He was a very high-ranking saint.
Entry into spiritual life
Malek ibn Dinar (RA) lived in the city of Damascus. He was handsome and had a lot of wealth. When he was young, he once made up his mind to do Itikaf in a mosque in the city for a whole year, so that he could be trusted by everyone and get the responsibility of the guardian of the mosque and the lands related to the mosque! After entering the mosque, he became engrossed in worship. One night, as he was going outside the mosque, he heard a divine message. He was told in the sky, “O Malik, why are you still not repenting to Allah?” Malik ibn Dinar (RA) became upset. He realized his mistake. He had not engaged in worship out of true love for Allah. He hated the hypocrisy in his heart. He repented with a repentant heart. True love for Allah awakened in his heart. Now he truly immersed himself in worship. He felt an unprecedented feeling of love for Allah in his heart and outwardly. He no longer had any worldly desires. The very next day, the worshippers started saying that a Mutawalli (guardian) should be appointed for this area. Malik ibne Dinar (RA) was particularly suitable and trustworthy for this job. At that moment, Malik ibn Dinar (RA)’s mind had completely changed. He had tasted the true love for Allah and did not want to go anywhere. He turned down everyone’s offer. He was engaged in worship.
Naming ‘Dinar’
He gave place to religious life above worldly life. Once he was crossing a river somewhere in a boat. After crossing the middle of the river, the boatman asked for the fare. But Malik ibn Dinar (RA) did not have any money. He humbly told the boatman that he did not have any money. But the boatman did not give up his demand for money. The boatman became agitated. He had to pay the fare. He started to behave harshly and very badly with Malik ibn Dinar (RA). With great anger, he started beating the boatman Malik ibn Dinar. At one stage, the boatman rushed to throw Malik ibn Dinar (RA) into the middle of the river. At that time, it was seen that numerous fish were floating in the river with a dinar (money) in their mouths. Malik ibn Dinar (RA) picked up a dinar from there and gave it to the fisherman. Seeing this incident, the fisherman felt great remorse. He fell at his feet and started begging for forgiveness. From this incident, the word dinar became associated with the name Malik ibn Dinar (RA).
Asceticism and religious life
Hazrat Malik ibn Dinar (RA) was a strict ascetic. He spent his entire life on the path of attaining God. He was a saint of high status. He fought a hard battle with his instincts and self throughout his life. There are countless miraculous events in his life. He guided countless people to the path of truth and beauty.
Last life
After spending a long life in the path of God, Malik ibn Dinar went to be alone with God. It is said that after the death of Malik ibn Dinar, a person saw him in a dream. The man asked Malik ibn Dinar (RA), “How are you being treated in the court of Allah?” Malik ibn Dinar (RA) replied, “I am a sinner. But Allah has saved me because I had faith.”
Some words of advice
- There is hypocrisy in the friendship of this age. Everyone’s exterior is beautiful and their interior is ugly. Even the hearts of scholars are corrupted.
- Leave the illusion of the world. Live yourself. Show others the way to live.
- The person has little knowledge and a blind heart, who gives more importance to worldly or worldly talk than the contemplation, knowledge, and prayer of Allah.
- Move forward patiently in the path of Allah with the aim of reaching Him.
- Allah says, “I have given two promises to the Ummah of Muhammad that I did not give even to Gabriel Mikail.” One of them is, you remember me, I will remember you, and the other is, you call me, I will immediately respond to your call.
- The devil does not visit him much who is always obedient to his desires. Because, he himself is the devil.
- Be satisfied with the service of the one who serves you. Only then will you be liberated in the Hereafter.
Date of writing – 16/08/2018
Author – Labib Mahfuj Chisty