Narrated Abdullah bin Busr Al-Aslami : ALLAH’S Messenger (SalaLLAHU Alayhi Wa Sallam)
said, “The best person is the one whose life is long and his conduct is good.” [At-Tirmidhi]
In the early annals of Islamic history, mentioned is made of a two Muslims who had a
dispute of over a certain matter. During the altercation, one disputant accidently killed the
other, and the matter was brought before a Qaahdi (judge in an Islamic court). The
defendant was found guilty of killing the fellow disputant, and had to face the penalty of
either being put to death, or paying “blood money” to the family of the deceased, if they so
wished. They refused the compensatory offer of “blood money” and demanded that the
defendant should be put to death. Accepting his fate, the defendant placed a humble
request before the court. He implored that his execution be deferred to a later date on
account of an urgent matter he had committed to, and after tending to the matter, he
would return to face execution. The Qaadhi stated that, since he was not known in the
localty, he could not accede to his request as he deems him to be a flight risk. However, the
judge stated that if anyone within the community was willing to stand surety for his return,
he would allow him to go and sort out his pending matter. For a while, nobody within the
gathering stepped forward to stand surety, until a Muslim brother come forward to vouch
for his return.
As the gathering dispersed some people approached the brother who had stepped forward
and asked him how he could stand surety, with his life, for a person that he did not even
know. He replied, “Let it not be said that a Muslim needed someone to stand surety for him,
and nobody came forward for him.”
Time passed, and the due date for the execution arrived, with the defendant nowhere in
sight. The brother who stood surety was summoned, and arrangements were being made
for the execution to proceed. At what could be considered to be the eleventh hour, with full
apology for his delayed return, the defendant came upon the scene. It was put to him, that
since he was not from the locality, was not fully known in the community, and could have
easily absconded, yet he returned to face certain death. With humility he stated, “Let it not
be said that a Muslim gave his word, but intentionally failed to act upon it.”
Watching matters unfold, family members of the deceased were touched by the display of
brotherhood by the Muslim who stood surety, and the integrity of the defendant. This
prompted them to pardon the defendant, with a representative from amongst them stating,
“Let it not be said that a Muslim was in need of pardoning, and he was not pardoned”
It goes without saying that, as an Ummah, we live in an era fraught with challenges and
sometimes we err. We fail to be the perfect Muslims we aught to be, but…
Let it not be said that, a Muslim declares that “There is no God worthy of worship besides
ALLAH, yet he continually bows down to the dictates of his Nafs (carnal self) and shaytaan.
Let it not be said that a Muslim declares undying love for the Prophet (SalaLLAHU Alayhi Wa
Sallam), yet finds joy in following the practises and mannerisms of the enemies of ALLAH.
Let it not be said a Muslim has been instructed by the Prophet (SalaLLhu Alayhi Wa Sallam)
to live in this world like a traveller, yet he burdens himself by accumulating things of this
world, for this world, as if it were his final destination.
Let it not be said that a Muslim writes, “Let it not be said…”, yet the practical application of
what he writes does not become manifest through his actions.
Let it not be said that a Muslim writes, “Let it not be said…”, yet the spiritual aspects which
he writes about have not penetrated deep into the core of his being.
Let it not be said that a Muslim, in spite of recognising all his faults and shortcomings, he
does not persistently turn to ALLAH, the most Forgiving, the most Merciful. From the tongue
of every believer, Let it be said, “LAA HAWLAA WA LAA QUWWATA IL LAA BIL-LAH
(There is no power and no might except with ALLAH). It is only by the Will of ALLAH that we
can endeavour to become better Muslims.
“But you shall not will except as ALLAH Wills, the Cherisher of the worlds”.
{Holy Qur’an / 81:29}
I C A N (26 Rajab 1447 / 16 January 2026)