Sulataan Nooruddin Jangi

आग है , औलाद इ इब्राहीम है नमरूद है

क्या किसी को फिर किसी का इम्तिहान मक़सूद है

आज मैं आपको एक अज़ीम शख्सियत का तार्रुफ़ कराता हु।  जिन्हे मेरे और आपके प्यारे नबी सल्ललाहो आलिहि वस्सलाम का तीन मर्तबा दीदार हुआ ख्वाब में। 

सुलतान नूरुद्दीन जंगी, जिनका तक़वा , इबादत , शुजात , दीं की समझ और इल्म की फरासत बे मिसाल है।

आज भी हो इब्राहिम सा ईमान पैदा

आग कर सकती है अंदाज इ गुलिस्तां पैदा

लगभग आठ सौ साल पहले, सुल्तान नूरुद्दीन महमूद जंगी رَحَمَةُ اللهَ تَعَالَی عَلَيْه ने अपनी रात नवाफ़िल और वज़ैफ़ को हमेशा की तरह पेश किया और सो गए। जैसे ही उसकी आँखें बंद हुईं, उसका भाग्य जाग गया। पवित्र रसूल لَلَّى اللهَ تَعَالَ عَلَيْهٰ وَاِلَهٖ وَسَلَّم अपने सपने में आया, उसे दो नीली आंखों वाले आदमी दिखाए और कहा: मुझे उनसे बचाओ! वह رَحِمَةُ اللهَ تَعَال عی عَلَيْه उत्सुकता से उठा। उन्होंने वुडू का प्रदर्शन किया, नवाफिल की पेशकश की और फिर से सो गए। एक ही बात को तीन बार दोहराया। उन्होंने एक ही रात में अपने मंत्री को बुलाया। उन्होंने परामर्श किया और अगली सुबह मदीना मुनव्वरह के लिए बहुत सारी दौलत लेकर चले गए। वे 16 दिनों की यात्रा के बाद मदीना मुनव्वरह में पहुंचे। उन्होंने शहर के बाहर ग़ुस्ल किया और फिर शहर में प्रवेश किया। उन्होंने रियाद-उल-जनाह में नवाफिल किया, खुद को राउद-ए-रसूल ّىَلَص اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاَلٰهِ وَسَلَّم में पेश किया और मस्जिद के अंदर बैठ गए। मदीना के सभी निवासियों को यह सूचित करने के लिए बुलाया गया था कि सुल्तान आ गया है और उपहार वितरित करना चाहता है। हालांकि, वांछित लोगों को नहीं देखा गया था। पूछताछ करने पर, उन्हें बताया गया कि पश्चिम के दो धर्मी पुरुष हैं। वे किसी से कुछ नहीं लेते हैं। वास्तव में, वे सादकाह [दान] बहुतायत में देते हैं। वे पूरी रात आध्यात्मिक अभ्यास करते हैं और दिन के दौरान प्यासे लोगों को पानी चढ़ाते हैं। उन्हें सुल्तान के सामने पेश किया गया और उन्होंने तुरंत उन्हें पहचान लिया। वे वही शापित लोग थे, जिन्हें पवित्र रसूल ّىَلَّى اللهَ تَعَالَ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلََم ने सपने में दिखाया था। जब उनसे मदीना पहुंचने के कारण के बारे में पूछा गया, तो उन्होंने कहा कि हम अभी हाल ही में बेलाव रसूल के पड़ोस में रहने आए हैं صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْْْ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم

उनसे बार-बार पूछताछ की गई लेकिन उन्होंने सच्चाई उजागर नहीं की। जब उनके घर की तलाशी ली गई, तो अपार धन और कुछ किताबें मिलीं। सुल्तान उत्सुकता से टहलने लगा। अचानक, जैसे ही फर्श पर बिछाई गई चटाई को हटाया गया, हर कोई चटाई के नीचे एक सुरंग देखकर हैरान रह गया, जो कि प्यारे रसूल के रौद की ओर बढ़ रही थी दोनों अर्जित आदमी रात के समय सुरंग खोदेंगे और मिट्टी के जलप्रपातों को भरेंगे और कब्रिस्तान में फेंक देंगे। जब वे धन्य कब्र के पास पहुँचे, तो आकाश कांप गया और एक भयंकर भूकंप आ गया। ऐसा लग रहा था मानो पहाड़ गिर जाएंगे। सुल्तान नूरुद्दीन महमूद ज़ंगी رَحَمَةل اللهudd تَعَاللی عَلَيْه अगली सुबह मदीना मुनव्वरह पहुँचे। एक बार उनका अपराध सिद्ध हो जाने के बाद, सुल्तान ने उन्हें सिर कलम करने का आदेश दिया। इसके अलावा, उन्होंने आशीर्वाद राउदा के चारों ओर पानी के स्तर के लिए खोदी गई जमीन को पिघला दिया और उसमें पिघला हुआ सीसा डाला ताकि कोई भी इस तरह के बुरे काम को फिर से करने का प्रयास न कर सके। (वफ़ा-उल-वफ़ा, जुज़: २, पीपी ६४ sum; संक्षेप;)

प्रिय इस्लामिक भाइयों! रसूल के महान भक्त, इस्लाम के शेर, अबुल क़ासिम, नूरुद्दीन महमूद ज़ंगी رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی علََيْه का पूरा जीवन दीन की सेवा में बीता। यही कारण है कि न केवल मुस्लिम इतिहासकार उनकी प्रशंसा करते हैं, बल्कि गैर-मुस्लिम इतिहासकार भी उनकी प्रशंसा करते हैं।

जब भाई बटे घर बटे दिल फटे

जब भाई बटे घर बटे दिल फटे

आज मैं आपको तारीख के पन्ने याद दिलाना चाहता हु. आज की किताब है। 
१. फ्रीडम अत मिड नाईट
Freedom at Mid Night -
२. तमस
Tamas
३. खाक और खून
Khaq aur Khoon
४. इंडिया विंस फ्रीडम
India Wins Freedom

अगर हम चाहते की एक मुस्तकबिल रोशन हो , हमें चाहिए तारीख को समझे , दौर इ हाज़िर को समझे और मुस्तक़बिल की तैयारी करे।
१९४७ की वह रात का समझना जरूरी है। 
आज जो दिल्ली का मंजर है वह रात इससे बहोत भयावह थी।  खून क़त्ल और दंगे चारो तरफ थे। 
ऐसे वक़्त में वह लोग अपना सब कुछ छोड़ कर एक आशियाने की तलाश में निकले थे।  जो नहीं गए वह हम है.
कल हम रहे न रहे
इल्म और तारीख सीना बा सीना आगे जाते  , यह पुराना दस्तूर है।  यह अमानत मैं कलमबंद करके आप को दे रहा हु ताकि मेरे साथ दफ़न न हो जाये। शायद मेरी जनरेशन आखरी है जिन्होंने उन लोगो से सुना है जिन्होंने यह देखा है सहा है।  मेरे  नौजवान दोस्त और साथी जो आज ट्वीटर पैर है, शायद किसी ने यह नहीं सुना होंगे और पड़े होंगे। 
 एक नया सफर एक नयी मंज़िल के साथ इंसाफ की लड़ाई जारी रहनी चाहिए। हम रहे न रहे। 
फ्रीडम at मिडनाइट - यह ब्रिटिश हुकूमत और गोरो आँख से देखा हुआ मंजर है।  यह सच्चाई का एक हिस्सा है।  सच्चाई इससे बहोत दूर है  , हकीकत इससे बहोत दूर है, मगर यह उसकी एक कड़ी जरूर है।  जब आप ऐसे पढ़ेंगे तो आपको लगेंगे की हालात क्या थे वक़्त की हुकूमत ने क्या सोचा और क्या हुआ।  दिल्ली पंजाब बंगाल सब कुच्च जल उठा था।  इस अंगार लगायी थी आधी रात का वो फैसला जब पंजाब की तकसीम बदल दी गयी। 
तमस - यह पंजाब की तारीख है।  कम्युनिस्ट ने लिखी है।  यह सच की अगली कड़ी है।  खास तौर पे जब हालात ख़राब होई और कत्ल गारडगारी शुरू हो गयी उस वक़्त जिस तरह मेहनत की है उसे काबू में लाने के लिए कम्युनिस्टों ने यह कबीले तारीफ है।  अपने मकसूल वसाइल और तादाद के बावजूद इस कोशिश को सलाम पेश है।  यह सीरियल दूरदर्शन पर दिखाया गया है, आधा सच है।  यह हक़ीक़त की दूसरी कड़ी है। 
खाक और खून हिंदुस्तान में नहीं मिलती थी।  जो पाकिस्तान से आते तो ले आते थे।  इसकी फोटोकॉपी बिकती थी।  अब ज़माना बदल गया।  ऑनलाइन आप  सकते है।  पीडीऍफ़ मौजूद है।  यह नावेल है, यह मुस्लिम आँखों से देखा हुआ है।  आप पड़े तो यह ध्यान रखे यह नावेल तारीख है।  आधी सच है।  यह माज़ी है।  आप बदल नहीं सकते।  यह सिर्फ हालत को समझने और आने वाले वक़्त के फैसलों के लिए है।  आपने ज़ज्बात को काबू  में रखे।  जो १९४७  उसकी सजा आज के लोग नहीं दे सकते।  यह भी आधा सच है पढ़िए। 
जो मंज़र हमने मालिआना आसाम , भागलपुर , मेरठ , बाबरी मस्जिद , गुजरात और  हाल   ही में दिल्ली में देखा यह ऐसी कड़ी का हिस्सा है।  पढ़िए सम्भालिये और आगे के लिए सोचिये.
इस कड़ी की आखरी किताब है इंडिया विंस फ्रीडम , मौलान अबुल कलाम  आज़ाद.
अबुल कलाम आज़ाद कांग्रेस के सबसे लम्बे समय तक सदर रहे।  आज़दी के सबसे मुश्किल और सबसे अहम् वक़्त में वो सदर थे।  उनकी सब लोगो  लेके चलने की सलाहियत यह उनका सबसे बड़ा सरमाया था।  बहोत ज़हीन और और खुश मिज़ाज थे।  उनकी सुनाने और बर्दाश्त करने की कूवत  काबिले इ तारीफ थी।  उनोहने यह ज़िम्मेदारी बगैर किसी ख्वाहिश और मफद के पूरी की।  जब यह किताब लिखी गयी  इसके तीन पैन महफूज़ रखे गए , और वसीयत की इसे इंतकाल  के ३० साल बाद शाया किया जाये।  सचाई सामने आये और किसी को शर्मिंदगी न हो।  मौलाना सबसे अहम् दौर के हर फैसले के गवाह और शरीक थे।  जिस दिन यह किताब शाया होइ मैंने उसी रोज़ खरीद  के पड़ी थी।  यहाँ तक की मैंने पहले  सर्वोदय बुक स्टाल पे की मेरी कॉपी रखना। 
मौलान की ज़हनियत की यह सबूत  है  उनकी सौराह फातिहा की तफ़्सीर २५०  सफो की है।  रब और रब्बुल आलमीन का बयान मैंने आजतक जो पढ़ा सबसे बेहतर है।  तक़वा बाँदा और आक़ा के बीच का मामला है।  बंदा और आका जाने , मैं सिर्फ वह लिखूंगा  जिस मैं जनता हु। 
मौलाना आज़ादी के बाद पहले एजुकेशन मिनिस्टर ( वज़ीर तालीम ) बने।  मैं  मानता हु आज  तक सबसे बेहतरीन वज़ीर तालीम है।  मजूबत बुनियाद मौलाना  राखी आज उसी की वजह हमारा तालीमी निज़ाम महफूज़ है और संघियो से तमाम कोशिशो के बावजूद वो खड़ा है।  पहली एजुकेशन पालिसी बनाने में उनका किरदार की  तारीफ  की जय कम है। 
आज  हमें मदरसा छाप कहते है मैं उनसे कहना चाहता   हु ये तालीमी निज़ाम पालिसी और सिस्टम इसी मदरसे से आये  लोगो ने दिया है।  क्योंकि निज़ाम तालीम  तस्सवुर सिर्फ मुसलमानो के पास था।  पहले ४० सालो में मुसलमानो ने निज़ाम इ तालीम बनाने और चलाने में बहोत बड़ा योगदान रहा। एहि वजह है की संघी इसे बदलना चाहते है।  क्योंकि तालीमी निज़ाम उनकी  हिन्दू राष्ट्र बनाने  कोशिशों में सब से बड़ी रुकावट है।  यह निज़ाल तालीम इंसाफ और मसावात की बुनियाद पर बनाया गया है। 
आप पढ़िए सोचिए यह आपका मुस्तक़बिल है।  अब यह वतन आपका है।  हम  रहे न रहे। 
तूफ़ान से लाये कश्ती निकालके अब तुम्हारे  हवाले वतन साथियो।  

Demise of Shale Gas

OIL at 40 USD a Barrel is best of Global Economy

The burst of oil was long overdue. This is very good for global economy.

The Fake Shale Gas

Many experts have touted $50 as a threshold, the minimum the shale industry needs to break even. But in reality, it is more complicated. $50 is an average, and although some wells, in certain areas of the Permian, can break even at prices between $32 and $47 per barrel, other wells, even in the same areas, need as much as $65 to break even. Outside of the Permian region, breakeven prices are even higher.

Bloomberg New Energy Finance’s breakeven prices in the Permian range from $46 per barrel in Loving County to $87 per barrel in Reagan County.

Potential environmental considerations associated with shale gas

Shale gas extraction raises environmental concerns in relation to:

·        carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄) emissions, particularly the potential for increased fugitive CH₄ emissions during drilling compared with drilling for conventional gas

·        the volumes of water and the chemicals used in fracking and their subsequent disposal

·        the possible risk of contaminating groundwater

·        the physical effects of fracking in the form of increased seismic activity

Shale gas 'worse than coal' for climate

Drawn from rock through a controversial "fracking" process, some hail the gas as a "stepping stone" to a low-carbon future and a route to energy security.

But US researchers found that shale gas wells leak substantial amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. This makes its climate impact worse than conventional gas, they say - and probably worse than coal as well.

Oil price war sends US shale producers into survival mode

Already hard-pressed North American shale oil producers are contemplating a new round of spending and drilling cuts on Tuesday as they try to quell investor concerns about profitability in the wake of the oil price war unleashed by Saudi Arabia over the weekend.

Oil prices tanked by around a third on Monday after Saudi Arabia over the weekend slashed the price it charges for oil, sending a shock wave through an industry that had already been cutting costs since the 2014-2016 oil price collapse.

Research firm Rystad Energy predicted total industry spending on oil exploration and production would be cut by $100bn this year and another $150bn in 2021 if oil prices remained around $30 a barrel. The global benchmark was trading about $36.50 on Tuesday, up nearly six percent from Monday.

At the heart of the collapse in oil prices is the breakdown in the alliance between the Saudi-Arabia led OPEC and Russia, its most important ally.

Shale production has soared over the past eight years, pushing US output and exports to record highs, but that has come courtesy of strict production limits that the Saudis rolled back after the collapse of talks between OPEC and its allies last week.

"If these oil prices persist, the only real discussion is whether or not to continue operations in North American land," said Ian Bryant, Chief Executive Officer of Packers Plus Energy.

The Oil in the range of USD 30 is very bad news. That’s very bad news for Texas, North Dakota and anyone still left invested in oil and gas stocks. Shares of Chevron are down 20% in 2020, making it the best performing energy stock in America.  Most are down 30%, 40% or even 50% since January 1st.  The S&P Oil & Gas ETF (XOP) is down 33% this month.

The industry is facing a three-sided attack: falling prices, a move of institutional investors to divest from fossil fuel companies, and crushing debt loads.  

Debt is the problem. The U.S. oil and gas industry has about $86 billion of rated debt due in the next four years, according to Moody’s.  Nearly all of that debt is either junk rated, or rated just above junk. More simply put, if we fall to $25-$30 per barrel for an extended period of time, many traders and executives believe that stockholder pain will only get worse, and bankruptcy lawyers will be busy. 

What everyone does seem to agree on is that the shale industry, its employees and its remaining investors are going to experience very sharp pain in the near term.  A Capital IQ search shows that publicly traded oil and gas companies employ nearly 700,000 people.  That’s not including the millions more who work for private companies or in the halo of the industry.

 

The Shale Boom Is Becoming a Bust

The math is simple. If each new well drilled produces less than the earlier, and unprofitable, wells, then the peak is quickly approaching.

Negative cash flow

Bankruptcies are mounting across the sector, underlining a squeeze on funding. The money pipeline is running dry for large portions of the US shale oil sector, tipping drillers into bankruptcy and threatening the industry’s breathtaking growth in oil production.

As funding becomes scarce, bankruptcy filings are on the rise this year. Haynes and Boone, a law firm, counted 33 by the end of September, 27 of them since May, which is almost as many as in the whole of 2018. This month EP Energy filed for bankruptcy with $4.6bn in debt, citing “challenging dynamics as a result of depressed commodity prices.”

The story of indebted shale drilling is not a new one. For years, much of the shale industry was unprofitable and cash flow negative, but was able to finance aggressive drilling programs through a variety of means.

By some measures, this has led to some progress. After burning through around $200 billion in cash flow over the past decade, the top few dozen shale companies have come close to positive cash flow this year. In the second quarter, one study found that the top 29 shale companies posted slightly positive numbers, which was the best performance to date.

According to Rystad Energy, the top 40 companies spent $28 billion on capex in the first half of 2019, but only took in $23.7 billion in cash flow from operations

OPEC and Production Cut

Why Should OPEC Subsidize Shale Gas of US

By bringing down production or cutting production OPEC actually maintained Price tag so that, US Shale gas can keep producing. If OPEC kept their production, Shale can never survive the market competition

New Decade, New OPEC Oil Curbs. Same Mixed Results

OPEC+ reset the terms of its agreement as of Jan. 1. Half of the 10 OPEC countries now participating in supply cuts conformed last month, for a rate of 138%, according to Bloomberg calculations from the group’s secondary source data. Non-OPEC adherence was 76%, estimates from preliminary International Energy Agency data on crude supply show. Overall, the OPEC+ coalition had a compliance rate of 119%.

In recent years, OPEC+ has been forced to contend with rising American production and a trade war between the U.S. and China, both of which weighed on crude prices. Now there’s a third threat: the coronavirus outbreak, which has killed thousands in China while bringing the country to a halt. Chinese demand for oil products is likely to plunge by more than 35% year-on-year in the first quarter, Morgan Stanley said in a recent report, citing data from researchers at China oil giant CNPC.

Personal Story Al Hasan Al Basari

Muslim Commander: ‘Tell me, Khalid, about the ‘Hasan of Basra.’ I think you know him best.’
Khalid: ‘He is a man whose outside is like his inside, whose words are like his actions. When he tells people to do something good, he is the first to do it; and when he advises others not to do something; he is the first to shun it. He has renounced what people have, but they are always in need of him.’

Muslim Commander: ‘Enough have you said, Khalid. No people would go astray while they have a man like him in their midst.’

This short dialogue between a well-known Commander of Muslim armies and a friend of our hero summarized for us in few words the personality of ‘AI-Hasan AI-Basri,’ who is well-known in Islamic history for his truthfulness, authority on matters of religion, words of wisdom, courage and other worldliness.

‘AI-Hasan AI-Basri’ was born in Madinah. His beloved mother was a former bondswoman of ‘Umm-Salama’ the ‘Prophet's’ wife, and his father ‘Yasar’ was a former bondsman to ‘Zaid-Ibn-Thabit,’ one of the scribes of ‘Prophet Muhammad’ (pbuh). His real name was ‘AI-Hasan Ibn-Yasar,’ but he is better known in history by the name ‘AI-Hasan AI-Basri’ (AI-Hasan of Basra). He was indeed a very fortunate child, for though he was born after the death of ‘Prophet Muhammad’ (pbuh), he was literally brought up in the ‘Prophet's’ household, he spent his childhood with his mother mistress ‘Umm-Salama,’ stayed in constant contact with the other widows of the ‘Prophet,’ was educated by their exemplary personalities and conduct and heard first hand reports about the ‘Prophet’ (pbuh). Since Madinah then was still full of the former companions of ‘Prophet Muhammad’ (pbuh) ‘Al-Hassan Al-Basri’ had the golden opportunity to learn about Islam and its teachings directly from those great students and companions of ‘Prophet Muhammad’ (pbuh), including people like 'Uthman-Ibn-Affan’, ‘Abdullah-Ibn-Umar’ and ‘Ali-Bin-Abi-Talib’ (Radhi-Allahu 'Anhum) whose personality and fluency left a special impression on his character.

At the age of fourteen his family moved to Basra in Iraq, where he got the name of AI-Basri. AI-Basra was then one of the major urban centers of culture in the Islamic Empire, and it was full of the former companions of ‘Prophet Muhammad’ (pbuh) who taught the principles and practices of Islam to the thirsty students and masses. ‘AI-Hasan AI-Basri,’ fully utilized the opportunity. Spending all his time in the mosque, learning, especially at the hands of the well-known companion of the ‘Prophet’ (pbuh), 'Abdullah-Ibn-Mas'ood’. Since many people, rulers and masses were greatly influenced by the new wealth and prosperity that followed the expansion of the Muslim State East and Westward, they needed constant reminders of the dangers of overindulgence in worldly affairs and luxury. ‘Al-Hassan Al-Basri’ was one of such reminders. To him, truth had to be said even in the face of tyrants. For a righteous man of Allah like him should have no fear of anyone except his ‘Creator and Master’ (“Allah”). An example of his daring personality is the incident between him and ‘AI-Hajjaj’ who was a notorious tyrannical governor of Iraq. ‘AI-Hajjaj’ built himself a big palace at Wasil, and he invited people to see it (to impress them). The masses crowded the place, full of admiration of the palace.
To ‘Al-Hassan Al-Basri’ this was a golden opportunity to preach to people, warning them of the dangers of tyranny and indulgence in worldly gains. Naturally, AI-Hajjaj was not very happy with his doing. He swore to kill him. So he ordered some of his soldiers to fetch him. Upon entering, he walked with confidence towards ‘AI-Hajjaj’ muttering some prayers. Suddenly, the tyrant was awe-struck and almost unconsciously invited our hero to sit next to him with all humility and respect. Then, he asked about some matters of religion, attentively listening to ‘AI-Hasan's’ answers, while everyone sat in a state of astonishment. Upon leaving the guard of ‘AI-Hajjaj,’ full of surprise at the sudden turn of the events, asked him, "When you entered and saw the sword ready you muttered a few words. What did you say?”

‘AI-Hasan’ answered: "I prayed to Allah: 'O my Master and Protector! Reverse the rage of ‘AI-Hajjaj’ as you changed the fire into coolness and safety for Ibrahim."

Among the many memorable occasions of pious advice offered by ‘Al-Hasan’ to rulers was his encounter with a great governor of Iraq and Persia, 'Umar-Ibn-Hubaira.’ It is reported that ‘Ibn-Hubaira’ used to receive from the Caliph in Damascus orders which smelt of injustice. So he invited two religious scholars, including our hero to seek their opinion and advice. Following are rough translations of our hero's words of advice:
‘Al-Hasan’: ’Ibn-Hubaira!’ “Fear Allah in dealing with Yazeed (the Caliph), and fear not Yazeed in your dealings with Allah. Remember that Allah can protect you from Yazeed, but Yazeed cannot protect you from Allah. A stern angel who never disobeys Allah will come to you taking you from your great and wide palace to the narrow grave, where you will find no Yazeed, but only your wrong actions with which you disobeyed the Lord and Master of Yazeed. ‘Ibn-Hubaira!’ If you are with Allah, He will protect you from the wrath of ‘Yazeed-Ibn-Abdul-Malik’ in this world and in the Hereafter. But if you are with Yazeed in defiance of Allah's commandments, Allah will leave you to the mercy of Yazeed. Remember that one should never obey a creature whoever he might be in disobedience to the Creator."
It was with this type of words of wisdom that he spent his eighty years of pious and ascetic life teaching and preaching, not only to rulers and the masses of his time, but also to all readers of his wise sayings at all times.

Story Of Islam Heroes: ‘Ata-Ibn-Rabah’

The Slave who became a Teacher, to King (d. 104 A. H 225)

The characteristic typical of all the Muslim heroes was their effort to direct their work for one and only one purpose; i.e. The pleasure of Allah. Whether in the Battle or in the mosque, in the royal courts or in the market-place those heroes conduct never faltered.

‘Ata-Ibn-Rabah’ was an eminent personality of the second generation of Muslims who met or attended many Companions of the Prophet (pbuh). ‘Ata-Ibn-Rabah was once at the doorsteps of the Umayyad; Caliph ‘Hisham-ibn-Abdul Malik’ in Damascus. Let us listen to what goes on between him and the Caliph.

The Caliph: ‘What can we do for you, Abu Muhammad?’

‘Ata-Ibn-Rabah’: ‘The people of the two ‘Harams’ (Mecca and Madinah), the guests of Allah (i.e. pilgrims) and the neighbors of the Messenger, give them their allotted annual gifts.’
The Caliph: ‘We will (Turning to Secretary): ‘Write a decree to that effect. What else, Abu Muhammad?’
‘Ata-Ibn-Rabah’: ‘The people of Hijaz and Najd are the heart of the Arabs and leaders of Islam, request that you return to them the surplus of their charity.’
The Caliph: ‘Yes, anything else?’

‘Ata-Ibn-Rabah’: ‘Yes. leader of the faithful, the soldiers at the frontiers of the Muslim lands. They are there in the face of your enemies, fighting whoever attempts to attack the land of Islam or hurt the Muslims. These people deserve generous salaries and supplies to be sent to them. For if they are lost our frontiers are gone.’

The Caliph: ‘Yes. (Addressing the Secretary) Write a decree to that effect. Anything else I can do for you?’

‘Ata-Ibn-Rabah’: ‘The Non-Muslim subjects living in the Muslim State who, in return for paying tax, enjoyed protection and safety) should not be asked to do things beyond their means. For whatever tax they pay you is a help against the State's enemies’.

The Secretary was ordered to write a decree to that effect.

The Caliph asks: ‘Anything else, Abu Muhammad?’

‘Ata-Ibn-Rabah’: “Yes. Fear Allah for your own sake. Remember that you were born alone; you will die alone, will be raised on the Day of Resurrection alone, and you will receive the Judgment alone. No one of your friends or relatives can be of any help at those times."

With these words ‘Ata-Ibn-Rabah’ bid farewell to the Caliph.

Before going out a man sent by the Caliph offered a pouch full of money for him.

‘Ata-Ibn-Rabah’, declined to take the money, quoting from the Qur’an: "I ask you no reward (for the advice). For my reward is with the Lord of the universe."

Now let's go back to the earlier day’s life in Mecca. ‘Ata-Ibn-Rabah’ was an Ethiopian, born a slave to a Mecca lady. Since his childhood he became interested in learning.

He divided his time into three portions:

*One third he spent in the service of his mistress carrying out his duties as a faithful servant.

*The second portion he devoted to worship and prayers, and;

*The third he devoted to learning whatever he could from the former companions of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him).
The Mecca lady was impressed with her bondsman's devotion. So she set him free, giving him the chance to spend all his time in the Sacred Mosque of Mecca, learning first then teaching and engaged in devotions.

His knowledge and piety earned him a high place in the hearts of the rulers and the ruled alike. Of his knowledge we are told that a great man like 'Abdullah-Ibn-Umar’ was reported to have been surprised that people in Mecca needed to seek religious guidance from anyone while they had a man like ‘Ata-Ibn-Rabah’ amongst them.

In the presence of  ‘Ata-Ibn-Rabah’ even the greatest of Muslim Caliphs humbled themselves as we saw in the incident mentioned earlier (where we witnessed the encounter between ‘Hisham-Ibn-Abdul Malik’ and ‘Ata-Ibn-Rabah’).

In Mecca, another Umayyad Caliph, ‘Sulaiman-Ibn-Abdul Malik’, accompanied his two sons to sit humbly in the presence of the ex-slave to listen to his teachings in the sacred Mosque.

When he was asked about the man by his sons.

The Caliph answered, "This was '‘Ata-Ibn-Rabah."

Then he said, "My children seek knowledge. For through knowledge and learning the humble becomes great. The fool becomes wise, and slaves become superior to kings."

He lived about one hundred years and performed pilgrimage (Hajj) no less than seventy times.