My beloved and respected teacher in Madinah Munawwarah, Shaykh Muhammad ‘Awwamah (may Allah protect him) once mentioned a story about his senior teacher, Shaykh ‘Abdul Fattah Abu Ghuddah (rahimahullah). I wanted to share it for its profound message and immense inspiration:
There was an instigator in Aleppo (may Allah Ta’ala alleviate the suffering therein currently).
This person falsely reported Shaykh ‘Abdul Fattah (rahimahullah) to the authorities for which Shaykh (rahimahullah) was imprisoned.
A year later when Shaykh ‘Abdul Fattah (rahimahullah) was released, the locals came to visit, congratulate and welcome him at his residence.
Among those that came was the initial trouble maker too. Realising his mistake he probably came to plead for forgiveness. He was however, scared to face Shaykh ‘Abdul Fattah.
When people told Shaykh (rahimahullah), he responded, Allow him in:
نحن نعامل الناس بأخلاقنا لا بأخلاقهم
We display our own character to the people, not their’s.
-end of incident.
Subhaanallah!
In other words, despite his disrespect and lack of akhlaq, I will display to him my akhlaq by being better to him.
Moral
People have different standards in their conduct. Don’t let others set your standard!
May Allah Ta’ala inspire us to implement this sublime moral code. Amin.
