Book Name:Faizan e Imam Hasan Basri رَحمۃُ اللہِ عَلَیْہ
There was an individual in the era of Imam Ḥasan al-Baṣrī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه, who was known as Ḥajjāj b. Yūsuf. He was the ruler of that time, known for his tyranny and oppression. Ḥajjāj b. Yūsuf once asked Khālid b. Ṣafwān رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه, “Who is the leader of Basra?”
He replied, “Ḥasan al-Baṣrī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه is.”
Ḥajjāj asked in astonishment, “How is this possible? He is the son of a slave.”
Khālid b. Ṣafwān رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه responded:
The true leader is Ḥasan al-Baṣrī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه. People are dependent upon him for them to acquire knowledge, but he is not dependent on any person. By Allah, I have not seen any dignitary of Basra who does not have a desire to meet him. They all wish to listen to his words and yearn to be in his presence.”
Hearing this, Ḥajjāj b. Yūsuf said, “By Allah, this is true leadership!”[1]
Islamic knowledge makes one a leader
Dear Islamic brothers! If somebody has the two qualities of Islamic knowledge and practically act upon it, they become a leader themselves.
The Companion Anas b. Mālik رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُnarrates of how the final Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, “Indeed, knowledge of Islam increases the nobility of a noble person, and takes servants to the gatherings of kings.”[2]
May Allah grant us the ability to gain Islamic knowledge and act upon it with sincerity!
صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد