The Virtue of Being Unfazed by Criticism or Praise (1): Examples from the Salaf

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🔘 ‘Abd Allah b. Al Mubārak (رحمه الله) said: Sufyan al-Thawri (رحمه الله) said:

كَانَ يُقَالُ : إِذَا عَرَفْتَ نَفْسَكَ لَمْ يَضُرّكَ مَا قِيلَ فِيكَ .

It used to be said, "If you know yourself, what is said about you will not harm you."

[Al-Firyabi "Sifah Al-Nifaq"]

🔘 Attab ibn Ziyad  (رحمه الله) said: I heard Ibn al-Mubarak (رحمه الله) say:

"يَا ابْنَ الْمُبَارَكِ ! إِذَا عَرَفْتَ نَفْسَكَ ؛ لَمْ يَضُرَّكَ مَا قِيلَ فِيكَ" .

"O Ibn al-Mubarak! If you know yourself, what is said about you will not harm you."

[al-Dinawari in "Al Mujalasah wa Jawahir Al ‘Ilm"]

🔘 Ahmad ibn Harb (d. 234 AH رحمه الله) said:

"عبدتُ الله خمسين سنة فما وجدت حلاوة العبادة حتى تركت ثلاثة أشياء:

"I worshiped Allah for fifty years and did not find the sweetness of worship until I left three things:

تركت رضا الناس حتى قدرت أتكلم بالحق،

I left seeking the approval of people until I was able to speak the truth.

وتركت صحبة الفاسقين حتى وجدت صحبة الصالحين،

I left the company of the wicked until I found the company of the righteous.

وتركت حلاوة الدنيا حتى وجدت حلاوة الأخرى... "

And I left the sweetness of this world until I found the sweetness of the Hereafter..."

[Siyar A'lam al-Nubala: 11/34]

🔘 Abu Bakr al-Marwazi (رحمه الله) reported that he said:

أدخلت نصرانيًّا على أبي عبد الله – يعني أحمد بن حنبل – فقال له:

"I brought a Christian man to see Abu Abdullah—meaning Ahmad ibn Hanbal (رحمه الله). The Christian said to him,

إني لأشتهي أن أراك منذ سنين، ما بقاؤك صلاح للإسلام وحدهم، بل للخلق جميعًا، وليس من أصحابنا أحد إلا وقد رضي بك،

'I have longed to see you for years. Your survival is not only a benefit to Islam but to all people. There is no one among our companions who is not pleased with you.'

I then said to Abu Abdullah,

إني لأرجو أن يكون يُدعى لك في جميع الأمصار،

'I hope that supplications are made for you in all lands.'

Abu Abdullah replied,

«إذا عرف الرجل نفسه، فما ينفعه كلام الناس».

'O Abu Bakr, when a man knows himself, the words of people do not benefit him.'"

[Siyar ‘Alām al-Nubalā’]

This story highlights Imam Ahmad's humility and the universal respect he garnered, not only from Muslims but also from non-Muslims, emphasizing that true self-awareness transcends external approval.