HIDDEN GEMS – Hazrat Shaikh Bishr Al-Haafi رضي الله عنه by Mufti Omar Dawood

NAME – Bishr son of Haarith s/o Abdur Rahmaan s/o Ataa s/o Hilaal s/o Maahaan s/o Abdullah

Abdullah Ba’boor who was the ascendant of Hazrat Bishr Haafi, embraced Islam at the hands of Ameerul Mumineen Hazrat Ali ibn AbuTalib, this makes him a Tabaeen from the Khairul Quroon رضي الله عنهم.

DATE OF BIRTH – 150 A.H.

Another narration states that he was born in 152 A.H.

PLACE OF BIRTH – Baghdaad (Iraq)

AREA OF SERVICE – Baghdaad (Iraq

APPELLATION – Al-Haafi (one who walks barefoot)

Al-Zaahid (one who practices abstinence from the world)

SHUYOOKH AND TEACHERS –

Hammad ibn Zaid, Abdullah ibn Mubarak, Ibn Mahdi, Imaam Maalik, Abu Bakr Ayaash, Fudhail ibn Ayaadh رضي الله عنهم.

BRIEF BIOGRAPHY –

In the early years of adulthood, Hazrat Bishr Haafi رضي اللہ عنه was not concerned about Deen or Deeni matters. But Allah’s plan is the best of plans!

Hazrat Bishr Haafi رضي الله عنه once found a piece of paper near the furnace of a bath house and the name of Allah was written on it. He respectfully picked it up, bought an expensive Itr and applied it to the piece of paper with Allah’s name on it. He then placed this piece of paper on an elevated place in respect for the name of Allah Ta’aala. He was then blessed by Allah Ta’aala inspiring his heart to make Tauba and excel in the field of Taqwa.

Hazrat Bishr رضي الله عنه once asked a shoemaker for a piece of string for his shoe as shoelace but was told some harsh words in response. He therefore vowed to not use shoes for him to not be the target of rebuke and ridicule.

He acquired knowledge from the masters of Hadeeth found in Baghdaad, their names have been mentioned above. He would earn a living from working with a spinning mill.

He would seldom narrate Ahadeeth even though he was a erudite scholar of Deen also. Most traditions he narrated however were valid and accepted by the Muhaditheen.

Hazrat Imaam Ahmed Ibn Hambal رضي اللہ عنه said on the day of his demise, ‘Bishr Haafi has left no equal to him after his passing.’

Hazrat Ibraheem Harbi  رضي الله عنه states, ‘Baghdad has not produced a person more intelligent than him…never was he involved in the backbiting of any Muslim. Every strand of hair he had demonstrated intelligence. If his intelligence was distributed amongst the people of Baghdaad, they would become wise and his intelligence would still not diminish.’

WISE SAYINGS –

Do not practice good deeds for you to be spoken off, conceal your good deeds like how you hide your sins.

A resourceful philanthropist is more beloved to Allah than a Sufi who is a miser.

Yesterday is dead, today is before us and tomorrow has not been born yet.

Hunger purifies the heart, it is death for carnal desires and it inspires the heart to attain knowledge of intricacies.

One who loves the world should prepare himself for disgrace.

DEMISE – 10th Muharram 227 A.H. (Baghdaad)

His Janaazah Salaah was attended by the people and luminaries of Baghdaad, the famed Muhadith, Hazrat Ali ibn Madeeni رضي الله عنه cried at the top of voice saying, ‘This is indeed the honour of the world before the honour of the hereafter.’

Jinns were also heard mourning his demise in the house he lived in.

Hazrat Bishr Haafi رضي الله عنه was seen in a dream after his demise and when asked how his Lord treated him, he replied, ‘He forgave me, He forgave everyone who attended my Janaazah and He shall forgive everyone who loves me until the day of Qayaamat.’

FAMOUS STUDENTS AND DISCIPLES –

Abu Khaithama, Zuhair ibn Harb, Sirri Saqti, Abbas ibn Abdul Azeem, Muhammed ibn Haatim رضي الله عنهم.

Allah جل جلاله bless us all through the pious means of Hazrat Shaikh Bishr Haafi رضي الله عنه.

References:

Siyaru- A’alamin Nubalaa by Imaam Zahabi عليه الرحمة

Al-Bidaayah wan Nihaayah by Allamah Ibn Katheer عليه الرحمة

LOCATION OF HIS BLESSED GRAVE – Baghdaad (Iraq)