V. Critical Thinking.

We have read in the text that Abdullah did not want to be a judge and that it was only after a lot of persuasion that the caliph Uthman got Abdullah to change his mind. No doubt. Uthman used a number of different arguments to finally persuade Abdullah to become a qadi.

1. In groups, think of and list some of the arguments Uthman might have used.

2. Consider the following problem: You are a first-year student of economics and you are very unhappy with the course and with your performance, and have lost interest in the subject. You have always been interested in business management, however, and have decided that you would like to transfer to this course. The problem is that the head of economics docs not like his students transferring to other courses.

3. You must prepare arguments to put forward to the head of economics to persuade him to allow you to transfer to business management. The more arguments you have, the better your chances will be of persuading him.

4. One member of each group will present their arguments to the class and the class will reply to these arguments as if it were the head of economics. Other group members can support their spokesperson during this discussion. Decide at the end which group has come up with the most persuasive arguments.

Unit 20 (Revision) SALIM Mawla ABU HUDHAYFA (RAA).

I. Pre-Reading Tasks.

Before reading the text look at the title of this unit and answer the questions.

1. You will read about a great builder of Islamic society at the time of the Prophet (SAAS). What do you know about this person? What people or events do you think of when you hear this person’s name?

2. Work in groups. List your pieces of information about Salim Mawla Abu Hudhayfah in order of importance.

3. Compare your list with other groups. How are they similar or different?

II. Reading.

As you read, try to find the information you listed above in the text.

Salim Mawla Abu Hudhayfah (RAA) was one of the greatest authorities on the Quran. He was very well respected by all Muslims. When he was very young, however, he was a mere slave. This was before the coming of Islam. He was adopted as a son by a Muslim whose name was Abu Hudhayfah bin Utbah (RAA). After some time, the practice of adoption was barred by Islam. As a result, Salim had to change his status from a son to a brother. Since he did not know his father, he remained under the protection of Abu Hudhayfah. He therefore changed his name to Salim Mawla Abu Hudhayfah. Salim was strongly admired by the Prophet (SAAS), who taught him everything about the message of Allah (SWT). Salim knew everything about the Quran and was an excellent teacher and leader. The Prophet (SAAS) said of him, “Praise be to God who had made you part of my Ummah”. Even his fellow Muslim brothers referred to him as “Salim min as-Salihin” (Salim is one of the righteous). Salim helped to build the new Islamic society according to principles and values found in the Quran. He became a great spokesman for the cause of Islam. He helped to destroy unjust class divisions and false social distinctions. When he saw injustice, unfairness, cruelty, and discrimination, he spoke up against it. One day, the Prophet (SAAS) sent some of his companions to the villages and tribes near Makkah. He sent them as da’I’s to invite people to join Islam. He wanted them to do it peacefully. During the mission, the leader, Khalid bin Al-Walid, fought with another man and killed him. As soon as Salim saw what Khalid had done, he went up to him and reprimanded him. The two of them argued, but Salim stood his ground even though he was once a poor slave and Khalid was a powerful Makkan nobleman. When the Prophet (SAAS) heard of the killing he was very upset. However, he felt a little better when he heard that Salim had scolded Khalid. Salim’s relationship with all people was good but he had a strong brotherly love for Abu Hudhayfah. They did everything together. One day the two of them joined an expedition to fight the enemies of Islam at Yamamah. The two brothers embraced each other and made a vow to die for the cause of Islam. At the end of the battle, which was won by the Muslims, the Muslim soldiers found Salim. He was lying on the ground, dying. Salim asked them about his brother Abu Hudhayfah. They told him that Abu Hudhayfah had died. The last few words Salim uttered were, “Then put me to rest next to him”. Both men had fulfilled their vows. They had died together in battle for the cause of Islam. Together they lived in Islam, and together they died for Islam. As Salim lay dying, Umar (RAA), the second caliph, said, “If Salim had lived, I would have appointed him as my successor”.