"As for the poets, the erring follow them, see you not that they speak about every subject (praising others right or wrong) in their poetry? And that they say what they do not do except those who believe and do righteous deeds and remember Allah much, and reply back to the unjust poetry ... " (Q26:224-227).
An incident took place in the Masjid an- Nabawi the mosque of the Prophet (PBUB) during the momentous reign of Umar ibn Khattab (RA). An old man, in his 70s, with a very resonant voice was reciting poems with great satire but clear message inviting to the good. People had message inviting to the good. People had gathered round him, enjoying the poetry, reminded of the message of Allah and having a good recreational time in the masjid. Yes, In the Masjid an-Nabawi; for a mosque is a functional social building with interesting all-day round activities and not a place put under lock and key and opened only for the short period of salaat. Yes, the growth and vitality of the society was inspired from the masjid through quality message of guidance from the imam’s mimbar (pulpit); through the brotherhood of the congregational prayer and through the social activities that takes root In the mosque.
As this session was going on, the Amir- happened to pass by. He looked at the old man meaningfully as if demanding an explanation why such an activity was taking place in the House of Allah. The old man readily gave him a satisfying response: "I used to recite verses when one better than you (meaning Rasulullah (PBUH) had been here with us." He then looked towards the reliable Abu Hurayra (RA) and said ‘I adjure you by Allah to tell if you had not heard Allah’s messenger (PBUH) as saying to me: "Give a reply on my behalf; Allah! help him with Ruh-u"l Qudus (Angel Jibril). Abu Hurayra confirmed, saying: 'Wallahi (By Allah), it is so (i.e. the Prophet (PBUH) actually said those words" (Muslim).
So the session continued. That old man was Hassan bin Thabit Al-Ansari (RA) a member of the tribe Khazraj, who came from a rich family and owned a fort situated near the Prophet's mosque. He was a notable poet, very eloquent at reciting verses. Yet, when he accepted Islam at the age of sixty (60), he left hIS set ways of jahil (ignorance) behind and embraced the new ways of Islam. His poems were no longer about women, wine and progeny but about the deen of Allah. He was no longer a poet because he had the talent or to satisfy his creative urge, rather he used his skill to serve Allah as He asks to be served. Where have you channelled your own creative talent and your consummate skills? Do you use them as symbols of Islam or are you a Muslim only in mosques but a "Don't Worry, Allah will understand" outside it? .Listen to the beating of your hearts and dance to its rhythm of faith.
Like all mortals, Hassan bin Thabit (RA) was Imperfect. Once when Madina's leader of hypocrites Abdullah ibn Ubayy spread the slander of Umm-ul-Muminun (Mother of the Believers) Aisha (RA), Hassan was one of the talebearers. He soon became aware of his folly and sought forgiveness of Allah and His Rasul (PBUB). lnsha Allah, he was forgiven. He died at the age of 120 years during the reign of Amir Muawiya. Hassan was a satirist of great caliber and his verses abound with Qur'anic verses. He wrote some heart "rending elegies on the death of Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthman (RA). He also composed verses to exhort people to lead a life of piety and contentment and not to run after riches.
Once in his old days when he had become blind he went to Aisha (RA) for forgiveness as a final redemptive balm for his folly of several years before. Then he composed these verses for her:
"She is chaste and prudent
There is no calumny against her
And she rises tip in the morning
Without eating the meat of the unmindful
(i.e. without backbiting others).
Whatever anger was in Aisha (RA) dissolved as She recalled "He used to write satire as a rebuttal on behalf of Allah's Messenger (PBUH),' (Muslim)
Think deeply about it! What verses will you be reciting in your later years? Verses of gratitude that you lived well as a symbol of Islam or verses of lament that had you known you would have been an ayat-ullah (sign of Allah)? Whichever you prefer is still open to you and the option is yours.
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited