“Dynamite Comes in Small Packaging.” -Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah bin Mas‘ood (radhiyallahu ‘anhu)

Once ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was sitting with his companions and from a distance ‘Abdullah bin Mas‘ood (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) approached. ‘Abdullah bin Mas‘ood (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was short and thin, and ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had companions seated in front of him. So it was difficult for ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) to see him.
Nevertheless the two met and had a light-hearted conversation and then ‘Abdullah bin Mas‘ood (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) turned away and departed. Thereafter ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) addressed his companions saying to them:

“‘Abdullah bin Mas‘ood (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) may be small in size, but he is like a small utensil that is brimming and overflowing with the knowledge and the understanding of deen.” (Siyaru Aa’laamin Nubalaa vol. 1, pg. 491 & Tareekh Ibni ‘Asaakir vol. 33, pg. 145).

As we say, “Dynamite comes in small packaging.” He was really a dynamite.

‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had come to Kufah after ‘Abdullah bin Mas‘ood (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had left. So he began asking the students of ‘Abdullah bin Mas‘ood (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) regarding him. They felt that ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was trying to test them or he had some other motives. Nevertheless,
when ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) heard what they had to say, he said to them:

“I have the equal amount of respect and regard for him, nay even more than what they have.”

Thereafter ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) said:

“‘Abdullah bin Mas‘ood (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had recited the Quraan, practised on the Quraan, regarded its lawful as lawful and its unlawful as unlawful, he was a true jurist of deen and he had deep understanding of the sunnah of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).” (Taareekh Ibni ‘Asaakir vol. 33, pg. 150)

Abu Moosa Ash‘ari (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), another great Sahaabi of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was once questioned regarding a ruling. So he gave his opinion. Then he asked them to go to ‘Abdullah bin Mas‘ood (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) as well, since
he felt that ‘Abdullah bin Mas‘ood (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) will approve of his ruling. When they came to ‘Abdullah bin Mas‘ood (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and mentioned to him the answer of Abu Moosa Ash‘ari (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), ‘Abdullah bin Mas‘ood (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) said, “I cannot agree to this ruling.” So he
passed another ruling, according to what he felt was correct.
When these people came back to Abu Moosa Ash‘ari (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), he told them:

“As long as this great giant of knowledge is among you, do not even ask me any ruling of deen.” (Saheeh Bukhari #6736)

Here we understand the clarity of the hearts of the Sahaabah(radhiyallahu ‘anhum). Their hearts were so pure. It did not become an issue that he is a Sahaabi and I am also a Sahaabi.
Thus I have the right to issue my own ruling. Rather they ‘Abdullah bin Mas‘ood (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) acknowledged the next Sahaabi to be more qualified in a certain field of knowledge and accordingly they referred others to him for their queries.

Here we find a common problem; in fact there is no comparison. Our condition today is such that despite us having little or no knowledge regarding a certain matter of deen, we are so quick to object to the ‘Ulama, who are qualified in that field.
We wish to give our own opinions despite having no authority to do so. Unfortunately, this is also done on public forums. On the other hand we find Abu Moosa Ash‘ari (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) opting to remain silent in the presence of ‘Abdullah bin Mas‘ood (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). Such a great Sahaabi, but he never found the need to speak. Who are we? No knowledge, but at times we even go to the extent of saying, “Imaam Abu Haneefah (rahimahullah) said such and such a thing, but I don’t agree! My opinion is that it should be like this.” Who are we in front of these great giants of knowledge? What right do we have to
speak, and oppose their teachings which were based purely on the Quraan and sunnah?

Published by:
Ibnu Mas‘ood Institute