HONOURING ULEMA, ELDERS AND MEN OF VIRTUE
HADHRAT ABDULLAAH BIN ABBAAS RADIALLAHU ANHU AND HADHRAT ZAID BIN THAABIT RADIALLAHU ANHU HONOUR EACH OTHER
Hadhrat Ammaar bin Abu Ammaar reports that when Hadhrat Zaid bin Thaabit Radiallahu Anhu was once about to mount his animal, Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Abbaas Radiallahu Anhu held the stirrup (so that he may place his foot in it). “Go away, 0 cousin of Rasulullaah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam (we should be serving you and not you US),” Hadhrat Zaid Radiallahu Anhu bade Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Abbaas Radiallahu Anhu.
However, Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Abbaas Radiallahu Anhu said, “This is how we have been commanded to honour our Ulema and elders.” Hadhrat Zaid Radiallahu Anhu then said, “Show me your hand.” When Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Abbaas Radiallahu Anhu did so, Hadhrat zaid Radiallahu Anhu kissed the hand saying, ”This is how we have been commanded to honour the family of our Nabi Radiallahu Anhu.”(Ibn Asaakir, as quoted in Kanzul Ummaal (Vol 1 Pg 37))
Hadhrat Sha’bi reports that as Hadhrat Zaid bin Thaabit Radiallahu Anhu was about to mount his animal one day, Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Abbaas Radiallahu Anhu caught hold of the stirrup. Hadhrat Zaid Radiallahu Anhu bade Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Abbaas Radiallahu Anhu, “Go away, 0 cousin of Rasulullaah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam.”
However, Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Abbaas Radiallahu Anhu said, “This is how we honour our ulema and elders.” (1)
Another narration states when Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Abbaas Radiallahu Anhu held the stirrup of Hadhrat Zaid bin Thaabit Radiallahu Anhu’s animal, he said, “We have been commanded to hold on to the stirrup of our teachers and our seniors.” (2)
(1) Ya’qoob bin Sufyaan, as quoted in Isaabah (Vol. 1 Pg 561). Tabraani has reported a similar narration from reliable sources as confirmed by Haythami (Vo1.9 Pg 345). Ibn Sa’d (Vol. 4 Pg 175) has reported a similar narration, as has Haakim (Vol. 1 Pg 423), as quoted in lsaabah (Vol.2 Pg 332)
(2) Ibn Najjaar, as quoted in Kanzul Ummaal (Vol. 7 Pg.38).
SOURCE: THE LIVES OF THE SAHABAH
