How numerous are the pretenders of asceticism, and how few are the true ascetics!
Asceticism in this world does not mean abandoning it, renouncing it completely, and seeking refuge in a dark cave or a distant place of worship. This is not from Islam. If every Muslim were to do so, or if they were to follow the image depicted by Imam Ghazali in certain pages of Ihya Ulum al-Din, no nation would remain on earth to invite others to Allah, to strive for the exaltation of His word, to be the best nation brought forth for mankind—deserving of leadership over the world, eliminating falsehood with strength, and fulfilling humanity’s aspirations for justice and righteousness.
Rather, Genuine Asceticism is what the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions practiced. Who was more ascetic than the Messenger of Allah? The Companions were servants of Allah yet leaders of the world—humble toward the believers, yet firm and dignified against the disbelievers.
Among them were those who chose contentment with little, who were pleased with a simple life from Allah, harboring no desire for wealth in their hearts. They did not grieve over what they lacked, just as the Prophet (PBUH) himself lived. Others among them possessed great wealth, but their wealth remained in their hands, not in their hearts. Their trust was in Allah, not in their wealth. They earned it through effort and spent it with a willing heart. Their prosperity did not make them arrogant, nor did they lament its loss.
This is Genuine Asceticism. A wealthy man like Usman, Zubair, or Abdul Rahman may, in reality, be more ascetic than many who wear coarse woolen garments, survive on bread and salt, and sleep on the bare ground—while their hearts remain attached to the world and their eyes longingly fixed on the wealth of the rich.
Islam does not prohibit wealth, nor does it forbid its accumulation as long as the owner fulfills the obligation of zakat. The view attributed to Abu Zarr was his personal opinion, and other Companions, who were more knowledgeable and had a deeper understanding of Islam, opposed him. None of the great juristic scholars adopted his stance.
The Genuine Ascetic
I want to speak to you about an ascetic who truly understood the essence of asceticism. Outwardly, he appeared like those attached to the world, yet his heart was always filled with the remembrance of Allah. He concealed his good deeds, whereas many so-called ascetics sought to showcase their righteousness. He shunned power and authority, while others crowded at his door. He eagerly followed the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), while people pursued innovations. He regarded himself as insignificant, while others were immersed in arrogance and self-importance.
Yet, he was not merely a worshipper—he was also a hadith scholar, a jurist, and a knowledgeable scholar. Unlike ignorant worshippers, whom Satan may deceive and mislead, he was a learned and discerning worshipper before whom even the devils would despair and retreat.
