The Capital of the Believer

Know, my son: the capital of the believer is his religion. He does not leave it behind in luggage, nor does he entrust it to men who have been "made foot-soldiers" (urjilu) away from recognition. Science is his nobility, Faith is his knowledge, Recognition is his sufficiency, Poverty is his attribute, Hunger is his craft, Truthfulness is his speech, Worship is his vigilance, and the Truthful ones are his brothers. Whoever possesses this way of life, it is likely that Paradise shall be his station. By God, I have advised you as my father and master advised me, and I have delivered you to that which I was delivered—to the recognition of God the Mighty and Sublime with which He gifted me. It is the upright religion of God and His Straight Path. May God make that settled and firm with you. Beware of bestowing it, broadcasting it, squandering it, or wasting it. In that which I have bequeathed to you, commanded you, forbidden you, and alerted you to, there is sufficiency and contentment. May God increase your insight.

Abu Bakr al-Dirabi and the Numayriyya

(622) Sheikh Abu al-Fath Muhammad ibn al-Hasan related it, saying: Muhammad ibn al-Shahid, Abu Bakr Zayd ibn al-Darabi, and the Qadi Abu al-Abbas Ahmad ibn Yusuf narrated to me, raising the tradition to Qays ibn Sa’d ibn Ubada al-Khazraji — may God be pleased with him — who said: I heard my Master Amir Almuminin — exalted be his glory — say: "When the Messenger of God — exalted be his glory — went out to present himself at the market of Ukadh, and with him was Abu Bakr Abd Allah ibn Uthman — may God curse him — the Prophet stopped by Di’bil al-Numayri. Abu Bakr debated him, but Di’bil cut him off [in argument]."

The Prophet said to him [Abu Bakr] after his return: "How did you find the Numayri? There is no calamity (tamma) but that above it is a calamity." Abu Bakr said: "May God curse Numayr." The Messenger of God — exalted be his glory — said to him: "Do not do so, for God has a secret in Numayr that must appear at the end of time." From Him that he said: "God has indeed magnified Numayr."