The Salaf were the furthest people from love for fame and popularity.
Al-Imaam Shu'bah reported that Al-Imaam Ayyoob as-Sakhtiyaanee, Allaah's mercy on both, said:
ذكرت ولا Ø£Øبت أن أذكر
'I became mentioned while I never loved to be mentioned.' (Siyar:6/22)
Al-Imaam Shu'bah - rahimahullaah - also said:
'I would sometime go out with Ayyoob for a need and he would not let me accompany him. He would take all the hidden routes lest he was discovered.' (Siyar:6/22)
Hammaad - rahimahullaah - said:
'I would go out with him (Ayyoob) and would begin to take some routes I would wonder how he knew them. He was doing that so as to run away from the people lest they say: This is Ayyoob.' (Siyar: 10/476)
Bishr bn Haarith - rahimahullaah - said:
ما اتقى الله من Ø£Øب الشهرة
'He does not fear Allaah he who loves popularity.' (Siyar: 11/216)
Al-Imaam Ahmad - rahimahullaah - said:
أريد أن أكون ÙÙŠ شعب مكة Øتى لا أعرÙØŒ وقد بليت بالشهرة.
'I wish that I am at the mountain top of Makkah where I will not be known. Indeed I have been afflicted with fame.' (Siyar: 11/210)
The news got to Al-Imaam Ahmad that some people were making supplications for him, he said:
ليته لا يكون استدراجا
'Hope it would not be a test (for him).' (Siyar: 11: 211)
He also told a student of his who related to him that people were speaking good of him:
يا أبا بكر، إذا عر٠الرجل Ù†Ùسه Ùما ينÙعه كلام الناس
'O Abu Bakr! When a person knows himself, what the people say about him would not avail him.'
He also said to another person who brought such praises to him:
أسأل الله أن لا يجعلنا مرآئين
'I pray Allaah does not make us people who show off.' (Siyar: 11/211)
[It has been said for long:
Øب الظهور يقصم الظهور
'The love for fame breaks the back.']
May Allaah save us from all evil intentions.
Click here for part one of this article.
