Abu Dharr Al-Ghifari, A Voice for Social Justice
From the history of various nations and cultures around the world, we know several legendary figures who steadfastly fought to defend the rights of the poor and the oppressed. In the United Kingdom, we know the figure of Robin Hood, who persistently fought against oppressive and corrupt rulers. In Betawi (Jakarta), there is Si Pitung, who bravely resisted the Dutch colonialists who oppressed the Indonesian people. In Islamic history, we know a figure named Abu Dharr Al-Ghifari, renowned for his tenacity in opposing the caliphs and rulers who lived in luxury during his time. The difference is that while Robin Hood and Si Pitung are considered mythical or legendary figures by some, Abu Dharr al-Ghifari was a real person. Islamic history records Abu Dharr as one of the Companions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and he was among the first people to embrace Islam.
Abu Dharr came from the Ghifar tribe, which was notorious for raiding trade caravans passing through the desert. Some historians say Abu Dharr did not take part in raiding the caravans. But others say he did participate, and that he distributed the proceeds to the poor and the needy.
When he heard that in Mecca there was a man claiming to be a Prophet and bringing a new religion, Abu Dharr became curious to find out more. At that time, the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had attracted some of the Meccan population, causing unrest among the leaders of the pagan Quraysh. Abu Dharr, who had never worshipped idols, had long been searching for the true religion. He therefore sent his brother to Mecca to investigate the truth about this new Prophet.
After spending several days in Mecca investigating the teachings of the Prophet (peace be upon him), his brother reported his findings to Abu Dharr:
"By Allah, I have only seen a man who calls people to good things and forbids them from evil things."
But Abu Dharr was not satisfied with his brother's account, which he considered incomplete. So Abu Dharr went to Mecca himself to meet the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). For a full month he studied and reflected on the teachings of Islam before deciding to become a Muslim. After embracing Islam, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) asked Abu Dharr to return to his hometown until conditions in Mecca were sufficiently safe for followers of the new religion. But instead of returning to his village, Abu Dharr went around Mecca and openly declared his conversion to Islam. As a result, Abu Dharr became the target of the fury of the pagan Quraysh, who harbored deep hostility toward those who followed the Prophet's teachings. Fortunately, Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib came to rescue Abu Dharr and urged him to return to his hometown, as the Prophet had instructed.
After returning to his hometown, Abu Dharr did not remain idle. With great enthusiasm and the knowledge he had received from the Messenger of Allah, he preached the teachings of Islam to his people until they all embraced Islam and became followers of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Abu Dharr as a Narrator of Hadith
Abu Dharr was born and raised in the settlement of the Ghiffar tribe, located midway between Mecca and Syria. Like the character of those who live in the desert, Abu Dharr was known as a Companion of the Prophet (peace be upon him) who was brave, forthright, honest, ascetic, and lived simply. During the Meccan period, Abu Dharr was close to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and regularly attended the gatherings of knowledge the Prophet held. For this reason, Abu Dharr also narrated several hadith from the Prophet (peace be upon him), among them:
Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) said,
سأَلْتُ رسولَ اللهِ صلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّم هل رأَيْتَ ربَّكَ فقال نُورٌ أنَّى أراه
"I asked the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), 'Did you see your Lord (during the Night Ascension)?' The Prophet (peace be upon him) answered, 'What I saw was only light.'" (Sahih Muslim 178a)
Abu Dharr also once asked the Messenger of Allah,
قلتُ يا رسولَ اللهِ ألا تستعمِلُني قال فضرب بيدِه على مَنكِبي ثمَّ قال يا أبا ذرٍّ إنَّك ضعيفٌ وإنَّها أمانةٌ وإنَّها يومَ القيامةِ خِزيٌ وندامةٌ إلَّا من أخذها بحقِّها وأدَّى الَّذي عليه فيها
"O Messenger of Allah, will you not assign me a position?" He (peace be upon him) patted my shoulder and said, "Abu Dharr, you are a weak man. A position is a trust. And on the Day of Resurrection it will be a cause of disgrace and regret, except for those who take it rightfully and fulfil their obligations in it." (Sahih Muslim 1825)
Disagreement With Muawiyah
After the passing of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the Islamic realm expanded greatly, reaching even beyond the Arabian Peninsula. At that time, Abu Dharr was living in Syria under the leadership of Governor Muawiyah ibn Abi Sufyan. Syria was one of the most fertile regions in the Islamic world, and its people lived in prosperity. As a result, some Muslims living in Syria became wealthy and no longer followed the simple lifestyle the Prophet (peace be upon him) had modelled.
At that time, wealth was concentrating in the hands of a small group of people, particularly those close to power, while the poor remained marginalized and without access to economic resources. This phenomenon caused deep unease in Abu Dharr.
He would often remind those who liked to accumulate wealth by citing the words of Allah in the Quran, Surah at-Tawbah, verses 34 and 35:
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِنَّ كَثِيرًۭا مِّنَ ٱلْأَحْبَارِ وَٱلرُّهْبَانِ لَيَأْكُلُونَ أَمْوَٰلَ ٱلنَّاسِ بِٱلْبَـٰطِلِ وَيَصُدُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَٱلَّذِينَ يَكْنِزُونَ ٱلذَّهَبَ وَٱلْفِضَّةَ وَلَا يُنفِقُونَهَا فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ فَبَشِّرْهُم بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍۢ
O believers! Indeed, many rabbis and monks consume people’s wealth wrongfully and hinder (others) from the Way of Allah. Give good news of a painful torment to those who hoard gold and silver and do not spend it in Allah’s cause. (At-Tawbah 9:34)
يَوْمَ يُحْمَىٰ عَلَيْهَا فِى نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ فَتُكْوَىٰ بِهَا جِبَاهُهُمْ وَجُنُوبُهُمْ وَظُهُورُهُمْ ۖ هَـٰذَا مَا كَنَزْتُمْ لِأَنفُسِكُمْ فَذُوقُوا۟ مَا كُنتُمْ تَكْنِزُونَ
The Day (will come) when their treasure will be heated up in the Fire of Hell, and their foreheads, sides, and backs branded with it. (It will be said to them,) “This is the treasure you hoarded for yourselves. Now taste what you hoarded!” (At-Tawbah 9:35)
Muawiyah, as Governor of Syria, disagreed with Abu Dharr on the interpretation of these verses. Muawiyah held the view that the verses were directed at the People of the Book, while Abu Dharr maintained that the verses referred to the condition of a group of Muslims in Syria who lived in luxury while most of the community remained poor and marginalised. Muawiyah was concerned that his disagreement with Abu Dharr over these verses would unsettle the people, especially since Abu Dharr repeatedly discussed the verses in mosques and public places.
Worried that Abu Dharr's stance, as a senior Companion of the Prophet (peace be upon him), would influence the Muslims in his region, Muawiyah reported the matter to Caliph Uthman ibn Affan. The Caliph then summoned Abu Dharr to Medina, and Abu Dharr complied. History records that in Medina, another long debate took place between the two key Companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) over the interpretation of Surah at-Tawbah, verse 34. Abu Dharr's consistent stance on the Quran's condemnation of wealth accumulation among certain groups was seen as a voice calling for social justice in society. And for Abu Dharr, this was one of the primary missions of Islamic teaching. But Abu Dharr eventually realised that he could not impose his opinions and beliefs on others. At the end of his debate with Caliph Uthman, Abu Dharr said, "I have no need for all of this." Afterwards, Abu Dharr respectfully requested Uthman's permission to move to a remote place called Ar-Rabadhah. And Uthman granted it.
Abu Dharr al-Ghifari finally passed away in exile in Rabadhah in the year 32 AH / 652 CE.
Abu Dharr's consistent criticism of social and economic inequality, even amid the expanding power of the Islamic Caliphate to all corners of the world, remains inscribed in history. And as has happened to other champions of social justice throughout the ages, Abu Dharr was ultimately ostracized. His condition was once foretold by the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) in a hadith:
رَحِمَ اللَّهُ أَبَا ذَرٍّ، يَمْشِي وَحْدَهُ، وَيَمُوتُ وَحْدَهُ، وَيُبْعَثُ وَحْدَهُ
"May Allah have mercy on Abu Dharr. He walks alone. He dies alone. And he will be resurrected alone." (Ibn Hisham in as-Sīrah 4:179)
Written by: Zaynab Ali
