Abu Muslim al-Khawlani
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| <region> scholar Medieval era |
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| Name: | Abu Muslim al-Khawlani |
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| The Eight Ascetics |
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Abu Muslim Al-Khawlani (d.684) was a well known tabi'i (plural: taba'een) and a very prominent religious figure in Damascus, Syria. He was one of the 'Eight Ascetics,' who included (usual list) Amir ibn Abd al-Qays, Abu Muslim al-Khawlani, Uways al-Qarani, Al-Rabi ibn Khuthaym, al-Aswad ibn Yazid, Masruq ibn al-Ajda', Sufyan al-Thawrt ibn Said and Hasan al-Basri.
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[edit] Stories of His Life
It is recorded by Sheikh 'Aa'id Abdullah al-Qarni that Al Aswad al `Ansi, a man in Yemen who claimed prophethood, asked Abu Muslim to believe in him and testify that he is a messenger. Abu Muslim told him: "I can't hear a thing." Al Aswad al `Ansi prepared firewood and threw him in fire. Abu Muslim said: Hasbuna'Llah wa ni`mal wakeel (Allah is sufficient for us and He is the best Protector" - the words that Muslims believe the prophet Ibrahim said when he was thrown in fire), so Allah made the fire cool and safe for him.[1]
[edit] During the Campaigns Against the Byzantines
Another story is mentioned concerning Abu Muslim, which has been cited by contemporary scholars of Muslim-Christian relations during the early years of the Islamic expansion:
"We [the Muslim troops] came from the land of the Byzantines returning [from battle]; when we had left Hims going towards Damascus we passed by a cultivated place which is near Hims-- about four miles-- at the end of the night. When the monk who was in the cell heard our speech, he came up to us and said: 'Who are you all?' We said: 'People from Damascus, coming from the land of the Byzantines.' He said: 'Do you know Abu Muslim al-Khawlani?' We said: 'Yes.' He said: 'When you come to him, greet him with the peace, and inform him that we find him in the Holy Books as a companion of Jesus son of Mary'."
It appears that the Christian monk sees a spiritual kinship with the Muslim, Abu Muslim al-Khawlani, and even outright says that in the messianic future when Jesus returns that there will be a unity.[2] Abu Muslim al-Khawlani died during the reign of Muawiya II in an expedition against the Byzantines. His last requests presented to his commander were as follows:
"Put me in charge of the Muslims who died fighting with you, and tie for me a banner of military command over them, and make my grave the furthest of all graves [and the nearest] to the enemy, since I wish to arrive on Resurrection Day carrying their banner."[3]
[edit] Notes
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