False asceticism, what is red sulphur? Disassociation with the people. Feb/5/25

 Has not he heard of the Prophet’s saying: “Allah loves for His bounties to be seen upon His servant.” And I seek refuge with Allah from “seeing” one’s self (rn’ya al-nafs) and from showing-off to others (ru’ya al-khalq), because he who sees himself will become arrogant (mtaqabbir). An arrogant person is foolish (abmaq) because surely there will be another person whom is better than him one way or another.

He who shows-off to people actually worships them without knowing. As for he who works for Allah’s sake, will keep away from people. And if they come near him, he conceals his actions to cause them to stay away from him. Some people show-off but do not realize that they are doing so. They stop walking in the market place, visiting friends, and buying things bv themselves. Such behavior does bring prestige but only to real scholars.

Bishr Al-Hafi used to sit in a spice shop. And better vet was our Prophet for he used to buy his goods and carry them himself. ‘Ali Ibn Abl Talib (radiyAllahu 'anhu) once went to the market place and bought a garment while he was the leader of believers. Talhah Ibn Mutarrif was the best Qur’an reciter in Kufah. When he saw that many people have gathered around him, he began at tending the gatherings of Al-A'mash. Hence people began to attend Al-A‘mash’s gatherings and left his.

By Allah! This is red sulphur (i.e. very valuable material) and this is how dealing with Allah should be. Anything else would be an act of worshiping people, and an act of deception. Most people have become like this ... not the Salaf.

“would sacrifice myself for the sake of a group of dears, Who never knew fancy talk or dyeing eyebrows.”

Captured Thoughts, Al Jawzi CHAPTER ONE-HUNDRED-NINETY-FOUR