As you read, try to find the information you listed above in the text.

II. Reading.

Before reading the text, look at the title of this unit and answer the questions.

I. Pre-Reading Tasks.

V. Critical Thinking

It is clear from the text that Zayd bin Thabit was both intelligent and hardworking. These two qualities helped Zayd to become one of the greatest scholars of Islam. Intelligence and hard work are not. however, the only qualities necessary for success in studies. Below is a list of qualities which are considered important in successful studying:

• planning (short-term) • self-discipline

• competitiveness • interest

• intelligence • energy

• motivation • good memory

• initiative • hard work

• independence • planning (long-term)

• consistency • good luck

1. In groups, use dictionaries to make sure you fully understand the meaning of each word in the list above.

2. Look at the list and agree on which four are of the least importance, and can be removed from your list of the ten most important qualities.

3. Next, put your ten characteristics in order of importance.

4. One member of each group will report the group's findings to the class, giving reasons for their choice. Other group members should be ready to answer questions and comment on the choices of other groups.

Unit 19 ABDULLAH bin UMAR (RAA).

1. You will read about a careful judge who gave away his riches to help the poor. What do you know about this person? What people or events do you think of when you hear this person's name?

2. Work in groups. List your pieces of information about Abdullah bin Umar in order of importance.

3. Compare your list with other groups. How are they similar or different?

Abdullah bin Umar (RAA) accepted Islam before he was ten years old. He emigrated from Makkah to Medina with his father and sister, Hafsah (RAA). Hafsah later became a wife of the Prophet (SAAS).

When he was young he wanted to fight for Islam. He asked for permission to fight at Badr, but was turned down. A year later he joined some boys hoping to take part in the Battle of Uhud. He was only thirteen years old. Again, the Prophet (SAAS) turned him down. Nevertheless, he was finally allowed to fight in the Battle of the Trench (Al-Khandaq) when he was fifteen years old.

For more than seventy years Abdullah served Islam. He was known for his knowledge, humility, generosity, piety, and truthfulness. He learned a lot about Islam from his father, Umar (RAA), and of course, from Muhammad (SAAS) himself. Abdullah admired the Prophet (SAAS) so much that he used to copy his actions. For example, if he saw Muhammad (SAAS) praying while standing, he would do it in exactly the same way. He watched the Prophet (SAAS) very closely so that he could copy him perfectly.

He memorized many hadiths, but did not like to repeat them in case he made a mistake. He only related hadiths that he was completely sure of in terms of the wording. Similarly, he was very cautious when making legal judgments. When the caliph Uthman (RAA) offered him the job of qadi (judge), he turned it down at first. This was a well-paid job, which brought honour and glory. He turned it down because he was afraid of making mistakes on mattersconcerning Islam. However, after a lot of persuasion, Uthman finally got Abdullah to agree to be a qadi.

Abdullah was described as the “brother of the night”. He would stay up all night performing salat, weeping, seeking the forgiveness of Allah (SWT), and reading the Quran. Sometimes he would cry when he heard verses from the Quran, especially the warning verses.

Abdullah was also a very generous person. He was a successful and trustworthy trader throughout his life. He made a lot of money. Often he would spend his money on the poor people and those in need from Al-Bait Al-Mal. One day, he received 4,000 dirhams and a velvet blanket. The next day, a man called Ayyub bin Wa’il Ar-Rasi saw him in the market buying food for his camel on credit. Ayyub wondered what he had done with the money. He went to Abdullah’s house and asked his family about the money. They told him that Abdullah had given all the money and the blanket to the poor people.

Abdullah did not think that money was important. He said that money should be a servant, not a master. It should be used to get the necessities of life, not to get luxuries. One day, a person entered his home. His name was Maymun bin Mahran. He looked at everything insidethe house — the furniture, the carpets, and so on. He added up the cost of everything. He found that all the things added up to less than just 100 dirhams.

Abdullah preferred the life of a poor man. However, he was very rich, because he was loved by Allah (SWT), the Prophet (SAAS), and all his fellow Muslims.

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