Malik in Kufa

Adopted from the Book : "Malik al-Ashtar" by : "Kamal al-Seyyed"

After some days stay in Basrah, the Imam headed for Kufa.

Malik al-Ashtar fought as bravely as a lion. So, the enemies were afraid of him.

But on the normal days, he looked a poor man. He wore simple clothing. He walked humbly. Thus most people did not know him.

One day, while Malik al-Ashtar was walking was walking in the street, a foolish person was eating some dates and throwing the stones about.

Malik al-Ashtar passed before the foolish person. He threw a stone at Malik. The stone hit him on the back. The foolish person began laughing at him.

A man saw the foolish person. He said to him:

What are you doing? Do you know that man?

The foolish person answered:

No, who is he?

He's Malik al-Ashtar!

Malik went on walking. He did not pay attention to the foolish person. He remembered how the polytheists treated our Master Muhammad [s] in Makkah. They threw dust and rubbish at him but he kept silent.

Malik came into mosque. He began praying for Allah to forgive the foolish person. The man ran quickly. He came into the mosque. He embraced Malik apologizing and saying:

I want to apologize to you for my bad behavior! So, accept my apology.

Malik answered with a smile:

Brother, don't worry. By Allah, I've entered the mosque to pray for Allah to forgive you.