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Louder and louder was Abu Dhar's anthem to be heard everywhere: "Announce to those who hoard
up gold and silver the warning of branding irons." Mu'aawiyah felt the danger of the words of the great,
honorable, and rebellious Companion who terrified him. Yet Mu'aawiyah appreciated his value and did
not harm him, but he immediately wrote to the Caliph `Uthmaan say Allah be pleased with him), "Abu
Dhar spoils the people in Syria."
`Uthmaan sent for Abu Dhar, asking him to come to Al-Madiinah. Abu Dhar set off from Syria with
kindness, affection, and honor. His farewell day was celebrated in Syria in a manner Damascus had never
witnessed the like of.
"I don't need your world!" That is what Abu Dhar said to the Caliph `Uthmaan after be reached Al-
Madlinah and a prolonged conversation took place between them.
After this conversation and after having heard the news coming from all different regions of the
Muslim world, it was confirmed that Abu Dhar's opinions had actually agitated the multitudes, who
began to crystallize around them. It was at that time that `Uthmaan began to truly realize the actual
danger of Abu Dhar's opinion and its strength. He therefore decided to keep him beside him at Al-
Madiinah.
`Uthmaan presented to him his decision in a very kind and friendly way. He said to him, "Stay here
beside me. You will be endowed with blessings day and night." Abu Dhar then answered, "I don't need
your world."
Indeed, he did not need people's world. He was one of those saints who searched for the enrichment
of their soul, dedicating his life to giving, not to receiving!
He asked the Caliph `Uthmaan (May Allah be pleased with him) to allow him to go out to Ar-
Rabadhah, and he allowed him. Despite his fierce opposition, he stayed dose to Allah and His Prophet
(PBUH) in a very honest way, always keeping within his soul the Prophet's advice never to carry a
sword. It was as if the Prophet had seen the whole of Abu Dhar's destiny and future, so he bestowed upon
him this precious advice.
Abu Dhar never hid his annoyance when seeing those who liked to ignite the flames of civil strife
by using his words and opinions as a mean to satisfy their passionate desire and cunning deceits.
One day, while in Ar-Rabadhah, a delegation from Kufa came to ask him to raise the flag of
revolution against the caliph. He drove them back with decisive words: "By Allah, if `Uthmaan was to
crucify me on the longest board or on a mountain, I would patiently obey, for Allah's reward would be
waiting for me, and I see it to be the best for me. And if he was to force me to walk from one end of the
horizon to the other, I would patiently obey, for Allah's reward would be waiting for me, and I see it to
be the best for me. And if he was to force me back to my home I would patiently obey, for Allah's reward
would be waiting for me, and I see it to be the best for me."
He was a man who was not interested in any worldly gain; thus he was blessed with insight by
Allah. He realized again the tremendous danger involved in armed civil strife; therefore, he abstained
from it. But he also realized the tremendous danger involved in silence; therefore, he abstained from it.
That is why he raised his voice, not his sword, and raised the word of truth and sincerity.
He was not tempted by greedy desires nor hindered by worldly obstacles.
Abu Dhar kept himself busy with and devoted himself to sincere, honest opposition.
He spent his whole life focusing on the faults of power and the faults of money. Thus power and
money possessed the temptation. Abu Dhar was afraid his brethren would fall into their traps - his same