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brethren who had carried the standard of Islam with the Prophet (PBUH) and whom he wanted to remain
the carriers of the Prophet's message (PBUH).
Power and money were, furthermore, the backbone of societies and communities. If misused, the
destiny of people would encounter serious and imminent danger.
Abu Dhar wished so much that the Prophet's companions would not be appointed as governors and
would not collect fortunes, but would rather stay as they always had been: as spiritual guides to the right
path for Allah's worshipers.
He knew well the voracity of life and the voracity of money, and he knew that the example of Abu
Dhar and `Umar was never going to be repeated! How often did he hear the Prophet (PBUH) asking his
Companions to be aware of the temptation of authority saying, "It's a deposition in trust, and on the Day
of Resurrection it will be a shame and regret except to the one who was endowed with it justly and
accomplished his duty."
Abu Dhar went so far that he avoided his brethren if he did not boycott them, for no other reason
than that they had become rules and, of course, had become wealthier.
Abu Muusaa Al-Ash'ariy once met him. He had hardly seen him when he stretched his arms with
joy and delight shouting, "Welcome Abu Dhar! Welcome my brother!" But Abu Dhar held himself back
saying, "I am not your brother; I was so before you became an administrator and governor".
In the same way, Abu Hurairah once met and embraced him in welcome, but Abu Dhar pushed him
back and said, "Isn't it you who became goveror, then extended your buildings and possessed plantations
and cattle?" Abu Hurairah defended himself, trying to prove his innocence and refute those rumors.
It may seem that Abu Dhar had an exaggerated position towards power and wealth, but he had a
logic which was shaped by his sincerity to himself and his faith. Thus, Abu Dhar stood with his dreams,
deeds, behavior, and viewpoints according to the same standard the Prophet (PBUH) and his two
Companions Abu Bakr and `Umar had left behind.
If some people saw that standard to be an out-of-reach ideal, Abu Dhar saw it to be an example
charting the path of life and toil especially for those who had actually experienced the Prophet (PBUH),
prayed behind him, taken part in jihaad with him, and sworn the oath of allegiance to him.
In addition to that - as mentioned before - his inspired intellect knew the decisive influence of power
and property in determining people's destiny. Therefore, any disturbance which might afflict the
trustworthiness of power or the fairness of wealth represents an imminent danger which must be resisted
and opposed.
As long as he lived, Abu Dhar upheld the standard of the Prophet (PBUH) and his two Companions'
good example. He was a great figure in the art of predominance over the temptation of power and wealth.
The governorship of Iraq was once offered to him, but he said, "By Allah, you will never tempt me with
your world."
Once, one of his companions saw him wearing an old gown and asked him, "Don't you have another
one? I saw you a couple of days ago with two other gowns in your hands." Abu Dhar replied, "O cousin!
I gave them to someone who needed them more than I do." He said to him, " By Allah, you need them!"
Abu Dhar then answered, "May Allah forgive us. You glorify this life! Can't you see that I am wearing a
gown? And I own another one for the congregational Friday prayer. Moreover, I own a goat which I milk
and a donkey which I ride. Is there a better blessing?"
He once sat down talking to people and said, "My friend advised me to do seven things: