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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Attraction and Repulsion of Ali (a.s.) Instances From the History of Islam ( 71 ) In the history of Islam, we come across notable and unprecedented events of intense love and devotion of the Muslims with the personality of the Prophet, and.

virtually this is the difference between the School of Prophets and the School of Philosophers: The pupils of philosophers are only their students and the philosophers do not impress them more than a teacher does; but the Prophets: their impression is that of a beloved, such a beloved who has found way unto the depths of lover's heart and has gripped all the veins of his life. From amongst those dedicated to the Prophet, one is Abu Zar Ghifari.

When the Prophet ordered an advance towards Tabook (about 450 miles to the north of Madina in the vicinity of Syria), some of the Muslims became reluctant and the hypocrites created mischief. Ultimately, the invigorated army moved ahead. They did not have arsenal of the warriors. They were facing scarcity and shortage of provisions too. Sometimes a few soldiers would live on a single date. But all of them were happy and jubilant.

Love had invigorated them and the Prophet's attraction had graced them with strength. Abu Zar also was amongst the army moving towards Tabook. Midway, three persons, one after the other, lagged behind. Whenever any one would lag behind the Prophet was informed of him, and every time he would say, "If there is any good for us in him. God may revert him to us and if there is no good in him, it is better that he has gone". The weak and thin camel of Abu Zar could no longer walk.

They saw Abu Zar was also lagging behind. They said, "Oh Prophet of Allah! Abu Zar has also gone". The Prophet again said, "If he is good for us, Allah will reunite him with us, and if there is no good in him, it is better that he has gone". The army moved along and Abu Zar stranded behind, but not out of treachery, his animal had betrayed him. He did all that he could with it but it would not move. He was a few miles behind the army. He released the camel and carried the load on his shoulders.

In the hot summer and in scorching heat of the desert, he moved ahead. He got thirsty, reaching the verge of death. He searched a rock and found rainy water having collected there. He tasted it. It was cold and sweet. He said unto himself, "I will not drink it as long as my beloved, the Prophet, has not tasted it".