At the Doorstep of Knowledge
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It is reported from ‘Abdullâh b.
‘Abbâs – Allâh be pleased with them – that he said:
After Allâh’s Messenger – Allâh’s
peace and blessings be upon him – passed away, I said to a man from the Ansâr,
“Come, let us ask [and learn from] the Prophet’s Companions, Allâh’s peace and
blessings be upon him, for they are many in number today.” He replied, “I am
surprised at you Ibn ‘Abbâs – do you really think people need you when there
are so many Companions of the Prophet – Allâh’s peace and blessings be upon
him?” So he did not involve himself in this endeavor, but I busied myself
asking [the Companions about issues]. If I heard of a hadîth being reported by
a man, I would come to him and if he was taking his midday nap I would lay down
my garment and lie outside waiting for him, with the wind blowing dust in
my face. The man would come out [for Dhuhr] and see me in that state, and he
would exclaim, “O nephew of Allâh’s Messenger! What has brought you here? You
should have sent for me and I would have come to you!” I would say, “Rather I
should come to you [to seek knowledge].” I would then ask him about the hadîth
I heard. The man [who I originally invited to seek knowledge with me] remained
as he was, and when he saw how people would gather around me [to seek
knowledge] he said, “For sure, this young man was more intelligent than me.”
[Al-Dârimî, Al-Sunan Vol. 2 p129.]
