122-Al-Hassan, son of ‘Ali, once said: “I saw ‘Uthman resting inside the mosque covered with an ordinary blanket, and he had no personal guards when he was the Muslim State’s Calif and commander of the believers. When he woke up in the morning, the marks of stones showed on his side, and the people would point out, saying: “This is Amir ul-Mu’mineen.”‘ (The commander of the believers).
— THE BEAUTY OF THE RIGHTEOUS & RANKS OF THE ELITE, by Imam Abu Na’im al-Asfahani
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In this report of the venerable Caliph Uthman, we get a glimpse of his wealth. One of the traditional titles given to this grand Companion of the Holy Prophet is “ghani”, often translated as “wealthy’. But this is not quite accurate.
In the Islamic sense, one who is ghani is independent. True, the wealthy are often independent and have means to do what they will. But The Almighty is free from the need for means, independent of currency. So as an extension of the Divine Attributive name Al-Ghani, the Caliph is truly more independent than wealthy.
The report above showing the Caliph resting by himself alone in the mosque provides a glimpse of his independence, his true wealth.
May we, too, become ghani, in the Islamic sense. During this holy month of Ramadan, may we also gain a richness of life free from our sins, cravings, and negative compulsions.
And there are two more weeks to cash in and acquire more freedom, inshallah.