Chapter X: Living and Character of the Prophet
(10) Omar-b-Hubairah was governor of Basra , Kufa Madina and Syria. He called to his court Shafi of Kufa and Hasan Basari of Basra. He said to Shahi : I wish to cancel the allowances of some persons about whom I heard that they say many things against me. My wish is that they should return to my allegiance. What do you say ? He said : A ruler is like a father. Sometimes he is right and sometimes he commits mistakes for which he incures no sin.
The ruler was pleased to hear my advice. Then he said to the sage Hasan Basari : What do you say about it ? he replied : I heard the companion Abdur Rahman reporting that the Prophet said : God will make paradise unlawful for one who, being appointed to rule over the people, does not look to their welfare and provision.
Regarding the cancellation of allowances of the people I say that to preserve the right of God is more an important duty than to preserve your right. God is more fit to be obeyed. There is no permission to show allegiance to the created being disobedient to God. The letter of the commander of the Faithful can not be placed above the Book of God. Accept it if it is contrary to it. The Book of God and throw it if it is contrary to it. O Ibn Hubairah, fear God, Perchance a messenger may come to you from the Lord, of the universe. He may take you to the grave and remove you from the palace. The governor Ibn Hubairah said : O Shaikh, don't say these words. God selected the the commander of the Faithful as a ruler. Hasan Basari said : He who gives you better advice regarding religion is better than one who hopes to incure your pleasure . Shubi then said : I did never see a man more brave and learned than Hasan Basari.
(11) Ibn Ali Jubair was once present before the Caliph Mansur. Hasan-b-Zaid was then governor of Medina . Some people complained against the governor Hasan to the Caliph .
The latter asked Ibn Ali Jubair about the govneror. He said :
Hasan conducts his affairs according to his whim and does not do justice. The Caliph then asked him. What do you say about me
200 Enjoining good and forbidding evil Vol-II
? He said : I bear witness that you have sized power unjustly and there is injustice prevalent in your rule. Then the Caliph Mansur caught hold of his neck and said : Had I not been here, Persia, Byzantium, Dailam and Turkey world have snatched this place from you. After this, the Caliph released him as said: By God had I not known tha t you are a truthful man, I would ha ve killed you.