Extract: Private and Public Libraries

One of the Caliphs sent for a certain scholar to talk to him. When the servant found the scholar, he found him sitting and engrossed in reading whilst around him were many books. He said to him: "You have been called by the Amir al-Mu'mineen." He replied: "Tell him that I am presently in the company of great learned men and philosophers and engaged in conversation with them. When I have finished with them, I will come and see him." The servant returned and informed the Caliph. He asked the servant: "Who are those learned men and philosophers engaged in conversation with him." The servant replied: "By Allah, O Amir al-Mu'mineen! I did not see anyone there." The Caliph said: "Bring him here at once." When he came, the Caliph asked him: "Who were those learned men who were keeping you company." He replied: 'O Amir al-Mu'mineen'

They are companions whose talk does not bore you;
Present or absent they are constant and trustworthy.
When we in seclusion their talk is very beneficial
And helpful in taking away anxieties and worries.
They benefit us with their knowledge; knowledge of what has passes
With wisdom, affability, prudence and sound opinion.
You will neither have any apprehension nor fear of discourtesy
Nor dread of any injury from their hand or their tongue.
If I said that they are dead, I would not be a liar
And if I say they are living, I would not be lying.

The Caliph on learning that what he meant by 'learned people gathered with him' was the books of the scholars and learned people, did not reprimand him for not responding to his call immediately.

    EXcerpt:

An-Nawawis Forty Hadith
Arabic-English
Translated by Ezzedin Ibrahim and Denys Johnson-Davies
127 Pages- Paper Back- Printed in India
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Hadith 36

On the authority of Abu Huraira (mau Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet,(may the blessing and peace of allah be upon him) said::

"Whosoever removes a worldly grief from a believer, Allah will remove from him one of the grief's of the Day of Judgment. Whosoever alleviates [the lot of] a needy person, Allah will alleviate [his lot] in this world and the next. Whosoever shields a Muslim, Allah will shield him in this world and the next. Allah will aid a servant [of His] so long as the servant aids his brother. Whosoever follows a path to seek knowledge therein, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise. No people gather together in one of the houses of Allah, reciting the Book of Allah and studying it among themselves, without tranquility descending upon them, mercy enveloping them, the angels surrounding them, and Allah making mention of them amongst those who are with Him. Whosoever is slowed down by his actions will not be hastened forward by his lineage."

It Was Related by Muslim in these words.

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