Abu Hazim al-Makki [quddisa sirruhu] lived a long life. Renowned for his eloquence, his words resonated deeply within the hearts of all who heard them. He belonged to the great generation of the Tabi’in and had the privilege of meeting esteemed Sahaba such as Anas ibn Malik and Abu Hurayra [radiyallahu anhum]. Abu Hazim exemplified simplicity and contentment, embodying a life free from worldly desires.
Once, as he passed by a butcher's shop displaying freshly cut meat, the butcher noticed him and offered,
- Come in and take some; the meat is fresh.”
Abu Hazim replied,
- I have no money.
The butcher generously said,
- I’ll let you pay later.”
To this, Abu Hazim responded,
- But I do not give credit; better that my soul craves meat than money.
The butcher, noticing Abu Hazim’s frail form, said,
- But your ribs are showing!
Abu Hazim replied calmly,
- What I have is sufficient for the worms in my grave.
His Sayings
Abu Hazim’s life was a treasury of insight. On one occasion, Caliph Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik sought his counsel, asking:
- What is the way to attain ease in matters of governance and statecraft?
Abu Hazim replied:
- Ensure that every dirham you take is from a lawful source and that every dirham you spend is placed in its rightful due.
The Caliph asked,
- But who has the strength to achieve such a standard?
Abu Hazim answered,
- The one who flees from Hellfire, seeks Paradise, and aspires for the pleasure of the Merciful.
He also offered profound admonitions about the fleeting nature of worldly life:
"Beware of the world. On the Day of Judgment, a servant who fulfilled all acts of worship but loved the world will be brought before the assembly. A caller will announce: ‘Look at this person who cherished what Allah had made base and despised.’"
Abu Hazim often reminded his audience:
"Nothing in this world brings you joy except that beneath it lies sorrow. Pure delight is not to be found in this realm."
"Even a small worldly occupation can distract you from great matters of the Hereafter."
“I have discovered life’s truths in two realities: one is mine, and the other belongs to someone else. No matter how much I flee from what is destined for me, it reaches me. And no matter how much I strive for what belongs to another, it eludes me.”
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When asked about his wealth, Abu Hazim responded:
"My wealth is my contentment with Allah and my freedom from dependence on people. A person who looks to creation for their needs cannot truly be content with the Creator."
He also advised, "A person should guard their tongue more vigilantly than their steps."
Reflecting on the degradation of scholarly integrity, he lamented:
"I knew scholars before me whose doors were humbly sought by rulers and nobles. Today, I see the opposite—jurists, scholars, and worshippers standing in deference before the gates of the wealthy and the powerful. Witnessing this, the rulers and the rich presume, ‘If what they possess were better than what we have, they would not behave this way toward us.’"
Abu Hazim al-Makki [quddisa sirruhu] was a beacon of unwavering devotion and moral clarity in an age of growing materialism. Through his words and actions, he illuminated the path of detachment from the fleeting world and dedication to the eternal. His wisdom, steeped in humility and truth, continues to inspire those who seek a life aligned with divine pleasure.
