The Embodiment of Piety and Humility
Muhammad ibn Wasi [quddisa sirruhu] was a paragon of asceticism and devotion, known for his unyielding sincerity and unwavering connection to Allah. Malik ibn Dinar famously divided the reciters of the Qur’an into two categories: those who ingratiated themselves with rulers and played the part of devout worshipers when among the pious, and those like Muhammad ibn Wasi, who lived in true fidelity to their faith. Malik declared him to be among “the reciters of the Most Merciful.”
Muhammad ibn Mihzam attested that he would fast for an entire year without anyone suspecting it, and Ja'far ibn Sulayman remarked that observing Muhammad rekindled his own zeal for worship whenever it waned. Even Hasan al-Basri [quddisa sirruhu], a towering figure of his time, referred to Muhammad as “the adornment of the Qur’an.”
Hujwiri, the author of Kashf al-Mahjub, recorded that Muhammad ibn Wasi declared, “In everything, I see Allah.” Hujwiri elaborated that such words could only arise from the spiritual station of mushahada (witnessing) and offered an expansive explanation of this lofty state.
A Life of Simplicity and Integrity
Muhammad ibn Wasi maintained a strict distance from rulers and those in positions of worldly power. When Emir Bilal ibn Burda asked about his views on predestination, Muhammad responded:
- O Emir! On the Day of Judgment, Allah will not ask His servants about predestination; He will ask them about their deeds.
To those who questioned whether he truly knew Allah, his reply was succinct yet profound: - - The one who truly knows Allah speaks little and remains in awe.
Muhammad’s philosophy of life revolved around self-reliance and contentment. He regarded earning one’s livelihood as a form of zakah (alms) for the body and frequently counseled on patience, trust in Allah, and acceptance of divine will. For him, the most meaningful act of worship was seeking refuge in Allah from the distractions of the world. He believed that when a person wholeheartedly turns to Allah, Allah in turn inclines the hearts of others toward them.
Muhammad described the Qur’an as “the garden of the gnostics” and defined Sufism as reverence, self-discipline, contentment, and humility—one of the earliest recorded definitions of Sufism, marking its foundational ethos.
Sometimes, overwhelmed by hunger, Muhammad would visit the home of Hasan al-Basri [quddisa sirruhu] with his companions and eat whatever was available. Hasan al-Basri, upon discovering this, would joyfully remark,
- Blessed is the one who begins their day hungry, ends it hungry, and remains pleased with Allah, the Most Mighty and Majestic.
Sayings of Muhammad ibn Wasi
- When asked how he was, he replied, “How should one be whose life diminishes while their sins increase?”
- To those inquiring about predestination, he answered, “On the Day of Resurrection, Allah will not ask you about predestination. Instead, He will ask, ‘What have you done?’”
- To someone fixated on the concept of fate, he advised, “Your closest neighbors are those in their graves. Forget fate and contemplate their state; such reflection will suffice as your preoccupation.”
