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There
were many of them because Madinah was the seat of learning.
Anyone who was interested in Islamic scholarship took the
chance of performing pilgrimage to visit the Prophet(pbuh)'s
Mosque in Madinah and stay there for sometime to attend
the circles of its distinguished scholars. Most prominent
among them was Saeed. He believed that a scholar should
always give an example of how Islamic learning influences
one's behaviour. The purpose of learning more about Islam
is to be able to conduct one's life according to its principles.
He, therefore, steered away from the company of rulers and
those who exercised influence in the state. At that time,
a scholar was always made welcome by rulers and governors.
Had he wished, Saeed could have been in the political lime
light throughout his life. Yet nothing of the benefits which
would have accrued to him from leading such a life was of
any value in his view. He never accepted a gift from a ruler.
He earned his living as a small businessman, dealing mainly
in oil and other food products. It is said that his capital
was as little as 400 dinars. To give an example of how worldly
comforts meant so little to him, it is useful to relate
this story. Abdulmalik ibn Marwan was able to consolidate
his position as caliph, ruling the whole Muslim world, after
eight years of civil war which marked the beginning of his
reign. After he managed to establish his rule, he wanted
to appoint his son as the crown prince. He sought the pledge
of loyalty to his son, Al Waleed, in all provinces. Saeed
declined to give that pledge. Abdulmalik tried to win him
over and sent emissaries with a proposal of marriage which
would have united Saeed's daughter with Al Waleed, the crown
prince. Saeed refused even to discuss it. On the same day,
he married his daughter to one of his students. That lucky
bridegroom was penniless. Nevertheless, Saeed considered
him a better husband to his daughter because of his knowledge
of Islam and dedication to its cause. Saeed suffered for
his troubles by being beaten up by the ruler of the Madinah
province and he was imprisoned. But he considered all that
a small price for saving his daughter from living in the
ruler's palace. Saeed died in the year 94 A.H at the age
of 79.
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