A Ruby in the Rubble

Once, during the early days of the British administration in India,in Kandhla,(Uttar Pradesh), arose a dispute between the Hindus and the Muslims.
This dispute concerned a plot of land which both of them claimed as their place of worship. It escalated to such a level that they two opposing parties were nearly up in arms as they saw no other way of resolving the issue.


An English Collector of the district was designated to dissolve the dispute. He inquired from the Muslims if they could name a Hindu in whose honesty they had full confidence, so that that the case might be decided on the basis of his evidence. The Muslims said that they knew of no such Hindu.

The collector then asked the Hindus whether there was a Muslim upon whose word they would be willing to let the decision of the dispute be made. The Hindus said that, grave as the matter was, there was a Muslim scholar who had never uttered a falsehood and it could be hoped that he would not compromise his integrity over the issue in hand.
That scholar was known as Mufti Ilahi Bakhsh (1748-1829). He was a renowned jurist, physician and poet.

The Collector, thereupon, summoned him to his court, but he declined. Due to the occupation of the British in India and the atrocities the regime carried out against the natives, the scholar had sworn never to look at the face of an Englishman. The Collector said that he need not look at his face if he did not want to, but come he must, because the matter in dispute was serious and its settlement hinged on whether he came or not.


The scholar agreed. He came with his face covered with a mask and stood in the court, his back turned towards the Collector so that there could be no possibility of his vow being broken.


The case was explained to him, and he was asked to state whether he knew anything about the ownership of the plot. The scholar declared that the plot in dispute belonged to the Hindus; the Muslims had nothing to do with it. The Collector decided accordingly. The Muslims lost the case, but ‘truth’ scored a magnificent victory. Upon seeing the conduct of the scholar and his zeal to stand up for the truth even if it meant passing a verdict against his 'own people' a great number of Hindus embraced Islam on that very day.
Amazingly enough they even gave the land documents back to the scholar so that he may build a mosque there so that they could join the Muslims in worship.




The Holy Qur'an

“Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and fair preaching and argue with them in a way that is better”
[Quran 16:125].


O People who Believe! Be firm in establishing justice, giving witness for Allah, even if it is harmful to yourselves or parents or relatives; whether the one you testify against is wealthy or poor, for in any case Allah has the greater right over it; then do not follow your wishes for you may stray from the truth; and if you distort testimony or turn away, then Allah is Well Aware of your deeds.
Quran (4: 135)


The reason many a society crumble is when truth and honesty of its members is lost.
Lo! Even it's fragrance is hard to smell in the times of today.



You may think, this can't be me. He is just a ruby in the rubble.

But don't forget.

A diamond is just a chunk of coal that got its beauty from withstanding pressure.


And Allah knows best.