On one occasion a man visited the great saint and scholar, Sufyaan Thauri (rahimahullah). He brought along one or two bags of silver coins. The father of this visitor was a very close friend of Sufyaan Thauri (rahimahullah). They had such a close relationship, that Sufyaan (rahimahullah) would frequently visit him and even take an afternoon siesta at his house. The man asked Sufyaan Thauri (rahimahullah) to share some memories of his father.

Sufyaan Thauri (rahimahullah) fondly recalled the man’s father, praising his virtues and making du‘aa for him. The son then said to Sufyaan Thauri (rahimahullah), “You know very well how I earned this money. I would love you to accept this (money) which I have brought and use it for your family.”

Sufyaan Thauri (rahimahullah) accepted the money, and the man departed. However, as soon as he left, Sufyaan Thauri (rahimahullah) turned to his brother, Mubaarak bin Sa‘eed (rahimahullah), and instructed him to call the man back. When the man returned, Sufyaan Thauri (rahimahullah) said to him, “O my nephew, I would like you to accept this money from me. (Although) I had accepted it from you, but I wish that you take it back with you.”

The man asked, “Do you have any reservations regarding this wealth?” Sufyaan Thauri (rahimahullah) assured him that he had no reservations, but still persisted in his request until the man finally relented and took the money back.

Mubaarak (rahimahullah) could not control himself and thus asked his brother, Sufyaan (rahimahullah), “Is your heart (made) of stone? Do you not have any dependents? Can you not have mercy upon me (by taking the money and giving it to me)? Can you not have mercy on your brothers (by giving it to them)? Will you not have mercy on our children (by spending it on them)?”

Mubaarak (rahimahullah) continued in this manner until Sufyaan Thauri (rahimahullah) finally responded to him saying, “O Mubaarak, you will happily enjoy it, and I will be questioned regarding it (on the Day of Qiyaamah). I will never allow this to happen.”

(Tareekh Baghdaad vol. 10, pg. 229)

Lesson:

Although Sufyaan Thauri (rahimahullah) was confident that the wealth offered to him was permissible, he still chose to give it back. His decision stemmed from the fear of being held accountable and answerable for this wealth before Allah Ta‘ala on the Day of Qiyaamah. If this was his fear of answerability despite the wealth being from a halaal source, how much more fearful must a person be when it comes to wealth from doubtful or even haraam sources.