Qaadhi Ahmad Bin Budail Al-Kufi (rahimahullah) was a pious ‘Aalim, a great Muhaddith (hadeeth expert) and a Qaadhi (judge) of the third century. He was the student of great scholars like Wakee’ bin Jarraah and Abu Bakr bin ‘Ayyaash (rahimahumallah). Among his students is the famous Imaam Tirmizi (rahimahullah). He passed away in the year 258 A.H.
An astounding incident is mentioned regarding Qaadhi Ahmad Bin Budail (rahimahullah). Abul Qaasim ‘Ubaidullah bin Sulaimaan narrates that he used to work as a scribe for the leader Moosa bin Bugha, and Qaadhi Ahmad bin Budail (rahimahullah) was the judge at that time.
Moosa bin Bugha once intended to develop a piece of land, in which he had shares. However, one of the shareholders of this land was an orphan child. Abul Qaasim, the scribe of Moosa bin Bugha, thus went to Qaadhi Ahmad bin Budail (rahimahullah) and requested him to act on behalf of the orphan and sell the share to them so that they could proceed with the development. Ahmad bin Budail (rahimahullah) declined and explained that he did not feel it in the best interest of the orphan to sell his share of the land and take money in exchange, as some disaster (e.g. theft, loss, etc.) could afflict the money, and he would thus be the cause of it.
Abul Qaasim persisted in trying to convince him to sell the orphan’s share, even offering to pay double the value of the share, but Qaadhi Ahmad bin Budail (rahimahullah) still refused. After exhausting all avenues, Abul Qaasim finally pleaded to him saying, “O Qaadhi! Please do it, for indeed he (i.e. the person requesting) is Moosa bin Bugha (the leader).” Ahmad bin Budail (rahimahullah) responded, “May Allah Ta‘ala grant you honour, indeed He (i.e. the Being for whom I am refusing) is Allah.”
After hearing this statement Abul Qaasim felt embarrassed to continue asking him. He thus returned to the leader Moosa bin Bugha and related to him the entire incident. When Moosa bin Bugha heard the last statement of the Qaadhi, in which he mentioned that protecting the wealth of the orphan was the command of Allah Ta‘ala, he burst into tears and began repeating the words of the Qaadhi over and over again. He then forbade Abul Qaasim from interfering with this land, and asked him to instead see if this pious Qaadhi had any needs which they could fulfil for him.
Abul Qaasim went back to Qaadhi Ahmad bin Budail (rahimahullah) and told him that the leader had decided not to go ahead with the development of the land because of what the Qaadhi had said. He also mentioned to him that the leader had asked him to see to his needs. Upon hearing this, the Qaadhi made du‘aa for Moosa bin Bugha. He further explained that his only need was for his salary to resume since he had not received it for a few months and this had made things difficult for him.
(Taareekh Baghdaad vol. 5, pg. 82)
Lessons:
1. When a person truly understands the greatness of Allah Ta‘ala and the importance of His commands, then no matter what or who comes in front of him, he will always put Allah Ta‘ala first. He will never risk his relationship with Allah Ta‘ala for anyone or anything. For this reason, Qaadhi Ahmad bin Budail (rahimahullah) did not relent despite the request coming from the leader of the time. He thus explained that the request for selling the share may be coming from the leader, Moosa bin Bugha, but protecting the wealth of this orphan is the command of Allah Ta‘ala.
2. Our Deen teaches us that a trustee must act in the best interest of the people or the organisation which he represents. If he fails to do so, and makes decisions for his personal interests, or for the benefit of his family and friends, he will be held accountable in the court of Allah Ta‘ala. Furthermore, it becomes even more sensitive when he is representing women or children, since they generally cannot fight for their rights.
3. When someone advises us, or explains the command of Allah Ta‘ala to us, he is actually doing us a very great favour. Hence, instead of becoming upset with him, we should be very appreciative of him and practice on his advice, even if he may be junior to us. Although Moosa Bin Bugha was the leader, and could have thus gone ahead with his development plans, he instead practiced on the advice of Qaadhi Ahmad bin Budail (rahimahullah) and appreciated it.