The story of Lukman ibn Anqa ibn Sadun/ibn tharan
Lukman ibn Anqa ibn Sadun/ibn tharan was a pious man who exerted himself in worship. He was an Ethiopian slave who worked as a carpenter, and belonged to the block men of Egypt. Allah offered Lukman the opportunity to choose between being given immense wisdom and prophethood, and he chose wisdom.
When asked why he preferred wisdom to prophethood, he said ‘If Allah was to assign me with prophethood, I would accept it and try to win His pleasure, but He enabled me to choose. I feared of being too weak for prophet hood, so I chose wisdom’
Indeed, for his wisdom, he was a judge during the lifetime of Prophet Daud (Peace be upon him). Lukman was raised to such a high state because of his trust, telling the truth and not minding what did not concern him; lowering his gaze and watching his tongue. Lukman status was also raised because he only ate what is lawful, protected his chastity, and kept his promises. He also fulfilled his commitments, was hospitable to guests, and was always respectfull to his neighbor.
His excellent advice to his son, and therefore to mankind, is rightly indicated in the Holy Quran, Chapter 31 (Surat Lukman). Among other lessons, Lukman’s wisdom emphasises:
- Performing prayer in its right time.
- Enjoining people in Islamic monotheism and forbidding disbelief.
- Bearing with patience any tribulations and misfortunes
- Entrusting everything with Allah, who has vowed to preserve it, and increase it.
- Avoiding boastfulness and arrogance
- Saying and wishing salaam to humanity
- Fearing Allah not to gain the honor of people around us while our hearts are sinful
- Not befriending a fool, they may think you approve of their foolishness
- Do not take the wise man’s rage easily that he may abstain from you.
- Be silent- if words are silver, silence is golden
- Set apart with evil and it will set apart from you for evil begets nothing but evil
- Choose between gatherings- Do not sit in a gathering in which Allah is not mentioned
- Let your speech be good and your face be smiling you will gain what you give or harvest what you sow
- Love your friend and the friend of your father
- There is no good for you that you learn something new while you do not practice what you learnt previously
The above, among many others make part of Lukman’s wisdom bequeathed to the world. This is the name of our school, and we seek to live and grow by the wisdom of Lukman Lukman ibn Anqa ibn Sadun/ibn tharan
(Compiled by Joweria Bagonza, Member School Management Committee – Staff and Pupils Welfare).