Story of Luqman Al-Hakim: We’re all probably familiar with the name Luqman Al-Hakim. We are familiar with his name, some of his great wisdom, and a few of his well-known proverbs. Did you know that the Quran contains a whole chapter devoted to this honorable slave of Allah. He wasn’t even a prophet, either! We still know him decades later, and those who follow us till the end of time will also be familiar with him. He was a common man with extraordinary talents, who was honored by Allah SWT in giving him wisdom, by virtue of which his name has been eternally engraved in the Quran. SubhanAllah.
However, who was he and why is he so well-known? What is the famous Story of Luqman al-hakim? What is the renowned piece of advice he gave his son? people know little about the Story of Luqman al-hakim. Let’s read the Story of Luqman al-hakim in this article:
Story of Luqman al-hakim
The full name of Luqman Al-Hakim was Luqman Ibn ‘Anqa’ Ibn Sadun; he was an Ethiopian slave who worked as a carpenter. He was a member of the black population of southern Egypt from Nubia. He had large lips, a flat nose, and a short stature.
Also Read: How Islam came to Africa
Ibn Abu Hatim said: “I was told by my father after Al-‘Abbas Ibn Al-Walid after Zaid Ibn Yahya Ibn ‘Ubaid Al-Khuza’i after Sa’id Ibn Bashir that Qatadah said:
Luqman was given the opportunity by Almighty Allah to choose between wisdom and prophethood, and he (Luqman) decided that wisdom was more valuable. Then, while he was dozing, Gabriel (as) arrived and showered him with wisdom. And the following morning, he started articulating it.
and Allah is the wisest.
In this verse, Allah swt describes Luqman:
And indeed We bestowed upon Luqman Al-Hikmah (wisdom and religious understanding, etc.) saying: “Give thanks to Allah,” and whoever gives thanks, he gives thanks for (the good of) his ownself. And whoever is unthankful, then verily, Allah is All-Rich (Free of all wants), Worthy of all praise.
(Luqman 31:12)
Al-Awzai said,” Abdur-Rahman bin Harmalah told me; ‘A black man came to Sa`id bin Al-Musayyib to ask him a question, and Sa`id bin Al-Musayyib said to him:
“Do not be upset because you are black, for among the best of people were three who were black: Bilal, Mahja` the freed slave of Umar bin Al-Khattab, and Luqman the Wise, who was a black Nubian with thick lips.”
According to rumors, Luqman was taken hostage and later sold into slavery. The buyer was a wonderful man who treated Luqman with kindness all the time. There is a well-known story involving Luqman and his master.
One day, he was instructed to kill a sheep and bring the two good parts to his master. After killing the sheep, Luqman removed the tongue and heart. After some time had passed, his master once more instructed him to kill a sheep and to deliver the two worst parts to them. To his master’s surprise, he followed instructions and brought the tongue and the heart once more.
Seeing these, his lord asked him how the heart and the tongue could simultaneously be the best and worst parts. There isn’t anything better than these if they are excellent, and no worse than these if they are bad, Luqman retorted. Such was Luqman Al-Hakim’s advice.
Being modest, Luqman Al-Hakim never forgot the bounties that Allah had bestowed upon him. People consulted him for counsel and judgment in matters because of his wisdom, which earned him a great deal of respect in the community.
A former acquaintance of Luqman Al-Hakim asked him, “Aren’t you the slave of such and so that used to tend to my sheep not so long ago?” when he was preaching one day. “Yes!”, said Luqman. “What raised you to this high condition, I see?” the man asked. ” The Divine Decree, repaying the trust, telling the truth, dismissing, and keeping quiet about what does not concern me,” said Luqman.
Malik told me that he had heard that Luqman had been asked, “What has brought you to what we see?” referring to his high rank. “Truthful speech, fulfilling the trust, and leaving what does not concern me.” added Luqman. (Muwatta Malik, English Ref: Book 56, Hadith 17)
Ibn Wahb related that Luqman Al-Hakim would respond to inquiries about what had brought him to this position by saying:
“Lowering my gaze, watching my tongue, eating what is lawful, keeping my chastity, undertaking my promises, fulfilling my commitments, being hospitable to guests, respecting my neighbors, and discarding what does not concern me. All these made me the one you are looking at.”
He has been mentioned by our beloved Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) because of his tawheed knowledge and wisdom. Abdullah related when the revelation of Surah Al-Anam (6:82) took place, which states:
It is those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah and worship none but Him Alone) and confuse not their belief with Zulm (wrong i.e. by worshiping others besides Allah), for them (only) there is security and they are guided.
The Prophet’s (pbuh) companions found it extremely difficult, and they remarked, “Who among us has not confused his belief with wrong (oppression)?” The Prophet of Allah (pbuh) responded by saying, “This is not intended to be (by the Verse). Don’t you listen to Luqman’s statement: ‘Verily! Joining others in worship with Allah is a great wrong indeed.” (Luqman 31:13) (Sahih al-Bukhari; Hadith no. 6918)
This was merely an introduction to the person on whom Allah SWT bestowed honor and high regard due to his intelligence, after which he changed his name from Luqman, the black slave, to Lukman Al-Hakim. Allah selected this person to demonstrate to the people of that era—and it still holds true in today’s racist society—that no one is noteworthy and valued in the eyes of Allah first and then in the world, but solely by virtue of his piety, knowledge, wisdom, and righteousness!
It is thought that Luqman Al-Hakim’s virtue led to the bestowal of such intelligence. He was regarded as a man with keen insight and restraint. He was quite articulate and knowledgeable. a reserved man who never made silly jokes or showed interest in everyday nonsense. The guy whose knowledge and the wise advice he provided to his son will be remembered for all of time. the timeless gems of knowledge that are recorded in the glorious book.
Luqman al-hakim’s advice to his son
Now that we are familiar with Luqman’s life story, including who he was and how he achieved wisdom, we can move on to learning about some of the exquisite pearls he has left for us. Lets discuss the well-known and ageless guidance Luqman offered to his son, who was dear to him. How do we know of this advice? Allah SWT decided to mention it in Surah Luqman of the Quran itself! So, let’s see:
1) Stay away from Shirk
The first and important thing that Luqman instructed his son was tawheed Allah. He urged him to avoid Shirk, not to worship other gods save Allah (swt), no matter what happens.
So that no matter how forceful the winds of life may be, they will never be able to uproot this seed of faith, he must bury the seed of Islamic monotheism deep within his heart and nourish it with faith and trust in Allah.
Associating anything with Almighty Allah is shirk, according to Luqman, and is a serious sin from which we must unquestionably protect ourselves.
Our existence depends on this factor. In the name of Allah, we will succeed in this life as well as the next if it is strong and safeguarded. But if this quality is tainted, as Allah forbids, we will perish forever. May Allah (swt) shield us from all forms of shirk, both obvious and covert, as well as known and unknowable. Ameen.
In the Qur’an, Allah SWT declares that He would pardon His creation, us, for anything, even if our transgressions reached the heavens. When we turn to Him in repentance, He SWT in His mercy will pardon us. If we pass away without making amends for it, He swt will only hold us accountable for shirk, which is identifying other people with Him and His qualities.
2) Respect and show your appreciation for your parents
Following the first piece of advice, Luqman adds another priceless pearl, which is to respect and show appreciation for one’s parents. When Allah (swt) has stated protecting us from shirk, He (swt) has almost always been followed by the command to honour and treat our parents good.
The most crucial thing is to avoid shirk, and the second crucial thing is to respect your parents.
Even if your parents don’t speak a language you can comprehend, show them respect, love, and kindness. Even if you occasionally feel like they are acting irrationally or not understanding you the way you would like them to. Whatever it is, you Couldn’t be nasty, unpleasant or disrespectful to them. In Islam, it is forbidden.
Your parents are the only people who deserve all of your love, respect, kindness, and charity after Allah s.w.t. and Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
You must not be disrespectful to them even in questions of faith. You definitely don’t have to follow their orders when they ask you to do something that is not permitted by Islam. However, you must continue to present a kind, courteous, and pleasant front to them. not become agitated or engage in an argument over what they are demanding of you. You are instructed by Allah to graciously turn them down in instances where disobedience to Allah is involved.
3) No act of goodness or evil, no matter how small or big, ever escapes the notice of Allah swt.
Luqman continues to remind his son of the boundless awareness and knowledge of Allah swt. Even the trails of a black ant crawling on a black stone in the middle of the night are not hidden from Allah swt in this cosmos. This ant and its footprints are not hidden from Allah swt’s knowledge.
Luqman tells his son that no matter what he does—good or bad—Allah is aware of it and will make it manifest, even if it is as small as a mustard seed and concealed inside a rock.
Make sure you are always, always aware of this truth. You are being seen by Allah, and He is aware of your actions. No matter how tiny or large you may think your good deeds are, He sees them all. It will not be wasted. On the Day, Allah swt will bring it forth and weigh it for you according to the balances of goodness.
Similarly, whatever little or major sin you do, openly or in stealth, remember it is not concealed from Allah swt. No matter how tiny you may think your sin or evil conduct is, it is witnessed by Him, and He will bring it forth on that Day.
Before you are held accountable, repent and turn to Him. May Allah swt pardon us all of our transgressions. Ameen.
4) Salaah is necessary for success.
Luqman counsels his son to maintain continuous praying behaviour. We ought to remain steadfast in our five daily prayers. Like you would protect a safe housing valuables such as jewels, we should protect our salaah.
On the Day of Judgment, keep in mind that you will be questioned about Salaah first. If it is, everything in your life will be in line; if not, you are in for scrutiny. Which one do you like best?
If you are not in the practise of praying five times a day, begin your prayers gradually. Small, sincere actions taken in the direction of Allah will lead to great success for you, both in this temporary world and the everlasting life that lies beyond. Ask Allah (swt) to assist you, and to accept your meagre efforts and bless you in them.
5) Promote Good and Disallow Evil
To practise good and impart it to others, Luqman advised his son to impose good on himself and the others. He also gave him advise on how to protect others from evil and stay away from nasty and corrupt people. Encourage people to avoid known or unknowable harms.
We place too much value in ourselves and disregard other people’s rights. Everyone who interacts with us frequently, including our friends, relatives, and family, has certain rights over us.
How many times have you witnessed a friend or member of your family engaging in some disobedience but you kept quiet? Regardless of what they may think of you or your reasons for remaining silent, you should talk with them about it, privately of course. Your responsibility is to recall and convey; their responsibility is to follow or not to follow. You can’t help it; Allah is the only source of instruction, after all. Do your part nonetheless; you never know how it may affect someone else.
Maybe they needed that reminder to make them change for the better.
You notice something incorrect about them, but that isn’t the only reason. Spread the word if you are aware of a Sunnah or good conduct that many around you are not aware of. While kindness is restricted to closed groups in closed rooms, evil spreads like wildfire. Spread kindness all around you. That is what we most need!
6) Exercise more and more patience.
Luqman advises his son to exercise patience in the face of all his hardships. Belief in Allah, His angels, His Scriptures, His Messengers, the Last Day, and the Divine Decree—both good and bad—are the six pillars of faith.
The final one, Qadr, the Divine Decree, can occasionally be difficult to understand and put into reality. It indicates that whatever befalls you, good or terrible, it has been written by Allah swt and there is no escape from it, save by His will. it is the most significant testing ground. And we are put to the test by it every day, with no exception.
Just go through your day in your head and think about how many things happened that you had no control over, or even some that did, and you had to be tolerant, patient, or upset about. That brought you joy or sorrow. That caused you to doubt the reality of things, the world itself, people, and even yourself!
You need to be patient over everything that happens in your life, the good, the bad, the worse and being Muslims, we should always be optimistic of the plan of Allah, the best and the wonderful. Indeed, such also call for patience. You will experience more blessings the more appreciative you are. Keep in mind that patience usually rewards you with sweets!
Close your eyes for a moment and remember yourself that it is Allah swt’s purpose to help you maintain patience with things you don’t understand, the things that genuinely drive you mad. Although you are still unsure of what it will bring, you are choosing to trust Him and His plan.
After a brief dua, open your eyes. Repeat this each time. You’ll experience greater calm and less stress. Insha Allah, He will make it simple for you to accept it and then to be patient with it. Put some trust in Him.
7) Allah detests boastful haughtiness
Yes, it is correct. All arrogant people are despised by Allah. Additionally, He swt disapproves of arrogant, conceited, stubborn individuals who think highly of themselves and behave impolitely toward others. Luqman advised his son to treat people with kindness and good humour and to not turn away when they are speaking to him.
Arrogant, proud, obstinate, and disrespectful people are not liked by Allah. People who brag a lot are not liked by Allah. Allah dislikes it when you have a conceited view of yourself and believe that you are in some way superior to other people.
Our faith emphasizes morality and etiquette, as well as peace and modesty. It should be evident in all aspects of your life, including your speech, movement, and interactions with both humans and animals. It is not just about praying and reciting the Quran.
8) Walk and speak in a moderate manner.
Luqman counseled his son to speak softly and avoid shouting at people. to communicate with others in a gentle, humble manner. Allah equates the person who raises his voice to the obnoxious and hideous braying of a donkey.
This also refers to refraining from speaking excessively or exaggerating in speech.
Next, Luqman instructed his son to walk steadily, without going too fast or too slowly, and without putting his arrogant foot down. It means to walk in a moderate way—not too slowly and lazily nor too quickly—somewhere in the middle of these two extremes.
Conclusion of Story of Luqman al-hakim
This was the Story of Luqman al-hakim, the wise, and his advice to his son. May we learn something valuable from the Story of luqman al-hakim. Read more Islamic Blogs or Follow us on social media for daily Islamic reminders.
