Abdur Rahman Ibn Abza was one of the young Companions of the Prophet (sa). He was a freed slave, who possessed wisdom and intelligence. He used to recite the Quran beautifully and had also memorised it. Moreover, he was also a scholar of Islam. His speciality included laws of inheritance.
During the caliphate of Omar (rtam), Nafi bin Abdul Harith (rtam) was the governor of Makkah. One day, Omar (rtam) met Nafi (rtam) in Asfan near Makkah. He asked Nafi (rtam) whom he had left in-charge of Makkah in his absence. Nafi told him Ibn Abza was the acting governor in his absence.
Omar (rtam) asked: “Who is Ibn Abza?”
Nafi (rtam) replied: “He is one of my freed slaves.”
Omar (rtam) asked, surprised: “You have left the whole city of Makkah under the charge of a freed slave?”
Nafi answered: “He is a Qari (reciter) of the Quran and an expert in the Islamic laws of inheritance.”
Omar (rtam) was pleased and satisfied. He narrated a Hadeeth of the Prophet (sa): “There are some people, who will attain prominent positions, because of their knowledge of the Quran. On the other hand, there are some, who will fall into disgrace, because they will let go of the Quran and neglect their relationship with it.” (Muslim)
It is interesting to note that during the caliphate of Ali (rtam), Ibn Abza was appointed as the governor of Khorasan (in present-day Iran).
Lesson:.
The one, who studies the Quran and builds a relationship with it, is considered to be more important than the one, who has loads of money, latest gadgets, and high family status. Ibn Abza was a freed slave, but he actually became the governor because of his knowledge and his love for the Quran.
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