Most Muslims are conversant with giants such as Abu Hurairah’s intelligence, Uthman ibn Affan’s modesty and Khalid ibn Al-Walid’s courage, as such traits are frankly, easily intellectualised as exemplary. For instance, Hassan ibn Thabit, who was a member of the Banu Khazraj tribe, is typically lauded for being a prolific poet, whose meter and cadence was unrivalled. What in my opinion makes the story above beautiful is the little known fact that Hassan ibn Thabit had what today would be akin to traumaphobia. The most daring of all his pranks no doubt has to be the one played on Uthman ibn Affan during the time when Uthman was Caliph. While moral austerity is admirable to a degree, it is clear from the tale above that fear and punishment must never be allowed to dominate over love and hope.

Source: The Star April 26, 2019 00:56 UTC