Just as there are rewards with Allah for a person’s words, the way they use them, and the manners behind them, there is also punishment if they are misused.
A man once approached the great scholar Hazrat Imam Abu Hanifa (Rah) and asked, “Your father has passed away, hasn’t he?” “Yes,” the Imam replied. “Your mother is still alive, right?” the man asked again. “Yes,” the Imam replied. “I heard your mother is exceptionally beautiful. I wish to marry her. Can you speak to your mother and arrange this marriage?” the man asked the Imam in a highly disrespectful and ill-mannered way.
Instead of responding with harsh or ill-mannered words, the Imam remained calm and composed. He replied, “My mother is a woman of great wisdom. She has the right to remarry. However, I cannot compel her regarding this. Nevertheless, I shall go and ask her about what you have proposed.” Saying this, the Imam left the spot.
After the Imam had walked a short distance, a loud sound was heard behind him. He turned around to look.
The man had screamed in agony, collapsed on the spot, and passed away.
At that moment, Imam Abu Hanifa (Rah) remarked, “The patience of Abu Hanifa has claimed this man’s life.”
