LISTENING TO CRITICISM

Once, the Abbasid Caliph Harun al-Rashid (r. 170–193 AH) said to his minister, “Take me to a righteous man.” The minister took him to al-Fudayl ibn Iyad (105–187 AH), a well-known ascetic. A detailed account of their meeting is preserved in historical sources.

When the Caliph entered with several courtiers, they all shook hands with al-Fudayl—including the Caliph himself. As the Caliph placed his hand in al-Fudayl’s, al-Fudayl remarked:

“What a soft hand this is—if it manages to escape God’s punishment tomorrow.”

The Caliph then asked al-Fudayl to advise him. Al-Fudayl gave direct and admonishing words. The Caliph asked for more, and al-Fudayl continued in the same serious and cautionary tone. Harun al-Rashid listened silently—and eventually, he began to weep.

At the end, the Caliph turned to his minister and said: “Whenever you take me to someone, take me to someone like this. He is the true leader of the Muslims.” (Hilyat al-Awliya’ by Abu Nu‘aym al-Asfahani, Vol. 8, p. 106)

If a person has the right mindset, they will take sincere advice to heart—even if it is delivered in a harsh or critical tone. They will judge it by its meaning, not by its delivery, and treat it as a matter of principle, not personal insult.

If even a king can have this mindset, he can listen to criticism without losing his composure. But a common man, if he lacks this mindset, may respond poorly to the same. How someone handles criticism is one of the clearest tests of character. A person who stays emotionally balanced in the face of criticism is a person of depth. But one who becomes defensive or angry cannot be said to embody higher human qualities.

Criticism reveals the depth of a person’s humanity—and their awareness of God.