THE MEN WHO WORE
PALM-FIBER SANDALS
What is now known as Afghanistan was, in ancient times, referred to as Sijistan. Its capital was Kabul. At that time, a Turkic king ruled the region. He followed Buddhism, and his hereditary title was Rutbil (also known as Zandpil). This region became part of the Umayyad Caliphate during the rule of Amir Mu‘awiyah. Initially, Rutbil resisted the advancing Muslim armies, but later he entered into a treaty and secured protection for himself. For a time, Rutbil maintained peaceful relations with the Umayyad state under this agreement. Eventually, however, he broke the treaty.
One account from this period is particularly notable. During the caliphate of Yazid ibn Abd al-Malik (d. 105 AH), representatives of the Damascus-based Umayyad government visited Rutbil for negotiations. Addressing them, Rutbil said: “Where are those men who used to come before? Their stomachs were sunken like those of the hungry. They had dark marks on their foreheads. They wore sandals made from palm fiber.”
According to the narrator, after saying this, Rutbil refused to renew the treaty and remained independent of Umayyad authority for nearly a quarter of a century.
To Rutbil, the simple and humble individuals of the earlier generation—those from the time of the Prophet’s companions—appeared far more powerful than the grand and outwardly impressive figures of the Umayyad era. Why was that so? Because the source of a person’s true strength is not found in visible signs of luxury or status, but in inner capability. That inner strength was abundant in the earlier people, even though they appeared outwardly modest and ordinary.
The truly strong person is one whose needs are few, whose desires are limited, who does not chase after luxury or power, and who finds satisfaction in humility rather than in elevating the self. Such a person is free from inner psychological burdens. Nothing obstructs their ability to make sound decisions. They are never held back by calculations of convenience or compromise. For the sake of their mission, they are willing to go to the extent of sacrifice without hesitation.
In contrast, those who are surrounded by artificial comforts often remain deprived of a true understanding of life. Unnecessary luxuries become chains that bind them, preventing them from seeing reality as it is or from fully engaging with it. They live more for themselves and less for their purpose.
