The Opinion of the Believers

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

In the time of David (a.s.) there was a person who was seemingly very pious, who used to spend his money lavishly in good causes.  David (a.s.) was very much attached to him.  In the meanwhile, David (a.s.) received Revelation from Allah (s.w.t.) and came to know that all the wealth spent in charity by that person was only a facade and there was no sincerity.  When this man passed away, people expected David (a.s.) to attend the funeral but instead of attending personally, David (a.s.) sent a representative in his stead. 

There were fifty witnesses at the time of ghusl, the washing of the body, and all of them whispered among themselves that they had not seen anything except good from the person.  The same fifty declared and made the same statement while offering janazah, and also at the burial, all of them bore witness that they found that man excellent in his ways. 

After the burial was over, David (a.s.) received Revelation from Allah (s.w.t.) and was Asked why he did not attend the funeral of the deceased.  David (a.s.) pleaded that he did not attend because he knew the man was no sincere in his charity.  He did not like to attend the funeral of such a person, such was his disappointment and disapproval. 

Allah (s.w.t.) Replied, “O David!  I Heard the statements of the people that he was good.  I Accepted their witnessing and Gave Preference to their statement over My Knowledge and Granted him all the Rewards that he deserved because of the opinion of the believers.” 

‘Ali ibn Abu Thalib (k.w.) said, “Live amongst people in such a manner that if you die, they weep over you, and if you are alive, they crave your company.”