Controlling the Nafs and Patience in Hardships | Islamic Lessons from the Auliyā of Allah

41. Maḥmūd, Ayāz and slice of cucumber

It is reported that once a person gifted a cucumber to Sultan Maḥmūd Ghaznawī عَلَيْهِ رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ الْقَوِي, a renowned devotee of Rasūl. The sultan accepted the gift and gave the person a reward. He then cut off a slice and handed it to his beloved slave Ayāz who consumed the slice relishing its taste. Then, Sultan Maḥmūd cut another slice, this time for himself. As soon as he put it into his own mouth, he spat it out instantly, as it was too bitter. Astonished at Ayāz, he asked, 'Ayāz! How did you eat such a bitter thing? Even your facial expression did not reveal any sign of displeasure.' Ayāz replied, 'Respected Sultan! There is no doubt that the piece of cucumber was extremely bitter. When I placed it in my mouth, my wisdom asked me to spit it out but my love told me, "O Ayāz, beware! This is the same hand which gives you sweet things to eat every day. If it gives you something bitter to eat only one day, it does not matter. To spit it out is contrary to the etiquette of love." Therefore, following the command of love, I consumed the bitter slice of cucumber.'

(Rahbar-e-Zindagī, pp. 167)

May Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ have mercy on them and forgive us without accountability for their sake!

Dear Islamic brothers! Being a Muslim, we all should have the same frame of mind. If Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ, who has bestowed upon us countless favours, ever tests us with troubles and trials, we should accept them happily. The great is not the one who is loyal only when his object of devotion shows affection for him, but the one who is loyal even when he is ignored by the one he has affection for.

Woh 'ishq-e-ḥaqīqī kī laẕẕāt nahīn pā saktā
Jo ranj-o-muṣībat say dauchār nahīn ĥotā

He cannot taste the true love and devotion
Who does not face adversity and harsh condition

صَلُّوْا عَلَى الْحَبِيْبِ ! صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

42. Non-Muslim monk embraces Islam

Making individual effort, a saint once presented Islam to a non-Muslim monk. After a lengthy debate and argument, the monk replied, 'It was a miracle of Sayyidunā Prophet 'Isā عَلَيْهِ السَّلَام that he would not eat anything for forty consecutive days. This act can only be performed by a Prophet and a Ṣiddīq.' The saint رَحْمَةُاللهِتَعَالٰیعَلَیْہِ replied, 'If I remain hungry for fifty consecutive days, would you embrace Islam giving up your religion and realize that Islam is the true religion and that you are following falsehood?' The non-Muslim replied 'Yes.' Therefore, the saint رَحْمَةُاللهِتَعَالٰیعَلَیْہِ stayed with him for fifty consecutive days without consuming anything. He رَحْمَةُاللهِتَعَالٰیعَلَیْہِ then stayed hungry for another ten days. Having seen this saintly miracle, the monk embraced Islam forthwith.

(Iḥyā-ul-'Ulūm, vol. 3, pp. 98)

Dear Islamic brothers! No one should misunderstand this parable. It must not be assumed that the saint surpassed Sayyidunā Prophet 'Isā عَلٰی نَبِیَّنَا وَعَلَیْہِ الصَّلٰوۃُ وَالسَّلَام in status. It is a fundamental Islamic belief that no saint can ever surpass the status of a Prophet عَلَيْهِ السَّلَام. The one believing that a saint is greater than a Holy Prophet عَلَيْهِ السَّلَام immediately becomes a Kāfir (unbeliever). The monk was under the impression that after Sayyidunā Prophet 'Isā عَلٰی نَبِیَّنَا وَعَلَیْہِ الصَّلٰوۃُ وَالسَّلَام, no devotee of Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم could stay hungry for forty days. The saint cleared the misconception of the monk by showing the saintly miracle of staying hungry for 40 days, making it clear that staying hungry for 40 days is not the unique attribute of Sayyidunā Prophet 'Isā عَلَيْهِ السَّلَام, and the devotees of the Holy Prophet can remain alive despite staying hungry for 60 days.

43. Rice and fish

It is reported that a saint رَحْمَةُاللهِتَعَالٰیعَلَیْہِ from Basra refrained from eating fish, rice and bread for 20 years despite the strong desire of his Nafs. After his death, someone saw him in a dream and asked as to how Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ treated him. He replied, 'Words cannot express the bounties Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ has bestowed upon me. First, I was given fish, rice and bread and was told to eat as much as I wished.'

(Ihyā-ul-'Ulūm, vol. 3, pp. 103)

May Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ have mercy on him and forgive us without accountability for his sake!

Dear Islamic brothers! Did you see how great the status of those who do not follow their Nafs is? Congratulations to those fortunate people who succeed in bearing hunger, avoiding worldly joys and thus opposing their Nafs just for the pleasure of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ! After death, they will be blessed with superb bounties in Paradise. Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ says in Sūrah Al-Ḥāqqah, verse 24:

كُلُوْا وَاشْرَبُوْا هَنِيْٓئًۢا بِمَآ اَسْلَفْتُمْ فِى الْاَيَّامِ الْخَالِيَةِ

Eat and drink with relish, recompense for that you sent forth in the days gone by.

[Kanz-ul-Īmān (Translation of Quran)] (Part 29, Sūrah Al-Ḥāqqah, verse 24)

44. Beneficial to one's heart

Sayyidunā Shaykh Abū Sulaymān Dārānī قَدَّسَ سِرُّهُ الرَّبَّانِيّ has said, 'To refrain from any desire of Nafs is more beneficial to the heart than a year's fasting and staying up at night (in worship).'

(Iḥyā-ul-'Ulūm, vol. 3, pp. 103)

May Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ have mercy on him and forgive us without accountability for his sake!

صَلُّوْا عَلَى الْحَبِيْبِ ! صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

45. Valīmah in Paradise

Hujjat-ul-Islam, Sayyidunā Imām Muhammad Ghazālī عَلَيْهِ رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ الْوَالِي has stated, 'The saints walking on the path of the Hereafter would avoid the fulfilment of their desires because if a person eats different delicious things to satisfy his desires, his Nafs becomes arrogant and his heart becomes hard. Further, he becomes so interested in the delicious worldly things that the love of worldly joys permanently stays in his heart and he forgets that he will have to stand before his Creator, Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ. The world is like Paradise and death is like a prison for such a person. On the contrary, the one who treats his Nafs strictly and deprives it of worldly pleasures; the world becomes like a prison for him, he feels uncomfortable in the world and his Nafs likes to get free from the imprisonment of life by leaving the world through death.' Referring to the same point, Sayyidunā Yaḥyā Mu'āẓ Rāzī رَحْمَةُاللهِتَعَالٰیعَلَیْہِ has stated, 'O the Ṣiddīqīn! In order to eat Valīmah (wedding-feast) in Paradise, keep yourself hungry because the desire for food intensifies as much as the Nafs remains hungry.

In other words, when a person is extremely hungry, he really feels the joy of eating. This is the same thing experienced by every fasting person. Therefore, remain as hungry as possible in the world so that you can enjoy the delicious food of Paradise.

(ibid, pp. 99)

May Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ have mercy on him and forgive us without accountability for his sake!

صَلُّوْا عَلَى الْحَبِيْبِ ! صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

Halal Food, Patience and Trust in Allah | Inspiring Lessons from the Pious Saints

36. Leftover bones

Dear Islamic brothers! Sayyidunā Shaykh 'Abdul Waĥĥāb Muttaqī Qādirī Shāżlī رَحْمَةُ اللّٰہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ was a great saint. He رَحْمَةُ اللّٰہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ would often remain hungry. Once, while discussing the wisdom of hunger, asceticism and avoidance of asking anyone for anything, he stated, 'There was a time when I used to pick up the left over bones thrown from the shops of butchers and the dry stalk of barley which people threw away on the farms. I would wash and boil them in a cauldron and survive on a bowl of this soup. When people came to know of this state of mine, they started bringing different types of (delicious) foods for me. In order to avoid such gifts, I decided to leave that place and never stayed anywhere for more than three days.'

(Al-Akhbār-ul-Akhyār ma' Maktūbāt, pp. 277)

May Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ have mercy on him and forgive us without accountability for his sake!

صَلُّوْا عَلَى الْحَبِيْبِ ! صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

37. Fear before eating

Sayyidunā Waĥb Bin Ward رَحْمَةُاللهِتَعَالٰیعَلَیْہِ used to eat only one flatbread after remaining hungry for two or three consecutive days. Before eating, he used to supplicate to Almighty Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ in the following manner, 'O Allah! You are aware that I am not strong enough to worship You without eating; I am fearful of weakness and grief. O Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ! If there is something unlawful or Ḥarām in this bread, do not punish me if it enters my stomach unknowingly.' After making this Du'ā, he would soak the bread in water and then eat it.

(Minĥāj-ul-'Ābidīn, pp. 98)

May Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ have mercy on him and forgive us without accountability for his sake!

We should weep after eating

Dear Islamic brothers! We should be alarmed that we eat virtually anything that comes to our hand without considering (its permissibility). We should fear the accountability of the Hereafter.

Sayyidunā Imām Muhammad Ghazālī عَلَيْهِ رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ الْوَالِي has stated in Iḥyā-ul-'Ulūm, 'The one who weeps after eating and the one who plays and enjoys after eating cannot be equal.'

(Iḥyā-ul-'Ulūm, vol. 2, pp. 8)

He رَحْمَةُاللهِتَعَالٰیعَلَیْہِ has further stated, 'One should repent and express sadness in case of eating doubtful food so that his tears and sadness can put off the fire of Hell which he might face due to eating the doubtful food.' The Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has also stated, 'The meat nurtured with Ḥarām, fire (of Hell) is more entitled to it.'

(Shu'ab-ul-Īmān, vol. 5, pp. 56, Ḥadīš 5761)

صَلُّوْا عَلَى الْحَبِيْبِ ! صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

38. Piece of dry bread

Sayyidunā Junayd Baghdādī عَلَيْهِ رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ الْقَاهِر has narrated: Sayyidunā Ḥāriš Bin Asad Muḥāsibī رَحْمَةُ اللّٰہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ walked past my house. He رَحْمَةُ اللّٰہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ appeared to be hungry so I requested, 'My dear uncle, please come and eat something.' He رَحْمَةُاللهِتَعَالٰیعَلَیْہِ came to our house but there was nothing for eating except some wedding food, which our neighbours had sent. I offered the same food to him. He رَحْمَةُاللهِتَعَالٰیعَلَیْہِ took a morsel, placed it into his mouth and kept moving it in his mouth without swallowing. Instead of eating the morsel, he went to the porch and spat it out. Then, he رَحْمَةُاللهِتَعَالٰیعَلَیْہِ left. When I came across him after some days, I asked him about the food I gave him. He رَحْمَةُاللهِتَعَالٰیعَلَیْہِ replied, 'I was certainly hungry and wanted to eat the food you offered so that I could please you, but there is a promise between me and Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ that no doubtful food would go down my throat and it is the reason why I could not swallow it.' I told him that the food had come from my neighbour's house on a wedding occasion. I then asked him to come to my house so that I could serve him again. When he رَحْمَةُاللهِتَعَالٰیعَلَیْہِ entered, I served a piece of dry bread which he consumed. He رَحْمَةُاللهِتَعَالٰیعَلَیْہِ then said, 'You should present this type of food to the mystic saints.'

(Risāla-tul-Qushayriyyah, pp. 429-430)

May Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ have mercy on him and forgive us without accountability for his sake!

39. His vein would pulsate

Dear Islamic brothers! Did you see that our saints would never consume any doubtful food despite experiencing extreme hunger? Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ had especial mercy on Sayyidunā Hāriš Muḥāsibī, as Sayyidunā Abū 'Alī Daqāq رَحْمَةُاللهِتَعَالٰیعَلَیْہِ الرَّبَّانِيّ has narrated that whenever Sayyidunā Hāriš Muḥāsibī رَحْمَةُاللهِتَعَالٰیعَلَیْہِ used to stretch out his hand towards any doubtful food, a vein in his finger would start to pulsate. He would immediately refrain from eating that food.

(ibid, pp. 429)

Similarly, many other saints are also reported to have the saintly miracle of becoming aware of doubtful and Ḥarām food in advance.

May Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ have mercy on them and forgive us without accountability for their sake!

صَلُّوْا عَلَى الْحَبِيْبِ ! صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

40. Worshipper and pomegranate

It is reported that a worshipper used to live on a mountain. In the vicinity was a pomegranate tree on which three pomegranates grew every day. He would eat them and continue his worship. Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ willed to test the worshipper. One day, the pomegranates did not grow but the worshipper remained patient. The same thing happened the next two days. Worried and weakened by hunger, he descended down from the mountain. A house of a non-Muslim lied beside the mountain. The worshipper approached the non-Muslim and begged him for some food. The non-Muslim gave him 4 pieces of bread. (As the worshipper left), the dog of the non-Muslim began to bark at him. The worshipper gave one piece to the dog. After eating it, the dog pursued and barked again. He gave another piece but the dog was still barking. Eventually, he gave all four pieces of bread but the dog did not become silent. Enraged, he said to the dog, 'O despicable and greedy dog! You have no shame, I have begged your master for food which I have given to you but you still do not leave me.' The dog replied, 'I am not more shameless than you! Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ bestowed upon you a nice sustenance for many years without any struggle, when He عَزَّوَجَلَّ tested you a little you became so worried that you went to His enemy's house to beg.'

(Aḥsan-ul-Wi'ā, pp. 144)

Dear Islamic brothers! We have learnt from the foregoing parable that if Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ, who bestows upon us innumerable bounties, ever tests us, we should be patient instead of complaining. The following parable would further clarify this point.

Controlling the Nafs: Trials, Patience and Spiritual Lessons from the Auliyā of Allah

31. Fine of eating lentils

Sayyidunā Ibrāĥīm Bin Shaybān الرَّحَّان عَلَیْہِ رَحْمَةُ اللہِ has narrated: I have not spent any night for rest under a roof for forty years. I had a strong desire to eat lentils to my full extent. Once, in Syria, someone gave me a plate of cooked lentils which I ate. Having eaten it, I passed by a shop where I saw some bottles hanging on a rack. Assuming that the bottles contained vinegar, I looked at them closely. Someone told me that there was wine in the bottles. Pointing towards some jars, he further said that there was wine in those jars as well. Infuriated, I brought out the wine jars from the shop and began to overturn them on the street. The shop owner thought that I was an officer of the government, thus he was afraid. He stood and watched silently. When he got to know about me, he took me to the governor of Egypt and Syria, Ibn-e-Ṭūlūn. I was hit 200 lashes and jailed for a long time. Luckily, my respected teacher and spiritual guide, Sayyidunā Abū 'Abdullāh Maghribī رَحْمَةُاللهِتَعَالٰیعَلَیْہِ arrived in the town. He asked me, 'What crime did you commit?' I replied that I had eaten a plate of lentils and, as a fine, I was hit 200 lashes in addition to imprisonment. Hearing this, my respected teacher replied, 'You were punished only slightly.' I also told him about the incident of wine-jars. He interceded and got me released.

(Risāla-tul-Qushayriyyah, pp. 153)

May Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ have mercy on them and forgive us without accountability for their sake!

صَلُّوْا عَلَى الْحَبِيْبِ ! صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

Dear Islamic brothers! The Auliyā of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ always refrain from following their Nafs. If they ever fulfil the demand of their Nafs, they face hardships, and in this way, their spiritual status is enhanced. These are private matters between them and their Creator.

32. Fish bone

Sayyidunā Abul Khayr 'Asqalānī قَدَّسَ سِرُّهُ الرَّبَّانِيّ had the desire to eat fish from many years. Finally, he managed to have fish with Ḥalāl means. As soon as he stretched out his hand to begin eating, a piece of fish bone pricked his finger. The wound went severely septic and his hand had to be amputated. He then beseeched in the court of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ, 'O Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ! This is the state of the person who desired to consume a Ḥalāl thing and stretched out his hand towards it. What will be the condition of the person who desires a Ḥarām thing and stretches out his hand towards it?'

(Risāla-tul-Qushayriyyah, pp. 142)

May Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ have mercy on him and forgive us without accountability for his sake!

Dear Islamic brothers! The Madanī mindset of the saints is extraordinary. Even after going through pain and trials, they still manage to pick the positives and adopt humility in the court of their Creator. It is our positive opinion that the pricking of fish bone was a means of further increasing (the spiritual) rank of Sayyidunā Abul Khayr 'Asqalānī قَدَّسَ سِرُّهُ الرَّبَّانِيّ. Sometimes, the bone pricks people in the throat while eating fish. If this happens, one should have patience because when a Muslim experiences difficulty, either his sins are removed or his spiritual status is enhanced.

Reward of thorn-pricking

Sayyidunā Abū Sa'id Khudrī and Sayyidunā Abū Hurayrah رَضِیَ اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہُمَا have narrated that the Beloved and Blessed Rasūl صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has stated, 'No sadness, difficulty, anxiety, pain, injury, sorrow or even the pricking of a thorn reaches a Muslim, but Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ erases the sin of that Muslim (due to these difficulties).'

(Ṣaḥīḥ Bukhārī, vol. 7, pp. 3, Ḥadīš 5641-5642)

Wisdom of difficulties

The Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has stated, 'If a high status is predestined for a person in the knowledge of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ, but the person is unable to acquire that status by his deeds, so Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ makes that person suffer financial, physical or family difficulty. He عَزَّوَجَلَّ then blesses that person with patience and makes him reach that high status which was predestined for him in the divine knowledge.'

(Sunan Abī Dāwūd, pp. 123, Ḥadīš 3090)

Woh 'ishq-e-ḥaqīqī kī laẕẕāt nahīn pā saktā
Jo ranj-o-muṣībat say dauchār nahīn ĥotā

He cannot taste the true love and devotion
Who does not face adversity and harsh condition

33. Carrot and honey

Our saints رَحِمَهُمُ اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی used to oppose their Nafs strongly. Sayyidunā Sarī Saqaṭī رَحْمَةُاللهِتَعَالٰیعَلَیْہِ has stated, 'My Nafs has been urging me that I eat a single carrot dipped in honey (if not more) for the past 30 or 40 years, but I have not fulfilled its desire, اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰہِ عَزَّوَجَلَّ.'

(Risāla-tul-Qushayriyyah, pp. 153)

May Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ have mercy on him and forgive us without accountability for his sake!

34. He spat out fig

Sayyidunā Ja'far Bin Naṣīr عَلَيْهِ رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ الْقَاهِر has narrated: Once Sayyidunā Shaykh Junayd Baghdādī عَلَيْهِ رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ الْقَاهِر gave me a dinar to purchase some figs. I brought some figs from the market. At the time of Ifṭār, he placed a fig in his mouth but then immediately spat it out. He then began to weep and instructed that the figs be taken away. When he was asked as to why he did so, he replied, 'A voice came from my conscience, "Are you not ashamed of fulfilling the desire you had already forgone for the pleasure of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ."'

(Risāla-tul-Qushayriyyah, pp. 154)

May Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ have mercy on him and forgive us without accountability for his sake!

A wise man has rightly said, 'One should not give his rein of control to his desire because it will lead him to darkness.'

(ibid, pp. 154)

35. Confectioner fed them

Shaykh-ul-Muḥaqqiqīn, Khātim-ul-Muḥaddišīn, Shaykh 'Abdul Ḥaq Muḥaddiš Dihlvī عَلَيْهِ رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ الْقَوِي has narrated, 'My spiritual master and guide, Shaykh 'Abdul Waĥĥāb Muttaqī عَلَيْهِ رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ الْقَوِي once stayed in a Masjid along with one of his friends for worship during the period of famine. They had already decided not to speak to each other. They also decided neither to ask anyone for food nor eat anything with their own hands. Twenty days passed without eating. On the twenty first day, a confectioner entered the Masjid and placed some food in between both of them and left. As they had already decided not to eat anything with their own hands, they did not eat at all. On the twenty-second day, the confectioner did the same and left. Again, both the saints did not even touch the food. On the twenty-third day, the confectioner brought food and fed them with his own hands.'

(Al-Akhbār-ul-Akhyār ma' Maktūbāt, pp. 278)

May Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ have mercy on them and forgive us without accountability for their sake!

صَلُّوْا عَلَى الْحَبِيْبِ ! صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

Trials, Patience and the Blessings of Pious Company | Islamic Lessons from the Auliyā and Sahaba

27. An enthusiastic preacher

It is reported that once a 12-day Sunnaĥ-Inspiring Madanī Qāfilaĥ arrived at Jhelum, Punjab Pakistan. One of the devotees of Rasūl persuaded a young man living in the house opposite the Masjid in which the Madanī Qāfilaĥ stayed to travel with the Madanī Qāfilaĥ. The young man expressed his willingness to join them just for two days and thus he stayed with the Madanī Qāfilaĥ and learnt Sunnaĥ. Due to the blessings of spending two days with the Madanī Qāfilaĥ, he persuaded his entire family to offer Ṣalāĥ regularly. As he was an influential member of his family, almost everyone started offering Ṣalāĥ. He also went to the house of his uncle and invited him towards righteousness. He also encouraged his family to throw the T.V. away from the house due to its evils. اَلْحَمْدُلِلّٰہِ عَزَّوَجَلَّ The T.V. was thrown out with mutual consent of his family. The next day, while ironing his clothes, he got an electric shock, which resulted in his sudden demise. His family members remarked that they clearly heard him recite the Kalimaĥ لَآ اِلٰہَ اِلَّا اللّٰہُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَّسُوْلُ اللّٰہِ at the time of his death.

28. Eggs and bread

Sayyidunā Abū Turāb Nakhshabī رَحْمَةُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ has stated: Once, my Nafs desired to eat eggs with bread during a journey. I reached a village where a person suddenly grabbed hold of me and started saying loudly, 'This person is also one of the thieves.' A crowd gathered around me and hit me seventy lashes assuming that I was an accomplice of the thieves. Then, a person from among the crowd recognised me and shouted, 'This person cannot be a thief, he is Abū Turāb Nakhshabī رَحْمَةُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ.' Seeing this, people apologized to me and one of them took me to his house where he served me with eggs and bread. I said to my Nafs, 'After receiving seventy lashes, your desire has been fulfilled, now eat eggs and bread.'

(Risāla-tul-Qushayriyyaĥ, pp. 144)

May Allah ﷻ have mercy on him and forgive us without accountability for his sake!

صَلُّوْا عَلَی الْحَبِیْب ۔ صَلَّی اللہ تَعَالٰی عَلٰی مُحَمَّد

29. White cup

Dear Islamic brothers! The Auliyā of Allah ﷻ have their own unique ways. They are saved from subservience to their Nafs. The aforementioned saint Sayyidunā Abū Turāb رَحْمَةُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ was indeed a saint who possesses saintly miracle¹. Once while he رَحْمَةُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ was on his way to Madīnah, a disciple complained of thirst in a very desolate and barren area during the journey. He رَحْمَةُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ immediately struck the ground with his foot and a spring gushed forth with sweet water. Seeing this saintly miracle, another disciple expressed his desire to drink water with a cup. He رَحْمَةُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ again struck the ground with his hand and a white cup appeared. Shaykh Abul 'Abbās رَحْمَةُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ, the narrator of this amazing incident, has stated that this miraculous cup remained in their possession during the entire journey till they reached Makkaĥ.

(Tażkira-tul-Auliyā, vol. 1, pp. 264)

May Allah ﷻ have mercy on them and forgive us without accountability for their sake!

¹ Saintly miracle means Karāmaĥ.

Satanic deception:

Why was this saint given such a major punishment on desiring to eat eggs and bread, whereas it is not a sin to eat them?

Cure for Satanic deception:

Actually, in this manner, the Auliyā of Allah ﷻ are not only trained and tested, but their status is also enhanced. Common Muslims are also sometimes tested with tribulations and sicknesses despite apparently not doing anything wrong. In this manner, their sins are erased and their spiritual status is raised. The great Prophets عَلَیْہِمُ السَّلَام were also tested. Who can forget the grave test that befell the martyrs of Karbalā? The Holy Prophet صَلَّی اللہ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّم himself also faced trials and tribulations.

Trials equivalent to status

Sayyidunā Sa'd رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہُ has narrated that the Beloved and Blessed Prophet صَلَّی اللہ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّم was once asked about the people who are afflicted with the most difficult trials and tests. The Holy Prophet صَلَّی اللہ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّم replied, 'The first among them are the Prophets, then those who have high status after them, then those who have high status after them.' In other words, a person faces trial and tribulation according to the level of his Imān (faith). If he is steadfast in religion, he faces severe trial and tribulation. If he is weak in religion, he is treated with ease. This process continues until he walks on earth (in such a state) that all of his sins are forgiven.

(Jāmi' Tirmiżī, vol. 4, pp. 170, Ḥadīš 2406)

Anyway, all this depends upon the will of Allah ﷻ. The pious remain pleased with Allah's will and if difficulties ever befall them, they gain reward by having patience. Listen to another faith-refreshing parable with regard to remaining happy at the time of troubles and illnesses.

30. Happiness in fever

One day, the Holy Prophet صَلَّی اللہ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّم said, 'Allah ﷻ erases the sins of a Muslim due to the trouble which befalls his body.' Hearing this, Sayyidunā Ubay Bin Ka'b رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہُ made the following Du'ā, 'O Allah ﷻ! Until my death, I ask You for such fever which does not prevent me from offering Ṣalāĥ, fasting, Ḥajj, 'Umraĥ and fighting in Your cause.' His Du'ā was accepted. The narrator stated that Sayyidunā Ubay Bin Ka'b رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہُ had fever all the time until he passed away. Even in this feverish state, he used to come to the Masjid, fast, perform Ḥajj and 'Umraĥ and take part in battles.

(Kanz-ul-'Ummāl, vol. 3, pp. 299, Ḥadīš 8633)

May Allah ﷻ have mercy on him and forgive us without accountability for his sake!

صَلُّوْا عَلَی الْحَبِیْب ۔ صَلَّی اللہ تَعَالٰی عَلٰی مُحَمَّد

Excellence of fever

Dear Islamic brothers! How can the excellence of fever be expressed in words! Sayyidunā Abū Hurayraĥ رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہُ has narrated that once while talking about fever in the presence of the Beloved Prophet صَلَّی اللہ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّم, someone spoke ill of it. The Prophet of Raḥmaĥ, the Intercessor of Ummaĥ صَلَّی اللہ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّم said, 'Do not speak ill of fever because it cleanses the Muslim of sins as fire removes rust from iron.'

(Sunan Ibn Māĵaĥ, vol. 4, pp. 104, Ḥadīš 3469)

Trust in Allah: Hunger, Self-Sacrifice and the Unshakable Faith of the Pious

24. Hungry lion

Sayyidunā Dātā Ganj Bakhsh رَحْمَةُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ has narrated that he once asked Sayyidunā Shaykh Aḥmad Ḥammādī Sarkhasī رَحْمَةُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ the reason of his repentance. He replied, 'Once I went on a journey from Sarkhas with my camels. During the journey, while I was passing through a jungle, a hungry lion attacked a camel of mine and injured it severely. The camel fell on to the ground, the lion climbed up a high cliff and began to roar. Listening to its roar, many animals gathered. The lion came down from the cliff and tore the injured camel into pieces but did not eat itself and went back on the cliff again. The gathered animals ate the meat and left. Then, the lion approached the remaining carcass to eat, but a lame fox appeared at a distance. The lion immediately left the carcass and went back on the cliff so that the fox could eat. After the fox ate and went, the lion approached and ate a little of the remaining carcass. (Sayyidunā Shaykh Aḥmad رَحْمَةُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ said) I was watching from a distance what the lion did. Suddenly, the lion turned its face towards me and said clearly, "Aḥmad! To sacrifice a morsel is the attribute of dogs, the men walking on the path of truth sacrifice even their lives." Impressed by this strange event, I repented of my sins, distanced myself from the world and devoted myself to the remembrance of my Creator ﷻ.'

(Kashf-ul-Maḥjūb, pp. 383)

May Allah ﷻ have mercy on him and forgive us without accountability for his sake!

Trust of chicken

Dear Islamic brothers! Did you see how the hungry lion set an excellent example of bearing hunger by sacrificing its own prey for other animals and gave profound advice that a morsel's sacrifice is the attribute of dogs, man should sacrifice his life. Yet sadly, the lazy Muslims like us are not expected to sacrifice even one morsel, they seem prepared to snatch food from other's mouth despite stuffing themselves. At times, people fight and even kill each other just for a morsel of food. Despite having a lot of food, some people cause violence just for a piece of bread. It is said that there are only three such creatures that store food; human beings, ants and rats. Apart from these three, no one else stores food. You may have observed the trust of the chicken. After drinking water, it turns the bowl of water upside down by placing its foot at the corner of the bowl. It believes that Allah ﷻ who has given water now will give water next time as well.

The pious men of Allah ﷻ possess matchless trust. Trust has also been defined in the following words: 'To have trust in only what Allah ﷻ gives and become indifferent to what people have.' Those having perfect trust in Allah ﷻ possess high status in the court of Allah ﷻ.

(Risāla-tul-Qushayriyyaĥ, pp. 169)

25. Trusting young man

Sayyidunā Ibrāĥīm Khawāṣ رَحْمَةُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ has narrated: Once, on my way to Syria, I came across a pious young man who requested me to let him stay in my company. I told him that I remain hungry. He said that he would also manage to remain hungry, اِنْ شَآءَاللّٰہُ. Four consecutive days passed without eating. Thereafter, someone sent us some food which I presented to him for eating. Seeing this, he said that he had sworn not to eat anything that came through someone. Pleased with his reply, I said that he had indeed revealed a very great point. When he heard this, he responded, 'O Ibrāhīm رَحْمَةُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ! Do not falsely praise me because Allah ﷻ is fully aware of your trust in Him and your condition.' He further said, 'The least level of trust in Allah ﷻ is that your heart should not think of anyone except Allah ﷻ in spite of suffering from prolonged starvation.'

(Risāla-tul-Qushayriyyaĥ, pp. 168)

May Allah ﷻ have mercy on them and forgive us without accountability for their sake!

O Allah ﷻ! Save us from the mischief of our Nafs and Satan, and bless us with the gift of hunger and make us Your patient and thankful servants. Amīn!

آمِیْن بِجَاہِ النَّبِیِّ الْاَمِیْن صَلَّی اللہ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّم

صَلُّوْا عَلَی الْحَبِیْب ۔ صَلَّی اللہ تَعَالٰی عَلٰی مُحَمَّد

26. Sustenance searches

Sayyidunā Abū Ya'qūb Aqṭa' Baṣrī رَحْمَةُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ has narrated: Once I remained hungry for ten days in Makkah. Weakened by hunger, I went towards the jungle in search of something to eat. On the way, I found an old turnip. I heard as if a voice was saying, 'You remained hungry for ten days and this is what is left for you, an old turnip?' I immediately left it back on the ground and returned to the Masjid-ul-Ḥarām. Meanwhile, a non-Arab approached me and gave me a box saying, 'This box is yours.' I asked him astonishingly as to how the box became mine. He replied, 'We had been travelling by sea for the last ten days; suddenly a huge storm occurred during the voyage, endangering our boat to drown. All of us made the intentions that if Allah ﷻ saves us from the storm, we will give Ṣadaqaĥ (alms). I also made the intention of giving this box to the person I would first see in Masjid-ul-Ḥarām, and you are the person I have met first.'

(Sayyidunā Abū Ya'qūb رَحْمَةُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ goes onto say) When I opened the box, there were some pieces of cake, peeled almonds and sweets in it. I said to myself inwardly, 'My sustenance was coming to me for ten days and I went towards the jungle in its search.' Then, taking a little from the box for myself and returning the rest to the person, I said, 'I have accepted this (gift), now please take the remaining food and give it to your children as a gift from me.'

(Risāla-tul-Qushayriyyaĥ, pp. 169-170)

May Allah ﷻ have mercy on him and forgive us without accountability for his sake!

Dear Islamic brothers! How firm is the trust of the pious in Allah ﷻ! Despite remaining hungry for ten days, when he finally got something to eat, he took a little and returned the remainder instead of storing it for the next time. After eating a little food, they did not have any concern or worry about the next meal. They firmly believed that Allah ﷻ would provide sustenance to them for as long as they are alive. This fact has clearly been mentioned in the Holy Quran (Sūraĥ Ĥūd, verse 6).

وَمَا مِنْ دَآبَّةٍ فِی الْاَرْضِ اِلَّا عَلَی اللہِ رِزْقُهَا

And there is none walking on earth, but the sustenance of that is on Allah's bounty.

[Kanz-ul-Īmān (Translation of Quran)] (Part 12, Sūraĥ Ĥūd, verse 6)

Dear Islamic brothers! It is also noteworthy that Allah ﷻ has certainly taken up the responsibility for providing sustenance to everyone but He ﷻ has not taken up the responsibility for forgiving everyone. Therefore, how unwise is the Muslim who strives day and night for his sustenance (which has already been promised), but does not make any effort for his forgiveness!

اَلْحَمْدُلِلّٰہِ عَزَّوَجَلَّ! The mindset of asking for forgiveness and success in the Hereafter is developed in the Sunnaĥ-Inspiring Madanī Qāfilaĥs of Dawat-e-Islami.