Qissah 13: The Qissah of the Youth who Squandered H+is Wealth
Let me illustrate by relating a sequence of events that Hadhratwálá Rahmatullahi Alaihi narrated to us:
There resided in Thánah Bhawan the son of a wealthy noble. His father had passed away, leaving him much wealth in the form of income producing property, farmlands and cash. A number of hangers-on surrounded him very quickly and it was not long before all his cash was spent. He then sold all his properties. When the money from the sale of these properties got finished he put up the farmlands for sale. Some well-wishers, true friends of his late father, saw the deterioration in his affairs and tried to advise him. “Arè miyán!” They tried to make him understand: “Just think how hard your father struggled to achieve some security for you, his only son. Don’t throw everything away.” The son responded by saying: “My father was a fool! He gave away silver and accumulated sand. I am not so stupid. I am more intelligent: I give away sand and acquire silver.”
In those days the rúpí coin was made of silver. There was no paper money. In buying property and farmlands (sand) the father had to pay in silver coins. The son considered himself wiser in getting silver (rúpís) for the properties and farmlands (sand) that he was selling.
Yet, the Hadith Shareef says that whosoever has property, land or farms should not sell them. The reason is obvious. These are solid and permanent investments. Cash, on the contrary, is liquid and changeable. Property will give an income. Farms will produce crops. On the other hand, cash will be spent – cash in itself is non-productive. Yes, if one wishes to buy a better property or farm, then you may sell what you have.
In this instance it is more of an exchange than a selling off. This is the extent to which Rasúlulláh Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam had concern for us, that he even advised us on worldly affairs for our material wellbeing and comfort.
The son acted contrary to the Hadíth Sharíf. Moreover, he considered himself to be clever and his father to be stupid. Can anyone make such a thick skull understand?
As an example of how his friends made use of him the following incident is related:
A friend came to visit him, looking sad and dejected. “Why so sad today?” the son asked. The friend said: “Nothing serious really. There is a fair in Mírath and I had a desire to go. Not being able to go is making me feel rotten.” The son: “Why? What is the problem?” The friend said: “To go there and also have money for the various exhibitions…” The son said: “That is no problem. Feeling better?”
The friend said: “Yes, but… To go alone without congenial company, one cannot really enjoy oneself.” The son responded: “Sure. Sure.” The son asked how much he required. The friend indicated the sum. The son very generously handed the money over. This was the manner in which he spent on his friends. The net result was that soon he had no property, no farmlands and no cash. He was reduced to begging and existed on kindly hand-outs from relatives in Hyderabad and elsewhere.
His friends? They had quietly disappeared. This is the friendship of these times.
Qissah 12: The Superficial Friendship of One Youth for Another
Real and false friends and friendship
Hadhratwálá Rahmatullahi alaihi narrated:
There was a youngster – like one of today’s youngsters – who had become friendly with another youth. The youngster’s elderly father noticed his coming home late at nights and enquired: “One night, two nights, three nights and now every night you are coming home very late.
What is your story?” The youngster replied: “I go to visit a friend of mine. Sitting and talking with him, it tends to get a bit late.”
The father said: “Really? Oho! There are still such friends today?” The father continued. “When you are about to visit your friend tomorrow, let me know. I also wish to meet this dear friend of yours.”
The following evening, the youngster got ready and informed his father that he was about to leave to visit his friend. His father said: “Very well. I will be with you in a minute.” The father kept himself busy with first one task and then another, causing some delay. The youngster became restless. “Don’t fret. I am coming now,” the father said.
Deliberately he busied himself some more until it became quite late. “At last I am free. Let us go,” he said. The streets were empty. It was close to midnight and most people had retired for the night. On reaching the friend’s house, the youngster knocked on the door and called out to his friend. His friend enquired from inside. “Who is it?”
Mind you, the friend still wants to know who it is! The youngster gave his name. “Oh! It is rather late… Never mind. Hang on.” The friend came to the door and opened it. “Why have you come so late?” he asked.
The father had coached his son along the way as to what to say. Accordingly, the son replied: “Some problem has cropped up causing my delay. I have landed myself in some problem.” The word “problem” had a noticeable effect on the friend. He yawned and said: “I was fast asleep. I am still feeling heavy headed and my mind is not quite clear. What you do is come back in the morning. Then we will see what is what.”
Saying this, the friend closed the door, fastened the door chain and went back to bed. After a few moments of deathly silence the father spoke: “I have seen your friend of these times. And so have you. Now you come with me. I also have a friend from the old days. He has gone quite old and so have I. I have not seen him for ages, but, never mind, let me show you what type of friend he is.”
Late as it was, father and son proceeded to the house of the father’s friend. When they reached there the father knocked on the door and called out to his friend. The knocking woke up the friend and he called back from inside: “I’ll be with you in a minute.”
You will note that he did not ask “Who is it?” Even after an absence of several years he had recognised the voice immediately, in contrast to the youngster’s friend. He did not come to the door “in a minute”. There was some delay. And when he did open the door he presented a strange spectacle as he stood in the doorway: in his one arm he was clutching a bag; in his other arm he had a stick; and on his head was balanced a pot!
After salaams were exchanged, the father asked his friend: “What is all this?” The friend replied: “Nothing really. When I recognised your voice the thought struck me that, coming at this time of the night after an absence of several years, you must have some special problem. I have hurriedly made these few preparations and this caused the delay in my coming to the door.” The friend went onto explain: “This pot on my head has some food – if you have nothing to eat, this is to take home for your family. This bag in my hand contains money – if some creditor is making life difficult for you, this is to settle your debts. Thirdly, it may be that some enemy is after your blood. I may be old, but I can still wield a stick quite deftly and I’ll contribute at least two or three shots with this stick.”
The father reassured his friend. “No. There are no problems with food or money. There is also no fight. It is just that this son of mine used to come home late at night because of some friend of his. We went and saw this friend. I, in turn, offered to show him my old friend, which I have done. Shukria – thank you very much. Really, I am not in need of anything. Please forgive us for inconveniencing you at this late hour.” “You are welcome. It is your right,” his friend said. Making salaam, father and son took their leave.
The lesson on the true friendship that existed in those years had been forcefully driven home to the youngster. This is not an age in which you will find such friendships. So called friends have earned some fancy titles for themselves:
– Chamchí-yár – Friend of the tablespoon.
– Dastarkhán-ke-yár – Friend of the table spread.
– Muhazzab-dákú – Cultured/sophisticated thief.
And so forth.
Qissah 11: A Buzrug Lends his Friend some Money
A friend is a rare species. Where is there a real friend today? Hadhratwala Rahmatullah Alaihi mentioned a qissah in this connection: A buzurg arrived at the house of his buzurg-friend. He knocked on the door. His friend answered the knock and, after salaams were exchanged, asked: “What can I do for you? The buzurg replied: “I`m in need of 500 rupis.” The friend went inside the house, took out 500 rupis and came to give it to the buzurg, who took the money and left. There was no cross questioning. This buzurg friend then came back into the house, went to sit on the charpai (bed) and started weeping.
All of you know that a wife`s relationship is very informal and blunt. She will blurt out whatever she wants, whenever she wants and whatever way she wants to! So, when this buzurg husband started weeping the wife commented: “Suh-han-Allah! Just now, in a fit passion, you readily took out 500 rupis and gave it away. Now it seems you are grieving to why you gave away the money! If that is the case, why did you give the money away in the first place?” The buzurg replied composedly: “Begum! This is not the case.” “Then why are you weeping?” she countered. He replied: “I am weeping for the following reason: Tomorrow on the day of Qiyamah, if Allah Ta’ala were to ask: `Why was it necessary for your friend to come to your house for assistance? Why did you not make yourself aware of his need beforehand? ` What answer will I give? This is what makes me weep!”
Ponder a while! This is the friendship of ahlullah. These personages are of use in this world and they will be of use in the hereafter as well.
Qissah 10: The Manners of Imam Hasan (or Husain) Radhiyallahu anhum
Respect and Honour Among the Sahaba
Imam Hasan (or Husain) Radiyallahu anhum the grandson of Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam went to see a sahabi Radiyallahu anhum who was a muhaddith, to ask some mas`alah on some aspect of Din. On reaching the sahabi Radiyallahu anhum residence, he waited outside for the sahabi Radiyallahu anhum to come out. This was the correct etiquette in this situation. When the sahabi Radiyallahu anhum came out, he greeted him. Recognising the honoured guest, the sahabi Radiyallahu anhum said: “You should have called me from inside”. Imam Hasan Radiyallahu anhum replied: “I acted according to my grandfather`s instructions”. The sahabi Radiyallahu anhum had been ordered not to call out to Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam when desiring to ask a mas`ala, but to wait outside.
Lo! Those who call you from behind the private apartments, most of them have no sense. And if thy had had patience till you came forth to them, it had been better for them. And Allah is forgiving and merciful. (S.49.4-5.)
He continued: “I have come to acquire about some Dini matter from you”. The sahabi Radiyallahu anhum gladly obliged. A discussion took place and the matter was resolved.
It so happened that sahabi Radiyallahu anhum had to travel someplace. His horse arrived at that moment and he walked over to his horse. Imam Hasan (or Husain) Radiyallahu anhum walked to the opposite side of the horse and held the stirrup steady in anticipation of the sahabi Radiyallahu anhum mounting. The sahabi Radiyallahu anhum became embarrassed that such an honoured person as the grandson of Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam should stand in attendance on him. Instead of mounting he walked over to Imam Hasan (or Husain) Radiyallahu anhum and said: “It is very gracious of you to hold the stirrup for me, but, really, it is not necessary.”
Imam Hasan (or Husain) Radiyallahu anhum said: “This is just to enable you to mount with ease. It is my grandfather`s instructions that one respectfully serves one`s ustad.”
You will notice that there was no thought as to whose grandson he was and that this service was below his dignity. He had no airs about him. The sahabi Radiyallahu anhum responded by taking the hand of Imam Hasan (or Husain) Radiyallahu anhum and raising to his lips, he kissed it. “If your grandfather had instructed you in that manner, then he had instructed us in this manner.”
Qissah 8: The Istidraj of Shaitan
Incidentally, this amazing feat of Shaitan is not termed as “Karamat”, but “istidraj”. Any feat that appears to be supernatural or wondrous, shown by one not following the Shariah, cannot be termed a “Karamat”. It is “istidraj” and trap for the unwary – a trick to lead them astray.
Shaitan, as we all know, is the head of the kuffar – his kufr is the greatest – yet he has the capability of manifesting this amazing feat of setting his takht on the sea and gathering all his fellow Shayatin on it. Despite being weighty, the takht does not sink into the sea. This is “istidraj” which Allah Ta’ala sets forth as a test. This is mentioned by the way, to warn the unwary not to be hoodwinked by those disobedient to Allah Ta’ala.
When evening approaches, Shaitan spreads his takht on the sea and seats himself on it. His offspring, fellow Shayatin, who had been roaming around since the morning spreading their evil, return to give their reports. Shaitan listens to all and comments indifferently and impatiently at each one`s repot and responds: “Yes, yes. Well done. Yes, yes. Well done. “Then one gets up and says: “Listen to my report: Today I created friction between husband and wife, with the result that both flew into a rage – ghussah got hold of them.”
It comes in the Hadith Sharif that if anyone is overcome with ghussah at the time that something goes against his temperament, in appearance he is a human being, but, in reality he is a beast and he has approached the edge of Jahannam – a slight push and he is inside!
Th little Shaitan continues: “Having caused them to fly into a fit of rage, I goaded them on until a stage was reached where the husband gave the wife three talaqs”. At hearing this, Shaitan (senior) stands up in happiness and comes to pat the other shaitan on his back. “Shabash! Shabash! You have really done a great piece of work! Shabash! Bravo!” Shaitan seats himself again.
Finally another Shaitan stands up. “Listen to me as well!” The big Shaitan asks. “What do you wish to say?” This Shaytan says: “A talibul-ilm was going for classes, I tackled him. I whispered first one thing then another to him until I managed to stop him from proceeding to his class. I managed to get him to put his satchel down and got him involved in playing games. In this way, I prevent him from proceeding to aquire `ilme-Din`”. The nig Shaitan again stands up in sheer joy. He comes and pats the Shaitan on his back and then clasps him joyfully to his breast. “Shabash! Shabash!” he cries exultantly.
Why did the big Shaitan joyfully clasp the other Shaitan to his breast? His reason is that he feels greatly offended at anybody attaining `ilm of Din. So to say he thinks as follows.” There is disgrace in this for me. When that child grows up he may become an `alim of the Din, a faqih. How many sinners will he not bring back to the Straight Path! He will burden me like a mountain! He will be an obstruction in my scheming and istidraj.”
That is why it comes in the Hadith Sharif:
One faqih is more burdensome on Shaitan than a thousand `abeds.
Qissah 9: The Qissah of the Talibul Ilm when Tempted
The khauf of Allah Ta’ala of a Talibul-`ilm
[- as related by Hadhrat Mufti `Aqilur-Rahman Sahib, who writes:]
This bandah saw a waqi`ah in a certain kitab:
A talibul-`ilm was staying in a masjid situated in the wilderness. It so happened that a noble man`s daughter, who was a keen huntress and who had been out hunting with her friends, got separated from her group. Wandering around, completely lost, she came upon this masjid. Seeing the talibul-`ilm inside, she expressed a wish to sleep over for the night. She was dressed in male clothing, but the talibul-`ilm made out from her voice that this was actually a young female. He raised no objection to her request. She entered and went to one corner and fell asleep.
He went to his place and slept. In the middle of the night the talibul-`ilm`s nafs started instigating him, telling him: “She is a girl. She is weak. We are completed secluded.” The talibul-`ilm got up. There was an open oil lamp burning. He went over to it and placed his finger in the flame and kept it there for a moment. He then went back to sleep. It was not long when his nafs started troubling him again. He again went over to the oil lamp and placed his finger in the flame. He then went back to sleep. This procedure repeated itself several times. In the meantime, the girl now wide awake, was watching all this.
When the morning came and they got up, the girl asked: “Why did you keep on burning your finger the whole night through?”
The talibul-`ilm evaded giving an answer and remained silent. However, the girl insisted he tell her. Finally he said: “I am also human. I also possess a nafs inside of me. From your voice I recognized that you were a girl. My nafs started to incite me. I responded by telling my nafs: “The punishment for what you are inciting me is the fire of Jahannam. The fire Is 70 times harsher than the fie in this world. First, show that you can endure the pain of this fire, then I will fulfill your desire`. In this way, by burning my finger, I broke its desire.”
There are many such qissas of talibul-`ilms who have the fear of Allah Ta’ala in their hearts. Here only one episode has been noted down.
