MUSJIDUL HAQ

Download PDF: [S] Abandoned the world for the Pleasure of Allah (Islamic Story)

It is recorded that Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar bin Abdul Baqi – may Allah be pleased with him – was a very famous land owner.

On the other hand, Hadrat Sayyiduna Ebrahim bin Adham – may Allah be pleased with him – had given up his royal position and chosen the life of a Dervish. To earn a livelihood, he used to help various land owners when it came time for harvesting, etc.

Once, Hadrat Sayyiduna Ebrahim bin Adham – may Allah be pleased with him – and his friend worked for Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar bin Abdul Baqi – may Allah be pleased with him – for a few days and both of them earned twenty Dinaars. The great saint then said to his friend, “Come, and let us go the barber so that we can shave our heads.”

Both of them approached the local barber, but he paid no attention to them. He then said to them in a very scornful fashion, “There are no people more despicable to me in the world than you people. Could you people not find someone else than to come to me?”

Obviously, he must have behaved like this because he could see the state of their clothing and they certainly looked extremely poor. He may have also thought that they wanted a free haircut. He ignored them and turned to his other customers without giving them a second look.

The friend of Hadrat Sayyiduna Ebrahim bin Adham – may Allah be pleased with him – felt extremely insulted by the behaviour of this barber and refused to sit there any longer to have his hair cut. However, the great Saint sat there without moving and without saying a word. After all the customers had left, the barber then asked them what they wanted and the great Saint replied that he wanted to have his head shaved. The barber then shaved his head but continued to look at him in a very disparaging manner. Imagine the state of this barber! He is looking at someone in such a bad manner who has actually given up his entire kingdom for the Divine Pleasure of Allah Almighty. There is no doubt that only a person who is well educated in recognizing a diamond will recognize a diamond. Sad to say that this barber was certainly not one of them.

After this was completed, Hadrat Sayyiduna Ebrahim bin Adham – may Allah be pleased with him – asked his friend to hand over the twenty Dinaars to this barber. However, his friend replied, “Hadrat, what are you saying? We have worked so hard in the burning sun and have earned this twenty Dinaars and now you are saying we should give it to this person?”

However, Hadrat Sayyiduna Ebrahim bin Adham – may Allah be pleased with him – replied, “Give all the money to him so that from today, he will not look at any Dervish who approaches him in such an insulting manner.”

His friend then handed all the money to this barber.

He then returned to the city of Tartus. In the morning, Hadrat Sayyiduna Ebrahim bin Adham – may Allah be pleased with him – said to his friend, “Take these few books of mine and keep it with someone as a guarantee and borrow some money and buy some food.”

His friend then took these books and walked towards the bazaar. However, on the road, this friend of his met a person who was sitting in a tent which looked like a royal tent. He was surrounded by expensive horses and near him there was a box which had about seventy thousand Dinaars in it. He also had a large amount of grain which was stored near his tent. This person was also calling out to the public in the following words, “The owner of all of these goods is a person who is reddish white in complexion and whose name is Ebrahim bin Adham – may Allah be pleased with him. Is there anyone who can point out this person to me?”

When the friend of Hadrat Sayyiduna Ebrahim bin Adham – may Allah be pleased with him – heard this public announcement, he approached the person and said, “The person whom you seek is not someone who likes publicity. Come with me, I will point him out to you.”

Both of them then approached Hadrat Sayyiduna Ebrahim bin Adham – may Allah be pleased with him – and when this person saw the old clothes being worn by the great Saint, he began to weep with sorrow. He then said, “My Master, my King, after leaving the kingdom of Khuraasan, look at what has become of you.”

However, Hadrat Sayyiduna Ebrahim bin Adham – may Allah be pleased with him – replied, “Leave these issues aside. Explain to me what the problem is.”

The person replied that the person whom the great Saint had left in charge of the kingdom had passed away. The great Saint then made Du’a for this person and mentioned that death would approach every one and no one would be able to escape.

Hadrat Sayyiduna Ebrahim bin Adham – may Allah be pleased with him – then again asked the person why he had come looking for him. The person replied, “My master, when the person had died whom you had nominated, everyone then took whatever he wanted. They also distributed all of these royal treasures among themselves. I have also taken many items myself. However, whatever I have brought with me, all of these items belong to you and I have also come to apologise for my behaviour. Prior to coming, when I approached the ‘Ulama, they had also informed me that as long as I did not seek pardon from you, none of my actions and deeds would be accepted in the Divine Court of Allah Almighty. They also advised me that I should bring these items and present it you and whatever you decide, I was to obey that command. Therefore, I am now present in front of you and await your command.”

Hadrat Sayyiduna Ebrahim bin Adham – may Allah be pleased with him – then said to him, “If you are truthful in whatever you have said, then for the sake of Allah Almighty I now free you. And whatever wealth you have with you, I have given all of this to you and you may spend it as you wish. Go, from today, all of this wealth belongs to you.”

Hadrat Sayyiduna Ebrahim bin Adham – may Allah be pleased with him – then turned to his friend and said, “Go and give someone these books as a guarantee and borrow some money so that we could purchase some food.” (Uyunul Hikaayah)

Imagine the state of these Saints who abandoned everything they had for the Divine Pleasure of Allah Almighty! This included their kingdom, their servants, their wealth, their riches, their mansions, their palaces and whatever else they possessed. They continued to smile as they braved poverty and destitution. They never allowed themselves to complain. They understood that this world was nothing but something which was going to last for only a few days. They also understood that to sacrifice the Hereafter for these few days of pleasure was not true intelligence. The intelligent person is that person who chooses the Hereafter instead of something which will eventually be destroyed.

We also make Du’a that the Almighty through the Barakah of these pure souls also give us the strength to do good deeds.  He must also grace us with the quality of always being happy with His Divine Pleasure. Instead of impatience and ingratitude from our side, He must grace us with patience and gratitude.

All those who face problems in this world should display patience and become entitled for the reward of the Hereafter. When we face difficulty, we are being tested and a brave person is that person who continues to displays patience and gratitude.