Download PDF: [S] He had the Fragrance of his Family before Dying (Islamic story)

Hadrat Sayyiduna Abu Ishaq Ebrahim Khawwas – may Allah be pleased with him – narrates the following incident. This is truly an amazing incident and also gives a picture of the true Imaan of those on the right path. It is important that we look carefully at this incident.

 

The eminent Saint narrates:

 

Once I was travelling somewhere and had forgotten the road. I continued to walk for the next two or three days until evening. I was concerned because I had no water for Wudu as well. However, suddenly I heard someone whispering, “O Abu Ishaq! Come closer”.

 

As I went close, I noticed a young man who was dressed in extremely clean clothes and who lay on the floor. Next to his head, there were also two bunches of pretty flowers. When I noticed these flowers, I was extremely surprised thinking that where would flowers come from in this lonely and barren plain. He was actually laying on a heap of sand and could not move.

He then told me, “O Abu Ishaq! The time for my passing has come near and I had made Du’a to Allah Almighty that before I pass away, He should allow me to look at the face of one of His blessed Awliyah. A few seconds later, I heard someone say to me, ‘Just now, before you pass away, you will be able to see Abu Ishaq Khawwaas.’ I am certain that this is you.”

 

I then asked him, “My dear brother! What has happened to you and why are you in this state?”

 

He replied, “I used to live in pomp and luxury with my family. One day, I decided to make a journey. I left home and decided to go for Hajj. I departed from Shamsaat. However, I am in this state for the past one month and now my time has come closer to leave this world.”

 

I then asked him about his parents and he replied that he had parents and a sister.

 

I asked him whether he had the wish to meet his family and whether they had made the effort to look for him.

 

He replied that no, but today, he could smell the fragrance of his family and today he had thought about them a lot.

 

While he was thinking on these lines, many animals surrounded him and they brought these flowers to him and also wept with him as well.

 

I became even more surprised at what the young man was saying to me and I was by now highly impressed by the young man. While I was thinking in this manner, suddenly a large serpent appeared and it had a garland of narcissus in its mouth. I have never seen such a beautiful and pretty looking garland before. The serpent then placed this garland of flowers near the head of the young man and in pure classical Arabic declared to me, “O Ebrahim! Move a little from the young man because Allah Almighty is Secret in His Divine Decree.”

 

I was extremely taken aback by what I saw happening in front of me and I went into a state of spiritual ecstasy and fell unconscious. When I regained consciousness, I noticed that the young man had already passed away. I then uttered the ‘Inna lillaahi’.

 

I also thought to myself that this is indeed a great test on me because it meant that I had to fulfil the burial rites of this pious young man on my own. Suddenly, I felt extreme drowsiness and fell asleep. I then awoke and realised that I had been sleeping the entire night and when I looked around, the body of the young man was no longer present. I was also very worried.

 

After completing the Hajj in that year, I travelled to the city of Shamsaat. When I reached there, a few ladies in pardah approached me. There was one of them who closely resembled the young man. She was reciting the Tasbeeh of Allah Almighty. When I looked closely at her, again I realised that this female closely resembled the young man. She then said to me without us introducing ourselves, “O Abu Ishaq! I have been waiting for you for a number of days. Please explain to me the story of my young brother who was the coolness for our eyes.”

 

She wept and I also began to weep. I then revealed what had happened to her brother and whatever I had seen when I was in his present. When she heard the words of her brother that he had mentioned that he could sense the fragrance of his family, she screamed that indeed he was correct and fell on the ground. When people looked at her, she had passed away.

 

The other females then said to me, “O Abu Ishaq! May Allah give you immense reward for your kindness.”

 

When they buried the young lady, I spent a long time near her grave and at night, I saw her in a dream standing in a lush green orchard. Her brother also stood near her. They were also reciting verses from the Qur’an in a most beautiful manner.

 

Poem:

  1. These are those people whom the oppressed turn to when they are in a state of oppression.
  2. When you arrive at their door step, (in a state of debt), their kindness will certainly help and assist you. (Ar Rouad Al Faa’iq)