Download PDF: [S] His Desire for the Isme Azam (Islamic story)

Hadrat Sayyiduna Yusuf bin Hasan – may Allah be pleased with him – narrates:

 

I was informed that the great Saint, Hadrat Sayyiduna Zun Nun Misri – may Allah be pleased with him – was someone who knew the “Isme Azam.” I travelled to Egypt and made sure that I cope with all the difficulties of the journey. Finally, I ended in the court of the great Saint. My beard was also quite long. I also had a large bowl with me. However, when the Saint saw me, he turned away his head. He did not pay any attention to me. I continued to stay around him with the hope that one day, he might pay attention to me. Many days were spent in this manner.

 

One day, a person who claimed he had complete knowledge of Ilmul Kalam approached Hadrat Sayyiduna Zun Nun Misri – may Allah be pleased with him – and began to debate with him extreme disrespect and a loud voice. Hadrat Sayyiduna Zun Nun Misri – may Allah be pleased with him – began to present various evidence to the person but he refused to listen to any evidence. When I saw this, I decided to debate with the person and I easily managed to defeat him without too much trouble. When he had left, Hadrat Sayyiduna Zun Nun Misri – may Allah be pleased with him – looked at me and he was extremely kind and generous to me after this incident. He also apologised to me for his previous attitude towards me. Bear in mind that I was young and brash and understood that no would be able to defeat me in any debate. I then mentioned to Hadrat Sayyiduna Zun Nun Misri – may Allah be pleased with him – that I wanted to remain in his company so that I would be able to learn something.  I then remained in his company for nearly a year.

 

One day, ceasing the opportunity, I asked him, “Hadrat! I have stayed for one year in your blessed company and I feel that it is only right that I should receive a gift from you. I was informed that you know the Isme Azam and I am sure that in this one year, you must have seen my qualifications and potential. Therefore, I kindly request that you teach me the Isme Azam and I also feel that you have now become pleased enough with me to do this.”

 

I then stayed with him for another six months. One day, he handed me a small container and over this container, there was a piece of cloth. He then looked at me and said, “O young man! There is a friend of mine who lives in the village of Qistaat. I request that you kindly deliver this to that person.”

 

I said that I will gladly deliver this to his friend. I took this parcel and started to walk towards Qistaat. I began to think about the eminent state of Hadrat Sayyiduna Zun Misri – may Allah be pleased with him – and that certainly, this was no ordinary parcel. I had the great urge to see what this important piece of item was. I then stopped at a certain bridge and decided to remove the cloth to see what was below it. When I removed the cloth, a little mouse ran out from this small container and escaped. I also became extremely angry that this was such a simple gift which I was told to carry. I felt that perhaps the great Saint was making me a fool by making me carry such a simple item.

 

However, when I returned to the great Saint, he looked at me and said, “I have decided to test you and if you could not look after and take care of a simple thing like a small mouse, how can you protect and take care of such an immense Amaanah like the Isme Azam. Therefore, you should leave because you certainly do not have the capabilities to protect a mighty item like the Isme Azam.” (Ainul Hikaayah)