Download PDF: [S] A Lesson in Pride

It is mentioned that once a very pretty looking female slave was walking among the other servants on the streets of Basrah when Hadrat Sayyiduna Malik bin Dinaar – may Allah be pleased with him – noticed this slave. He also noticed that the female slave displayed immense pride and arrogance because of her good looks.

 

Hadrat Sayyiduna Malik bin Dinaar – may Allah be pleased with him – then approached her and asked, “Will your owner be prepared to sell you?”

 

She replied, “Even if he decides to sell me, how will a poor and destitute person like you be able to afford someone like me?”

 

Hadrat Sayyiduna Malik bin Dinaar – may Allah be pleased with him – replied that he would be able to acquire someone more beautiful than her. When she returned home, she informed her master of what had transpired.

 

Her master then asked the great Saint, “What do you want?”

He replied that he wanted to purchase this female slave.

 

The person asked Hadrat Sayyiduna Malik bin Dinaar – may Allah be pleased with him, “Do you have the money to purchase someone like this?”

 

The great Saint replied, “In my opinion, the value of this female slave is nothing more than two dried seeds of a date.”

 

When her master heard this, he asked what the reason was for this.

 

Hadrat Sayyiduna Malik bin Dinaar – may Allah be pleased with him – replied, “There are many defects in this female and an item which has so many defects is something which is not worth much money.”

 

The master of this female slave then asked the great Saint to explain the defects of this pretty female.

 

Hadrat Sayyiduna Malik bin Dinaar – may Allah be pleased with him – explained, “Listen carefully! If she does not put fragrance on her body, she develops a bad odour. If she does not wash her mouth, again a bad odour appears from her mouth. If she does not comb her hair, she looks terrible. If she becomes older, there is no more beauty which appears in her. She also has the defect of Haiz and also needs to go to the toilet. All of these are defects which is within her. When she is troubled and sad, the sign of this appears on her features. This is merely the outer defects. Internally, she has pride and arrogance which are also defects within her. Her friendship is also not true.

 

“I am able to acquire a maiden far more supreme than this female and at a lower price. She is created from nur and muskh. If she places her tongue in water which is bitter, the water itself becomes sweet as honey. If she speaks to a dead person, he comes alive. If she appears in front of the sun, her brightness overshadows the sun. If she appears in front of the world, she is able to beautify the entire sun with her prettiness. She is also very true and honest in her word and promise. Tell me, between the both of them, who is more valuable?”

 

When the master of this female slave heard this, he asked Hadrat Sayyiduna Malik bin Dinaar – may Allah be pleased with him, “What is the price of such a beautiful maiden?”

 

Hadrat Sayyiduna Malik bin Dinaar – may Allah be pleased with him – replied, “The price for something like this is to dedicate a few moments every night by reading two rak’ah of Salaah with a sincere intention. If there is food which is presented to you, you should distribute it among the poor and needy. If there is any obstacle in the road and pathway, make sure that you remove it. Another price for this is to be prepared to spend your life in poverty and destitution. Stay away from all material things. Refrain from jealousy. Adopt gratefulness. If you do all of these things, tomorrow, you will live in peace and tranquility and you will walk on the path towards Jannah.”

 

When the owner of these slaves heard this, he freed all of his slaves and gave away everything he had to the poor and needy. He wore simple clothing. When the female slave saw this she also decided to adopt the same behaviour of her master. Hadrat Sayyiduna Malik bin Dinaar – may Allah be pleased with him – then made a special Du’a for them. It is mentioned that both, master the slave spent the rest of their lives in this fashion until they finally met their Creator. (Roud Ar Riyaheen)