Download PDF: [S] He Lost 40 years of Spiritual Penitence

Hadrat Sayyiduna Abu Abdullah bin Khafeef – may Allah be pleased with him – narrates that once Hadrat Sayyiduna Abu Talib Khazraj bin Ali – may Allah be pleased with him –  came to the city of Shiraz. He became very ill. The former Saint used to also visit him. The former Saint narrates further, “In that period I used to perform a lot of spiritual penitence and only eat peas or dried peas. Once, when I broke the shell of a dry pea in front of Hadrat Sayyiduna Abu Talib Khazraj – may Allah be pleased with him – with my mouth, he heard the sound of this pea breaking. He asked me what I was doing and I replied that I was busy in spiritual penitence. When he heard this remark, he wept and declared, ‘O Abu Abdullah! Keep from on what you are doing. I used to also strive in spiritual penitence like you. However, one night I attended a certain function with a few friends of mine. At that place, fried camel was been served. When the food was presented, I withdrew my hand. When my friends noticed this, they asked me to join them and because of this, I took a small piece of this meat but I felt that I had gone back forty years (in spiritual elevation).’”

 

Hadrat Sayyiduna ibn Khafeef – may Allah be pleased with him – mentions that after this, Hadrat Sayyiduna Abu Talib Khazraj – may Allah be pleased with him – then retired to an old house which was outside the town and he made sure that the house remained dark. When he was asked about this, he replied, “The one who is in trouble should reside in this manner.” He lived in this old house all his life until he passed away. (Uyunul Hikaayah)

 

In other words, the Awliyah are such special creation of Allah Almighty that they do not for one second believe that any of the enjoyments of this world are meant for them.