Download PDF: [S] He Served his Friend

Hadrat Sayyiduna Sahl bin Ebrahim – may Allah be pleased with him – narrates:

 

I once stayed for a few days in the blessed company of Hadrat Sayyiduna Ebrahim bin Adham – may Allah be pleased with him.

 

One day, I became very ill and he spent whatever he had to take care of me and also acquire medication. I also desired to eat some special food and because he had nothing else to sell, he sold his own donkey and spent the money on me. I was unaware of this at that moment. When I had fully recovered from this illness, I asked him, “O Ebrahim! Where is the donkey?” He replied that he had sold it.

 

I mentioned that I was feeling extremely weak and was wondering how I would travel. However, he mentioned that he would carry me on his back. These words were not spoken in jest or play, the great Saint actually did carry me for quite a long distance. (Risaale Qushayriyyah)

 

He also admits that whatever status he possessed was all due to his service for his mother.

He narrates that one night, his mother asked him for a glass of water and at that moment, there was no water in the house. He went to the nearest spring to bring some water and when he returned she was already sleeping. He continued to stand near her bedside perchance she would awake and ask for some water. As a matter of fact, it was also so cold that the water became ice in the glass. When his mother awoke, he presented this glass of water to her and she informed him that he should have left the water next to her and that there was no reason for have stayed awake the entire night. However, she also made a special Du’a for him.