Showing posts with label Stories. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stories. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Stories of the Pious ||| The Woman Who Was The Master Of Bayazid Bestami (ra)

It is said that when Bayazid Bestami was asked who his master was, he explained:
She was an old woman.

One day, I was possessed by such ecstacy and yearning and sense of unity that not even a hair of anything else could be found in me. In this selfless mood, I went for a stroll in the desert, where I happened to meet an elderly lady burdened with a bag of flour.


She asked me to carry the flour for her, but I was incapable of taking it, so I beckoned to a lion to take the load. The lion came up to me and I laid the sack upon its back. I then asked the old lady what she intended to say to the townspeople since I did not want them to apprehend who I was.

"I'll tell them," she replied, "that I met a vain tyrant."

"What are talking about?" I exclaimed.

The lady explained thus, first asking: "Has the lion been put to trouble or not?"

"No," I answered. -

"Except for the fact that you burden down those whom God Himself has not burdened!" she objected. "Is that not oppression?"

"So it is", I admitted.

"And, despite this", she continued, "still you desire the townspeople to know that you have subjected a lion and are a miracle worker. Is that not vanity?"

"Yes, it is", I confessed.

So I repented, experiencing abasement from my former exaltation. Indeed that old woman's words performed the function of a spiritual guide and master for me.


SOURCE: Attar, Tadhkerat al-auliya

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Allah's Forgiveness ||| Benefits in Hadith

***TRUE STORY*** 
The Man Who Committed 99 Murders


There’s a story related in Sahih Bukhari emphasising the vastness and generousness of Allah’s mercy on Forgiveness. 

The Prophet  picked on certain events throughout history to show their importance. This emphasised a certain message that he was trying to convey to us. Since the events of the past are so numerous, the ones chosen to be related and preserved in his words till the end of time must be of great importance. Whenever we hear stories of the past we should always remember that Allah had chosen those stories to be related as a great occurrence.

There was a man who had heartlessly murdered 99 people, when all of a sudden he felt remorse over what he had done. He asked the people in his town if they knew anyone who was pious enough to get advice from. They recommended to him an ascetic who lived in the mountains. So the man went to this learned person and told him about the past and his wishing to repent for his actions. He asked the man, “Will Allah forgive me?”. The learned man was so shocked by everything he had heard that he said “No, you will not be pardoned.” So the murderer killed him as well!

He felt remorse yet again and asked the people if they knew anyone else. They recommended to him another scholar who they were acquainted with. Again, the murderer asked the same question, “Will Allah forgive me?” Being a truly wise man and knowing Allah’s all-encompassing mercy and His ability to forgive anything, the scholar replied “Of course you will be pardoned, repent at once!”

The wise man also gave him some advice, telling him of a city where there were devoted worshippers of Allah. He recommended that he move there to be around them and not to come back to his town, which was the place of evil. So the man started towards that town and on the way he died.

The angels of mercy descended upon him and so did the angels of punishment. They started arguing over him. The angels of mercy said “This man had repented and was seeking Allah, so he is ours.” The angels of punishment said “This man had never done anything good in his life and did not even complete his repentance.” Allah sent another angel to them in the form of a man, and both parties took him as their arbitrator.

This angel said “Measure the distance of the earth between the two cities, and let him be assigned to the one he is closest to.” When the angels measured the distance, it just so happened that he was nearer the town of his destination just by a hand-span, and so the angels of mercy took away his soul to paradise. Another version narrates that Allah had ordered the earth to be stretched such that he became closer to the city of piety and further from the city of evil.

Lessons:
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*Allah’s mercy is all-encompassing and He can forgive any sin, even the most heinous such as murdering 100 people, at least 1 of whom was a pious person
*After repenting from a sin, we should always immediately take steps to avoid returning to it again
*We should not fall into despair when we sin, because if we repent and turn back to Allah, He will help us be among those who are forgiven

Friday, October 13, 2017

Umme Sulaim Razi. ||| A unique story of Jannaty Lady Sahaba

Hadrat Anas bin Malik Razi: Narrated by the Prophet said, I entered into Paradise in the dream. Suddenly someone heard the movement of movement. I asked the angels, 'Who is he? They said, he is Rumaija bint Milhan, Anas Ibn Malik's mother. - Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 2456; Musnad Ahmad, Hadith: 11955; Tawqat ibn Saad 8/429; Musnad Tawlisi, Hadith: 1715


The Prophet  has said in a tradition related to Hazrat Jabir Razi : I dreamed that I had entered Paradise.Suddenly I saw my wife in front of Abu talahara rumaicha Razi . - Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 3679; Musnad Ahmad, Hadith: 15002; Sahih Ibn Habiban, Hadith: 7084; Sunan Nasai Kubra, Hadith: 8124

Hazrat Rumaihaa Binte Milhan Ansariya 
Razi : The nickname is Umme Sulaim Razi. He is more famous in this name.

She had many qualities and characteristics. She is also one of the leading companions of Islam. At first he married Malik bin Nur. In that house Anas 
Razi. Was born. He became embroiled in accepting Islam and migrated to Syria, and Malik bin Nur left his home there and died there. Later, he was married to Abu Talha.
Umme Sulaim Razi. second marriage (with Abu Talha Razi)  Anas Razi narrated about, before embracing Islam, Abu Talhah Umm Sulaim proposed marriage. Um Sulaim Razi replied in reply: Do you know that the god you worship is from the land? (Made of clay, tree and straw) He said, yes. Umme Sulaim Razi. said, do not you shy to worship the trees? I have accepted Islam. If you follow my religion, then I will marry you. It is my seal to accept your Islam. I do not want any more seal except He said, okay. I think. Then he came back and said, I am also following your religion. He became Muslim, and he married Um Sulaim. - Sunan Nasai, Hadith: 3340; Abdur Razzaq in Musnaf, Hadith: 10417


Anas Razi when was ten years old, his mother Hazrat She Razi with him, the Prophet  court came and said, 'O Allah's Apostle! This is my son Anas, who will do your work today. Since then Anas Razi: Regularly performing the service of the Prophet . Hazrat Anas Razi said, "Allah, give me good exchange for my mother." She cherished me well.

Anas Razi. narrated that the Prophet  She Razi. and took some Ansari women fought in the war and the water used to serve others.

In the battle of Hunain, he proceeded towards the battle with his liver. Abu Talha Razi: O Allah's Messenger! Umme Sulaim Razi., he is lazy! Umme Sulaim said, "If a polytheist tries to approach me, I will take out his intestines with it."

In the Hadith, history and biographies, many stories of heroism, courage, goodness, wisdom and intelligence are described. However, it is very difficult to find his precedence in the pages of history that he has set a unique example of patience and intelligence during the mushyat.

Imam Bukhari Rah. In his famous Hadith book Saheeh Bukhari, he has titled this event -
'Who does not express his feelings during the mushyat'. His story is such that after the marriage of Umme Sulaim Razi. with Hadrat Abu Talha Razi., a son was born in a beautiful footsteps. His name was Umair. There was also a small bird with whom the Prophet  , playing with him, sometimes used to joke with the child and said, 'O Umair! What is your bulabuli news! Abu Talha Razi: He loved him so much. One day the boy became ill. Abu Talha Razi: He became very worried about this. He even became unstable. His practice was, he is the Messenger of Allah  every morning and evening Used to come to the court. One afternoon he left the house. In the meantime, his sick son died. Umme Sulaim Razi: On death, after bathing, the boy took a bath, put the shroud and gave perfume. Covering the clothes well and laying nicely on one corner of the house. Hadrat Anas Razi: Who sent Hadrat Abu Talha Razi. and sent him and told him that Abu Talha should not tell the news of the son's death.

Abu Talha Razi: That day fasting. Umme Sulaim Razi: She made a dough for him. Abu Talha Razi. asked the child to return home. Umme Sulaim said, she is now cooler than before. Immediately the tired husband did not tell the child's deadline. The people of the house were also forbidden. Someone other than him told him not to tell the news. Hadrat Abu Talha Razi: After hearing him, he thought that the boy was asleep and sleeping safely. So he also ate nights in the mind and took a rest. Even in the morning, he also had a bath.

Hadrat Abu Talha Razi: Before leaving, Umme Sulaim agreed to say, tell him, if someone keeps somebody else's money and wants to return it to him, then he has the right to keep him away without giving him back? Abu Talha Razi said, "No, he has no right." Hadrat Umme Sulaim Razi: Now say calmly, be patient with your son. Allah had kept him with us, and then he withdrew. Abu Talha Razi: It became angry and complained of the behavior of the night and accused the Prophet  for the wife's name. The Prophet  became enthralled by the incident and said, 'Allah bless you this night.' Then Allah gave them another son Abdullah. Abdullah ibn Abu Talha Razi: Who later Allah Almighty gave seven sons, each of whom became a scholar of the Quran. - Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 1301; Musnad Ahmad, Hadith: 1208; Fath al Bari 3/01; Tawakat ibn Saad 8 / 431-3 Allama Ibn Hazar Aaskalani
Allama Ibn Hazar Aaskalani Rah. Many of these hadith have mentioned fawwad. At first she was Umme Sulaim Razi: Characteristics and greatness have shown that through this incident, she has introduced her wisdom, intelligence, tolerance and good qualities.

At first, without giving any news of the death of hier son, the husband gave her a chance to sleep at night. Examples of comfort to a grieving husband as well as with the return of the material returned to the child's death, she also taught to accept the judgment of Allah satisfactorily. When Allah knew the truth about her purpose and purpose, she increased her dignity and he received the blessings of the blessings of the Messenger of Allah   .

Learning in this regard is to accept the judgment of Allah satisfied. Be patient with danger and expect good exchange with Allah. Use ambiguous sentences for the needs. Take the decoration for the husband's satisfaction etc.

https://k-banglawali-m.blogspot.com/2017/10/unique-story-of-jannaty-lady-sahaba.html 

Monday, August 31, 2015

Isabella – A Girl of Muslim Spain

A rewritten and expanded telling of M. Saeed Dehlvi’s classic tale of a young girl who finds Islam- and danger – amidst the harrowing religious conflicts of medieval Muslim Spain.
Experience first time what life was like in the splendid Muslim City of Cordoba, Spain. See through the eyes of Isabella as she struggles with her father’s Christian beliefs and finds that life is not always as easy as people think. Embark on a journey into history. Into the heart…. As you follow her on the path from darkness into light.
Contents:

Sultan Mahmood Ghaznawi and also the Robbers

1 evening Sultan Mahmood Ghaznawi gone strolling amongst their topics right after removing their regal clothing as well as wearing regular clothing. This individual chanced in the future on several robbers who had been talking to among on their own. Upon viewing your pet these people requested: “Who are you currently? ”
The actual Cal . king (Sultan) answered: “I feel additionally 1 such as her. ” These people comprehended which in order to imply that this individual had been the robber such as on their own as well as permitted your pet to participate their own organization. Then they carried on the actual discussion among on their own also it had been made the decision that every one of these ought to clarify exactly what specialty or even ability this individual offers to ensure that during the time of require a job might be place prior to your pet to demonstrate which unique ability.
Among the robbers stated: “Friends, We have a unique present inside my ear, which every time a canine barks, We completely understand exactly what this individual states. ”
The 2nd 1 stated: “I possess a unique present inside my eye, which what ever I realize within the night associated with evening, We are in a position to identify this within the lighting associated with time. ”
The 3rd 1 stated: “I possess this particular specialty inside my hands which with the power which is based on the hands, I could create a pit within the most powerful walls, in order to get into a home. ”
The actual 4th 1 stated: “I possess this particular unique present inside my nasal area which through smelling the actual fine sand on the floor We are in a position to conclude whether or not there is certainly any kind of cherish smothered beneath it or even not really. It really is exactly like when it comes to Majnoon, who else without having to be informed, simply through smelling the floor, have got to understand wherever Layla had been smothered. ”
The actual 5th 1 stated: “I possess this kind of power inside my fingers it does not matter exactly how higher the creating is actually, I could ascend together the walls along with the string step ladder as well as very easily the actual creating in this way. ”
After that all of them requested the actual Cal . king: “O guy, exactly what unique present would you have that we are able to take advantage of within our thieving actions? ”
The actual Cal . king answered: “I possess this particular specialty inside my facial beard that whenever crooks tend to be paid for their executioner, We simply tremble the facial beard as well as this kind of crooks tend to be instantly arranged totally free. ” (In some other terms, in case like a display associated with whim We tremble the facial beard, the actual crooks discovered doing killing, tend to be arranged free).
Upon listening to this particular the actual robbers stated: “O beloved Qutub, when needed associated with trouble, you may be our own 1 ways of answer. ” (In some other terms, when we tend to be imprisoned, after that via a person benefits i will be stored. Right now all of us do not need to worry, since the associated with all of us experienced the actual unique present which may assist all of us within our thieving uses, however non-e people experienced the actual ways of allowing security through penalties. This particular specialty is situated just along with you. Right now we want have no anxiety about penalties. Right now we are able to get along with our own work).
All of them gone ın the direction of the actual structure associated with Shah Mahmood using the Cal . king within their middle. As you go along a puppy barked and also the one that comprehended the actual dog’s dialect converted: “The Cal . king can also be within a person middle. ” Even though noticed this, nobody compensated any kind of focus on these details, because their own avarice had been uppermost within their thoughts. One of these smelled the floor as well as described this may be the Regal Structure. There exists a cherish within this location. Another 1 put the string step ladder from the walls. Another 1 created the pit within the walls plus they almost all joined in order to burgle. Later on these people separated the actual loot among on their own as well as quickly every one of all of them visited conceal their discuss from the corrupts.
The actual Cal . king mentioned every one’s explanation as well as discovered wherever every one of them lived. This individual remaining all of them as well as privately re-entered the actual Regal Structure. The next time the actual Cal . king associated the whole tale in order to their courtiers as well as after that delivered the actual policemen in order to police arrest all of them and also to let them know of the demise phrase.
Once they had been introduced prior to the Courtroom along with fingers certain with each other, these were almost all moving within worry prior to the King’s pot. But the actual robber who else experienced this particular unique present associated with realizing anyone throughout the day who he previously observed throughout the night, had been very comfortable. Within your pet with the symptoms associated with worry there have been additionally places associated with wish. Quite simply, even though this individual had been minted through amazement whilst position prior to the Cal . king as well as even though fearing the actual King’s wrath as well as vengeance, this individual additionally experienced the actual wish, that this Cal . king will be faithful to their term, that whenever within whim this individual shakes their facial beard, crooks is going to be arranged totally free. In addition this individual additionally experienced the actual wish associated with establishing totally free 's their buddies since the Cal . king will certainly not really change from dozens of who this individual realized as well as acknowledged.
This particular person’s encounter had been altering through yellow-colored in order to red-colored, because inside themself the actual emotions associated with worry as well as wish alternated. The actual Sultan Mahmood within Kingly pride handed down view which they almost all ought to be paid towards the Executioner to become dangled within the gallows. Since the Cal . king themself had been see for their criminal offense, there was clearly absolutely no requirement for every other witnesses.
The moment the actual Cal . king introduced their reasoning, this particular individual become a huge hit within excellent humbleness: “Sire, along with you authorization, might We state some thing? ” The actual Cal . king allowed your pet in order to talk and stated: “O Learn, every one of all of us experienced showed their unique present that assisted within this criminal offense. It is now period that this Kingly specialty ought to be showed based on the guarantee. We have even while acknowledged a person. Keep in mind you needed guaranteed which within a person facial beard there is certainly this particular specialty, that should you make it move around in whim, the actual legal is going to be stored through penalties. Therefore, To Cal . king, tremble a person facial beard, to ensure that with the benefits of the elegance, our staff members could be stored through the penalties of our own criminal offenses. Our own specialties possess introduced all of us towards the gallows. It is now just a person unique present which is remaining which could conserve all of us through becoming reprimanded of our own criminal offenses. Our own specialties possess introduced all of us towards the gallows. It is now just a person unique present which is remaining which could conserve all of us through becoming reprimanded. This is the time for your event of the specialty. Generously tremble your own facial beard. Due to worry existence reach up to the lips. Make sure you conserve all of us using the unique present which is based on your own facial beard. ”
Sultan Mahmood smiled in the request as well as grew to become full of whim as well as elegance because this individual noticed their own pitiful entrance associated with remorse. This individual stated: “Each among you might have showed their unique high quality in order to this kind of level it has taken you to definitely the actual top of the glass associated with damage, other than when it comes to this. This individual acknowledged me personally since the Sultan. This individual noticed me personally within the night from the evening as well as acknowledged me personally since the Sultan. Therefore with regard to their getting acknowledged me personally, We arranged everyone totally free. Personally i think embarrassed in all those eye that acknowledged me personally to not tremble the facial beard as well as therefore display the unique high quality. ”
Training
The very first training included are these claims tale is the fact that whilst an individual is carrying out the criminal offense the real Cal . king associated with Nobleman is by using your pet, and it is completely conscious of everything this individual really does. “And He could be along with you where ever you might be. ” Whenever a individual commits any kind of disobedience in order to Allah he could be really carrying out treachery towards Your pet. Anybody who else does not work out in the responsibility in order to Allah or even within the legal rights that are because of me personally, is similar to the robber carrying out the actual burglary associated with Allah’s items. Because of this, you need to usually be aware that the actual Learn may be the see, viewing take a look at almost all occasions, and it is conscious of everything all of us perform. When we splurge any kind of disobedience or even iniquity, this means which in the really existence Their treasury has been looted as well as swindled.
Believe for any second! Who are you currently slowly destroying? Which Cal . king as well as Learn lets you know: “I feel viewing what you are. We are along with you. The regulations happen to be exposed for you. These days your own busting which legislation. These days, nowadays I am going to conceal your own problem, expecting which maybe you can come on the best street. However unless you arrived at your own sensory faculties, after that the next day when needed associated with Qiyamat whenever you is going to be introduced prior to Me personally, along with fingers certain with each other, after that that will have the ability to help you save through The frustration as well as vengeance? ”
The 2nd training using this tale is the fact that Allah will certainly penalize sinners within the hereafter even though He might at first neglect all of them nowadays. All of us observe that during the time the actual robbers had been looting the actual Regal treasury, the actual Sultan observed the whole event. This individual had been with these as well as permitted these to continue without having to be reprimanded. Yet, in the finish, he previously all of them imprisoned. In case, all the time, this particular believed is actually uppermost within our thoughts which Allah views almost all our own actions after that people may be the worry within the cardiovascular towards carrying out sins.
The 3rd training using this tale are these claims which when needed associated with Qiyamat absolutely no unique high quality is going to be associated with any kind of advantage. Dozens of actions that contravene the actual regulations associated with Allah will certainly when needed associated with Qiyamat become certain about man’s throat despite the fact that, nowadays, these were regarded as becoming unique characteristics. The actual robbers pointed out all those carefully selected presents as well as characteristics as though the actual had been characteristics associated with advantage, however in fact all those really characteristics had been the reason for their own damage:
“Each one of these showed their own unique high quality,
However all of their characteristics just triggered their own bad luck to improve. ”
Any kind of unique high quality that will not provide an individual closer to in order to their Software program, as well as that will not link the center in order to Allah, as well as that is not really a moderate towards memories associated with Allah is not any high quality associated with advantage. Plus its a remedy along with a bad luck. All of the forces as well as characteristics associated with guy that are utilized in rebellion towards Allah as well as in the direction of disobedience as well as carelessness, will certainly 1 day trigger your pet to become introduced prior to Allah like a legal. Dozens of countries that have created excellent improvement as well as via technological innovations made our planet subservient for them, however change from Allah, moving their own hails from disobedience, will certainly understand when needed associated with Qiyamat, if the specialty associated with technological improvement have been the reason for getting Allah’s elegance or even Their frustration.
“Blessed become for you the actual subjugation from the sunlight as well as celestial satellite,
However when there is absolutely no lighting within the cardiovascular there is absolutely no lighting anyplace. ”
The actual 4th training using this tale is the fact that absolutely no unique high quality is going to be of great benefit other than what prospects in the direction of realizing Allah, similar to the individual who getting observed the actual Sultan, acknowledged your pet as well as via this particular unique high quality, this individual not just stored themself however had been additionally in a position to intercede for this particular buddies. In terms of their some other buddies, their own unique high quality grew to become a way in the direction of making Allah’s penalties.
“Only the actual view from the lucky 1 had been associated with any kind of utilize
Who else acknowledged the actual Sultan throughout night associated with evening. ”
The actual training produced is the fact that our planet is similar to a location associated with night. Within the night of the globe, each and every servant associated with Allah who else comes after the actual Bright Regulations associated with Shariat as well as via the benefits identifies Allah, is going to be supplied with answer from the penalties upon hell-fire, when needed associated with Qiyamat. This particular reputation may also be a way in the direction of intercession for some other crooks, through one of the sinners from the people associated with belief. But generally there must not be any kind of satisfaction as well as more than self-confidence within this reputation. Actually you need to alternative worry as well as wish and highest humbleness plead with this intercession. After that Allah need this particular intercession through anyone who This individual desires based on Their Whim. For all those who He can not really acknowledge this particular intercession, He can within ideal proper rights display Their mind-boggling vengeance. Therefore, lucky certainly may be the individual who, on the planet, developed inside themself the data associated with realizing Allah. The actual Aarifeen (True knowers associated with Allah) who else via their own religious initiatives as well as workouts identify Allah using their spirits, will certainly the next day when needed associated with Qiyamat notice Allah as well as achieve answer. In addition their own intercession for some other sinners may also be approved. However the disbelievers as well as crooks will certainly via their own unique characteristics become accepted in to hell-fire. Upon which time these types of bad depriving types along with light encounters, patched rough clothes, who else these days are now being ridiculed as well as jeered in, will certainly banquet their own eye on the actual countenance associated with Allah. Upon which time, the actual crooks will certainly be jealous of all of them:
“Would that people experienced resided such as all of them on the planet as well as obtained their own characteristics.
Might that people experienced acknowledged Allah correctly! ”
The actual 5th training are these claims that this tale additionally shows benefit place these types of righteous as well as saintly types possess as much as their own mankind is involved. Such a shame which countries and individuals, exactly like all those robbers, invest their own brief period associated with life life searching on ways of pleasure as well as comfort and ease because unique present as well as achievement, and appear on materials improvement to be real improvement. While however, they have got followed uncouth routines such as peeing whilst position as well as cleaning on their own along with papers right after defecating. Additionally they ponder over it regular to consider the shower seated within a bathtub and permit water, that experienced turn out to be dirtied via in connection with the actual rectum to become attracted to their mouth area as well as nasal area. These people think about all those activities since the norms associated with community. May this kind of people actually be looked at to become cultured and individuals associated with improvement? Such a shame it really is that this much loved social methods for Muslims ought to be restarted which this kind of despicable methods for these folks ought to be followed.

The story of Shaykh Abdullah Al-Andalusi

This is a story filled with lessons and warning, anyone who is in a high position of academic activity or in Tasawwuf or in any other service of Deen will derive benefit and guidance from it. They will learn that it is of utmost importance for one to avoid thinking of others as being inferior to him. They should always remember the advice of Shaykh Shahabuddin Suhrawardi (rah), the spiritual guide of Shaykh Saadi (rah): “Never become self-conceited and never look down upon anyone else.”
This story takes place at a time when piety, trust and righteousness was quite prominent in the lives of the people. In every town there were numerous Ulema and pious men, especially in Baghdad, which at the time was the seat of the Islamic State. It was a gathering place for the jurists, scholars of hadith, and the saints. In this city among all these pious people, was one Abu Abdullah Al-Andalusi (rah), who had thirty khanqahs (spiritual retreats) in Baghdad. In addition he was a well-known scholar and Muhaddith and it said that the number of his disciples was 12,000. He knew 30,000 Hadith by heart, and could recite the Quran in all the various ‘Qiraats’.
On a certain occasion he was going on a journey and was accompanied with a large crowd of attendants among whom were the well-known Junayd Baghdadi (rah) and Shibli (rah). Hadrat Shibli (rah) continues the story: “Our caravan was travelling along quite nicely, safely and comfortably until we passed by an area where Christians were residing. It was already time for Salaah, but because of the unavailability of water, we had not performed it yet. When we reached the Christian village, a search was made for water. We went about the village and discovered the town had many temples, sun-worshipping altars, synagogues and churches. Some of them worshipped the sun, some were worshipping the fire, and some were directing their pleas at the cross. We passed all this and reached the outskirts of the town, where we found a well and a few girls drawing water for people to drink.”
Shaykh Abu Abdullah’s (rah) eyes fell upon one of the girls who stood out from the rest through her exquisite beauty. She was dressed in beautiful clothes and adorned in jewelry. The Shaykh (rah) asked the other girls who she was. They replied: “This is the daughter of our chief”. The Shaykh (rah) replied: “Then why did her father degrade her to such an extent that she has to sit by the well and give people water to drink?”
The girls replied: “He does not want her to sit around and be proud and boastful of her father’s possessions”. Hadrat Shibli (rah) says: “The Shaykh (rah) sat down with his head bent forward and remained silent like that for three days. At the time of Salaah he would perform his Salaah.” On the third day becoming despondent with his situation, I decided to speak to him. I said: “O Shaykh, your mureeds (disciples) are very worried and perplexed at this continued silence of yours. Please speak to us. What is the problem?”
The Shaykh (rah) replied: “My beloved friends! For how long can I keep my condition hidden from you? My heart has become filled with love for the girl we saw the day before yesterday. So much has this love filled me that it is in control of all my limbs. It is not possible for me under any circumstance to leave from here.” Hadrat Shibli (rah) replied: “Our leader! You are the spiritual guide of all Iraq. You are known for your piety, knowledge and virtues. Your disciples number over 12,000. I beg you through the Holy Quran not to disgrace us.” The Shaykh (rah) replied: “My beloved friends, your lot and my lot has already been sealed by fate. The cloak of sainthood has been removed from me and the signs of guidance have been taken away from me. What has been predestined has come to pass, now I am nothing.” Saying this the Shaykh (rah) started weeping bitterly.
When the people heard of our return, they turned up in large numbers at the outskirts of the city to come and meet the Shaykh (rah) . They saw that he was not with us and asked about it. We told them the entire story. They was a lot of sorrow and crying. Many fell down in prayer begging Allah to guide the Shaykh (rah) to the right path and return him to his former position. In the meantime all the khanqahs were closed down. We were still talking about the Shaykh’s (rah) tragedy one year later when we decided to visit that town again and find out how he was. A group of us set forth and after enquiring were told that he was in the woods looking after pigs. We said: “Allah protect us! What has happened? The villagers told us that he had proposed marriage to the daughter of the village chief. The girls father had accepted the proposal on the condition that he would look after the pigs.”
“With tears streaming down our eyes, we went to the woods where he was rearing pigs. We saw him with a string of sacred beads around his neck. He stood leaning on a staff as he watched the pigs, standing in the same way in which he stood when he used to deliver the Khutbah for us. This was like rubbing salt into our open wounds.”
When he saw us coming towards him he bent his head in shame. We came nearer and said “Assalamu Alaykum.” He replied: “Walaykumus salaam”. Then Hadrat Shibli (rah) asked: “Shaykh (rah) inspite of your knowledge and virtue what is this that has happened to you?” The Shaykh (rah) replied: “My brothers! I am now no longer driven by my own choice and will. Whatever Allah has desired for me, He has done with me. After having brought me so near to His door, He has now thrown me very far away from Him. Who is there that can overturn the decree of Allah? O my brothers, fear Allah’s power and wrath. Never become proud and arrogant regarding your knowledge and virtues. Then turning towards the heavens he said: “O my Lord, I never expected that You will make me so disgraced and despised and send me away from Your door.” Then he began crying bitterly and appealing to Allah.
Seeing the Shaykh (rah) in such hopelessness, they left for Baghdad. However on the way they saw the Shaykh (rah) in front of them coming out of a river, where he had just performed a bath. In a loud voice he said: “I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship besides Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad (sallahu alayhi wa sallam) is the Messenger of Allah” The Shaykh (rah) asked us for pure clothing to wear. He then started performing Salaah after which he was asked the reason why he was put through such an intense trial?
The Shaykh (rah) replied: “When we arrived in the village and saw the temples, synagogues and churches and we saw fire-worshippers busy worshipping things other than Allah, a pride overtook my heart. I thought that these people were so foolish to worship lifeless things. At that time I heard a voice inside me saying: ‘This Iman that you have, in not part of your virtue or good qualities. All this is merely Our favors upon you. Do not consider your faith to be of your own choosing, that you can now look down upon these people with despising eyes. And if you so wish, We will test you now.’ At that moment I felt has if a dove had left my heart and flew away. That was in fact my Imaan.”
Hadrat Shibli (rah) relates: “Thereafter our caravan arrived in Baghdad with great joy all around. All of his mureeds were extremely happy that the Shaykh (rah) had reverted to Islam. He resumed his activities in Tasawwuf, Tafseer and Hadith. The Khanqahs were reopened and in a short while, his mureeds numbered over 40,000.

Junaid Baghdadi and Love for Allah

Once at the time of Hajj, there was a gathering in Mecca of some friends of Allah; the youngest among whom was Junaid Baghdadi (ra). In that gathering, there was a discussion on the subject of ‘Love for Allah’ and as to who is the lover of Allah. Many of them expressed their views on the subject, but Junaid (ra) kept quiet. He was pressed to say something.
With his head bowed down and tears in his eyes, he said, “The lover of Allah is he who forgets his own self, remains engaged in Allah’s remembrance with due regard to all its requirements; sees Allah with the eyes of his heart, which is burnt by the heat of Allah’s fear; Allah’s remembrance affects him like a cup of wine, he speaks the word of Allah as if All-Mighty Allah speaks through his mouth; if he moves, he does so under the command of Allah; he gets peace of mind only through the obedience of Allah; and when such a stage is reached, his eating, drinking, sleeping, awakening and, in short, all his actions are for the pleasure of Allah; he neither pays heed to the worldly customs, nor does he attach any importance to unfriendly criticism by people.”
Source: islamcan.com

Only for Allah

There was a pious man among the Banu Israel who always remained busy in the worship of Allah.  A group of people came to him and told him that a tribe living nearby worshipped a tree. The news upset him, and with an axe on his shoulder he went to cut down that tree.
On the way, Satan met him in the form of an old man and asked him where he was going.  He said he was going to cut a particular tree.  Satan said, “You have nothing to be concerned with this tree, you better mind your worship and do not give it up for the sake of something that does not concern you.” “This is also worship,” retorted the worshipper. Then Satan tried to prevent him from cutting the tree, and there followed a fight between the two, in which the worshipper overpowered the Satan.
Finding himself completely helpless, Satan begged to be excused, and when the worshipper released him, he again said, “Allah has not made the cutting of this tree obligatory on you. You do not lose anything if you do not cut it. If its cutting were necessary, Allah could have got it done through one of his many Prophets.” The worshipper insisted on cutting the tree. There was again a fight between the two and again the worshipper overpowered the Satan.
“Well listen,” said Satan, “I propose a settlement that will be to your advantage.” The worshipper agreed, and Satan said, “You are a poor man, a mere burden on this earth. If you stay away from this act, I will pay you three gold coins everyday. You will daily find them lying under your pillow. By this money you can fulfil your own needs, can oblige your relative, help the needy, and do so many other virtuous things. Cutting the tree will be only one virtue, which will ultimately be of no use because the people will grow another tree.”
This proposal appealed to the worshipper, and he accepted it. He found the money on two successive days, but on the third day there was nothing. He got enraged, picked up his axe and went to cut the tree. Satan as an old man again met him on the way and asked him where he was going. “To cut the tree,” shouted the worshipper. “I will not let you do it,” said Satan. A fight took place between the two again but this time Satan had the upper hand and overpowered the worshipper.
The latter was surprised at his own defeat, and asked the former the cause of his success. Satan replied, “At first, your anger was purely for earning the pleasure of Allah, and therefore Almighty Allah helped you to overpower me, but now it has been partly for the sake of the gold
coins and therefore you lost.”
Source: From the book “Ihyaa-ul Uloom Ud Deen” by Imam Ghazzali (ra)