Striver
13-04-2005, 03:34 PM
A Thorny Tree
Hazrat Maulana Jalaluddeen Rumi (Rahmatullahi ‘alaih) has related a story in his Mathnawi Sharif, which contains great lessons for all of us.
The story goes that a person had planted a thorn tree. He was told that the thorn tree was a hindrance and an obstacle since it was causing harm and injury to the people that passed by. The person promised to uproot the tree, saying : ‘I will do so tomorrow.’
Despite the complaints of the people, many ‘tomorrows’ came and many ‘tomorrows’ went by, and no effort was made in uprooting the thorn tree. Eventually, after many years, the tree, having taken root deeply, grew in strength. The matter was finally taken to the municipality and the person was ordered to remove the tree.
Having no option, he set off to fulfil the task. However, with the passing of time, he had aged and weakness had set in. On the other hand, the tree had become so strong and firmly rooted that there was no scope of him uprooting such a big tree. Due to his weakness, he could not do anything.
The only way this thorn tree could be uprooted and removed was via a bulldozer. The bulldozer was his only means of ridding the path of the harmful thorn tree.
Of course, this is just a story to give lesson. The lesson derived is that if sins are not given up when they are ‘young’, then the roots of these sins sink deeper and deeper, entrenching themselves in the heart. As such, they gain in strength, and a person fails in ridding his life of the thorn tree of his sins.
As a result, it becomes extremely difficult for him to uproot the tree of his sins. A greater Mujahada (striving) would be required from the person. He requires a greater amount of effort to restrain himself from Haraam.
However, as has been mentioned, with the aid of a bulldozer, the thorn tree would be removed. …And what, we may ask, is this bulldozer?
These bulldozers are the Ahlullah. Allah Ta’ala has given them such hearts, which contain such noor or light of Taqwa or piety, that in their company, people who have indulged in sins all their lives, will be able to, with ease, rid themselves of even major sins.
In the company of those who are true Ahlullah, sins of a lifetime will be uprooted. Those who were committing sins for 20 years and 30 years, will find the panacea for their spiritual illnesses.
A person should thus take courage and seek the assistance of the Ahlullah, and see the transformation that takes place with the Grace of Allah Ta’ala.
There are, however, conditions to be met.
§ We should have love and respect for the Ahlullah, and we should keep their company, without prejudice.
§ We should sit with the intention of reformation, with an open heart and mind.
If we attend such gatherings with these accompanying conditions, then we will leave with Noor in our hearts. It is via this Noor that such persons make sincere Taubah or repentance, and it is this Noor which is instrumental in creating the keen desire of change in their lives.
Ma'aarif-e-mathnavi.
Hazrat Maulana Jalaluddeen Rumi (Rahmatullahi ‘alaih) has related a story in his Mathnawi Sharif, which contains great lessons for all of us.
The story goes that a person had planted a thorn tree. He was told that the thorn tree was a hindrance and an obstacle since it was causing harm and injury to the people that passed by. The person promised to uproot the tree, saying : ‘I will do so tomorrow.’
Despite the complaints of the people, many ‘tomorrows’ came and many ‘tomorrows’ went by, and no effort was made in uprooting the thorn tree. Eventually, after many years, the tree, having taken root deeply, grew in strength. The matter was finally taken to the municipality and the person was ordered to remove the tree.
Having no option, he set off to fulfil the task. However, with the passing of time, he had aged and weakness had set in. On the other hand, the tree had become so strong and firmly rooted that there was no scope of him uprooting such a big tree. Due to his weakness, he could not do anything.
The only way this thorn tree could be uprooted and removed was via a bulldozer. The bulldozer was his only means of ridding the path of the harmful thorn tree.
Of course, this is just a story to give lesson. The lesson derived is that if sins are not given up when they are ‘young’, then the roots of these sins sink deeper and deeper, entrenching themselves in the heart. As such, they gain in strength, and a person fails in ridding his life of the thorn tree of his sins.
As a result, it becomes extremely difficult for him to uproot the tree of his sins. A greater Mujahada (striving) would be required from the person. He requires a greater amount of effort to restrain himself from Haraam.
However, as has been mentioned, with the aid of a bulldozer, the thorn tree would be removed. …And what, we may ask, is this bulldozer?
These bulldozers are the Ahlullah. Allah Ta’ala has given them such hearts, which contain such noor or light of Taqwa or piety, that in their company, people who have indulged in sins all their lives, will be able to, with ease, rid themselves of even major sins.
In the company of those who are true Ahlullah, sins of a lifetime will be uprooted. Those who were committing sins for 20 years and 30 years, will find the panacea for their spiritual illnesses.
A person should thus take courage and seek the assistance of the Ahlullah, and see the transformation that takes place with the Grace of Allah Ta’ala.
There are, however, conditions to be met.
§ We should have love and respect for the Ahlullah, and we should keep their company, without prejudice.
§ We should sit with the intention of reformation, with an open heart and mind.
If we attend such gatherings with these accompanying conditions, then we will leave with Noor in our hearts. It is via this Noor that such persons make sincere Taubah or repentance, and it is this Noor which is instrumental in creating the keen desire of change in their lives.
Ma'aarif-e-mathnavi.