A Male Devotee of Allah

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THE YAQEEN OF A LAD

Sheikh Fatah Musali (rahmatullahi alayh) narrates: “I saw a minor boy walking in the wilderness. His lips were moving. I made Salaam and he responded. I asked: ‘Son! Where are you off to?’ He said: ‘I am proceeding to Baitullah.’”
Sheikh: “With which words are you moving your lips?”
Lad: “With the Qur`aan.”
Sheikh: “You are yet a minor. The laws are not yet incumbent on you.”
Lad: “I am observing that Maut is claiming even those younger than me.”
Sheikh: “Your feet are still small and the road difficult and long.”
Lad: “It is Allah’s responsibility to enable me to reach the destination.”
Sheikh: “Where are your provisions and mount?”
Lad: “Yaqeen is my provision and my feet are my mount.”
Sheikh: “I am asking about your food and water.”
Lad: “O Uncle! If a person invites you to his home, is it proper to take food along to his house?”
Sheikh: “No!”
Lad: “My King is calling His servants to His House. The weakness of their Yaqeen constrains them to take along food, while I believe this to be highly disrespectful. Do you think that He will allow me to be destroyed?”
Sheikh: “Never!”

Sheikh Fatah continues: “The lad then disappeared from my sight. I saw him again in Makkah. When our eyes met, he said: ‘O Sheikh! You are still dwelling in weakness as far as Yaqeen is concerned.’”



Orchards of Love (http://books.themajlis.net/book/view/165)

[abdul518ca]

The Respect Given to an Ant

Sheikh Shibli [ra] was once travelling through a city. He decided to buy some sugar from a local shop. When he got back home, he discovered that there was an ant crawling on top of the sugar. He though to himself, "I've seperated this little creature of Allah [swt] from it's family, who knows what type of turmoil it maybe going through right now?" He then picked up the ant, travelled to the city where he had bought the sugar from, and put it back into the shopkeeper's sack saying, "I want to re-unite it with it's family."

Such was the level of respect which our elders gave to Allah's creation. They did not deem it fair to even hurt the FEELINGS of an ant.

(Hikayat-e-Sa'adi)

[Omar HH]

The Prophet :saw:

Muhammad is the Sayyid of the two universes and the two dense kinds,
And of the two groups of people - the Arabs and non-Arabs.

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NOURISHMENT FROM THE HEAVEN FOR THE AULIYAA ON THE SILVER THREAD

Sheikh Abdullah Bin Ubaidullah Abadani (rahmatullah alayh) narrates:
“After Esha Salaat one day, I was still in the Musjid of Abadan. I observed three men sitting in the first saff. They had performed Salaat with us. They left the Musjid and went in the direction of the river. A strong feeling that they were the Auliyaa of Allah Ta`ala settled in my heart. I therefore followed them.
When they reached the river, I observed a wonderful spectacle. A thin glittering silver thread spanned across the river. They walked on it and crossed the river. When I attempted to follow, it disappeared as soon as I set foot on it. With a heavy heart I returned shedding tears.
The next morning I observed the same three Auliyaa in the first saff. They left again as they had done the previous day after staying the whole day in the Musjid. The same episode was re-enacted. The same thing happened on the third day. I realised that I was spiritually defective hence I was unable to accompany them across the river on the silver thread.
On the third night when I set foot on the silver thread, they grabbed my hand and I crossed over with them walking on the thread. When we reached the other side, four men were waiting. They were now a group of seven. I was the eighth one.
I saw descending from the heaven a cloth on which were eight fried fish. We all sat down to eat. Without thinking, I commented: ‘It would have been good if we had salt.’ They lamented and let out a sigh of grief. One of them commented: ‘You among such people!’ (i.e. People unfit to be in the ranks of the Abdaal). They disappeared and I never saw them again.”

Orchards of Love (http://books.themajlis.net/book/view/165)

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THE SLAVE WITH THREE ‘DEFECTS’

Hadhrat Ibraheem Khawwaas (rahmatullah alayh) narrates: “Once in the city of Basrah I saw a slave on sale. His master explained that the slave had the following three ‘defects’ in him: (1) He does not sleep at night. (2) He does not eat during the day.(3) He speaks only when absolutely necessary.
I said to the slave: ‘To me you appear to be an Aarif.’ The slave responded: ‘O Ibraheem! If I was an Aarif, I would never turn my attention to anyone besides Allah.’
This statement of the slave convinced me that he was an Aarif. I paid the price and purchased him, the seller remarked: ‘What are you going to do with a mad slave?’ I said in my heart: ‘O Allah! I have set this slave free for only Your Sake.’
The slave said: ‘O Ibraheem! You emancipated me from slavery here on earth. Allah has emancipated you from Jahannum in the Aakhirah.’
He suddenly disappeared from my sight. I never again saw or heard of him.”

Orchards of Love (http://books.themajlis.net/book/view/165)

[*Uzma*Amatullah*]

Subhanallah!

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Junaid Baghdadi (rahmatullah alayh)

Junaid Baghdadi earned his livelihood as a professional wrestler. As was the norm, the Leader of Baghdad announced one day, "Today, Junaid Baghdadi will demonstrate his skills as a wrestler, is there anyone to challenge him." An elderly man shakily stood up with his neck quivering and said, "I will enter the contest with him."

Whoever was witness to this scene could not contain themselves, they burst out howling with laughter, clapping their hands. The King was bound by the law. He could not stop someone who of his own free will entered the bout. The elderly man was given the permission to enter the ring. He was about sixty-five years old. When Junaid Baghdadi entered the ring, he was dumbfounded as was the King and all the spectators of the Kingdom who were present. The single thought that occupied their minds was, "How will this old man be able to fight?"

The old man addressed Junaid with these words, "Lend me your ears." He then whispered, "I know it is not possible for me to win this bout against you, but I am a Sayyid, a descendant of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). My children are starving at home. Are you prepared to sacrifice your name, your honour and position for the love of Allah's Prophet and lose this bout to me? If you do this I will be able to collect the prize money and thereby have the means to feed my children and myself for an entire year. I will be able to settle all my debts and above all, the master of both the worlds will be pleased with you. Are you, Oh Junaid, not willing to sacrifice your honour for the sake of the children of Rasulullah (peace be upon him)?"

Junaid Baghdadi thought to himself, "Today, I have an excellent opportunity."

In a display of fervour Junaid Baghdadi executed a couple of maneuvers, demonstrating his finesse so that the King does not suspect any conspiracy. Junaid with a great display of antics did not use his strength and allowed himself to be dropped. The elderly man mounted his chest thus entitling him to the prize.

That night, Junaid Baghdadi had a dream of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who said, "Oh Junaid, you have sacrificed your honour, your nationally acclaimed fame, your name and position which was heralded throughout Baghdad in the expression of your love for my children who were starving. As of today, your name is recorded in the register of the Auliya (friends of Allah)."

Thereafter, this great wrestler learnt to defeat his nafs (desires) and became one of the most eminent Auliya of his time!

Source: From the book "Tajalliat-e-Jazb" by Shaikh Hakim Muhammad Akhtar.

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Abu ‘l-Qasem al-Junaid al Baghdadi R.A cont---->

“I learned sincere belief from a barber,” Junaid R.A recalled, and he R.A told the following story.
Once when I was in Mecca, a barber was trimming a gentleman’s hair. I said to him,
“For the sake of God, can you shave my hair?”
“I can,” he said. His eyes filling with tears, he left the gentleman still unfinished.
“Get up,” he said. “When God’s name is spoken, everything else must wait.”
He seated me and kissed my head, and shaved off my hair. Then he gave me a screw of paper with a few small coins in it.
“Spend this on your needs,” he said.
I thereupon resolved that the first present that came my way I would give him in charity. Not long afterwards a bag of gold arrived from Basra. I took it to the barber.
“What is this?” he asked.
“I made up my mind,” I explained, “that the first present that came my way I must give to
you. This has just arrived.”
“Man,” he exclaimed, “have you no shame before God? You said to me, ‘For the sake of God, shave my hair.’ Then you give me a present. Have you ever known of anyone doing a deed for the sake of God and taking payment for it?”

A man brought five hundred dinars and offered them to Junaid R.A.
“Do you possess anything besides this?” Junaid R.A asked him.
“Yes, a lot,” the man replied.
“Do you need more?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Then take it away,” Junaid R.A said. “You have a better right to it. I possess nothing, and I need nothing.”

A thief had been hanged in Baghdad. Junaid R.A went and kissed his feet.
“Why did you do that?” he was asked.
“A thousand compassions be upon him!” he R.A replied. “He proved himself a true man at his trade. He did his work so perfectly, that he gave his life for it.”

There was a sayyid called Naseri who was on the pilgrimage intent. When he reached
Baghdad he went to visit Junaid R.A.
“Whence comes the sayyid?” Junaid enquired when greetings had been said.
“From Gilan,” he replied.
“Of whose sons are you?” asked Junaid R.A.
“I am descended from Ali the Prince of the Believers,
God be well pleased with him,” the man answered.
“Your forefather wielded two swords,” said Junaid R.A.
“One against the unbelievers, the other against himself. Now, sayyid, you who are his son, which of these two do you employ?”
The sayyid wept bitterly when he heard these words and grovelled before Junaid R.A.
“Master, my pilgrimage is here,” he exclaimed. “Show me the way to God.”
“Your breast is the private sanctuary of God,” said Junaid. “So far as you are able, admit naught unsanctified into the private sanctuary.”
“That is all I want to know,” said the sayyid.

One day a disciple of Shaykh Junaid R.A was at the banks of the river Euphrates when, suddenly, he spotted his Master approaching the river. He followed Shaykh Junaid R.A and, to his astonishment, watched the Shaykh approach the river and begin walking on the water, saying “Ya Allah! Ya Allah!” as he began to cross the mighty Euphrates on foot. The disciple was still dumbfounded at this miracle of his Shaykh when Shaykh Junaid, whilst walking on the water, turned around and, smiling at his disciple, called to him to follow his lead, saying ‘Just follow me and keep on repeating the words, “Ya Junaid!” as you walk on the water and you will be fine.’ Trusting in his Shaykh, the disciple began to cross the river and due to his faith he was able to walk on the water too. As he walked he kept on repeating ‘Ya Junayd’ as a litany.

When he had reached the middle of the river and the Shaykh had gone a little further, Iblis, the accursed Satan, suddenly swooped down to him and began his mendacious whisperings in the disciple’s ear. Satan said to him, “Look at the Shaykh! He is saying Allah’s name, while he asks you to commit shirk and repeat his own name! Why don’t you also trust in Allah alone and say, ‘Ya Allah!’ too?”

Having said this the accursed One disappeared. The disciple was convinced by the logic of the Devil and stopped saying the words ‘Ya Junaid’ and began to say ‘Ya Allah’ instead. As soon as he began to repeat the name of Allah, he started to sink into the water! As he was on the verge of drowning he became terrified and shouted out ‘Ya Junaid’ again. Immediately, he rose to the surface of the water and began to walk on the water again. He continued repeating Ya Junaid until he had reached the other bank of the river safely. The Shaykh had reached the river bank a few minutes before him.

When he had reached the other side of the Euphrates river he went up to Junaid of Baghdad and asked him, “O’ Shaykh what is the meaning of this? I was able to walk on the river whilst I said your name but as soon as I said Allah’s name I began to sink! And yet you yourself repeated Allah’s name whilst you crossed the river. Please explain this secret to me!’

“You are trying to reach Allah and yet you haven’t even reached Junaid yet!” replied Imam Junaid Baghdadi.

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Ibrahim Bin Adham R.A

Ibrahim Bin Adham R.A. was a handsome young prince of Khorasan. His father, a rich and powerful king, gave him everything he could possibly want. So Ibrahim R.A. had a magnificent palace to live in, the finest silks to wear, plenty of servants to obey his slightest wish, and musicians and dancers to entertain him. He had many friends too, for he had a pleasant and generous nature.
With all this Ibrahim should have been very happy, and most of the time he certainly was. But from time to time a strange and restless feeling would come over him. To escape the feeling he would normally throw a big party and invite lots of friends to come and distract him. In fact he was surrounded by people most of the time.
The young prince enjoyed hunting too. Ibrahim loved all outdoor sports, but hunting was one of his favourite pastimes. He was a good shot with the bow and arrow and enjoyed the thrill of chasing wild animals. He was also a splendid horseman and loved to ride fast and hard. The wind would blow through his hair as he would ride furiously and leave all his companions far behind. It was a rare chance for him to find a moment to himself. Then climbing up some hilly slope, he would rest his horse and look down at what seemed the whole world stretched out below him: the people, animals and houses all time specks on the landscape.
One day Ibrahim was out hunting. It was a lovely summer's day. He had left the palace and everyone far behind. The further he rode, the more carefree he felt. A head of him bounded a beautiful deer. "This creature is leading me a merry chase," thought Ibrahim, enjoying the challenge.
He had almost caught up with the deer and was about to lift his bow, and take aim. Suddenly a voice sounded close to him: "Ibrahim, was it for this that you were created? Is this the best that you can do with your life?"
Ibrahim R.A. stopped for a moment in astonishment. Then he shook himself. "I must have imagined it," he thought and set off once more after the deer.
In a very short while he had again caught up with the animal. But once again he heard the voice that stopped him in his chase. It was a little louder this time: "Ibrahim, was it for this that you were created? Is this the best that you can do with your life?"
Ibrahim dropped his arrow in amazement. He looked all around him. There was no human in sight. Only the wind whistled among the rocks."It must have been the silence," thought the prince. "It is so lonely and silent here that my imagination is playing tricks on me."
Ahead of him he could see the deer racing away. So Ibrahim gave chase once more. For the third time he came close to the deer and raising his bow and arrow he took careful aim. Now the voice sounded like thunder and it came from every side: "Ibrahim, I did not create you for this. Is this the best that you can do with your life?"
Ibrahim looked around him in wonder and awe. The hills all around echoed the voice. Again and again he heard the words, now loud, now soft: "Ibrahim, Ibrahim, Ibrahim; I did not create you for this, I did not create you for this." He put up his hands to shut out the sound, but the voice would not be ignored: "Is this the best that you can do with your life? Is this the best that you can do? Is this the best?"
"No," said Ibrahim to the wind. "I am more than a hunter," he told the earth, and threw away his bow and arrows. "I am more than the prince of Khorasan," he said to the sky. "I am a man and I will find out why God created me. I will not rest till I know the answer."
Deep in thought, Ibrahim R.A. rode back to the palace without killing the deer. His past life seemed like a dream. He now gave away his costly robes in exchange for a very plain woollen one. He said goodbye to the king and all his friends and set off on foot. When asked, he replied: "I will search the whole world if I need to, to find the reason God created me."
"Our prince has become a Sufi," said the people of Khorasan.
Ibrahim R.A. travelled from land to land, working as a gardener to earn his daily bread. Whenever he was recognised as the prince of Khorasan, he immediately left the place, for her did not want to be reminded of the life of luxury and pomp which he had left behind. For many years he meditated in desert caves. In the course of time Ibrahim Bin Adham acquired great wisdom and became a famous Sufi teacher. People came from many races and many countries to learn from him and he never turned away anyone who wanted to know the myster of God's creation.

Hazrat Sufyaan bin Ibrahim R.A says: "Once in Mecca I saw Hazrat Ibrahim bin Adham R.A, sitting and crying bitterly at a place called Mowlidun Nabi (The birth place of Nabi Sal'am). When he saw me he moved out of the way. I performed salah and then asked him: "What is the matter? What causes you to cry?" he replied: "I am well".
Twice, thrice I asked him the same question and he gave the same answer. When I persisted he said: "If I disclose to you the reason, will you keep it to yourself or will tell others?"
I answered: "You may go ahead. I will preserve your secret."
Then he said: "for thirty years now I have had the desire and urge to eat sakbaaj (a type of food that has meat, vinegar and fruit in it) but by way of punishing myself (mujahada) I never ate it.
One night while asleep I dreamt and saw a handsome young man with a green bowl in his hand from which steam came and I got the fragrant smell of Sakbaaj. Seeing that my heart desired to partake of it, but I withheld myself therefrom. The young man said to me: "O Ibrahim, take this and eat."
I replied: "No, I shall not; because the thing that I have left aside for Allah's sake, I shall not eat now."
When he said that, I could not reply in any way and I burst out in tears. Then he again said: "May Allah have mercy on you. Eat of this."
I replied: "We have been commanded not to eat anything until such a time that we know for sure what it is made of and from where it is."
He said: "May Allah protect you. Eat this. It was given to me by Ridhwaan, the Keeper of Paradise who said to me: "O Khidhar, take this and feed Ibrahim of it."
I had difficulty in preventing myself from eating. Then he insisted: "O Ibrahim, how is it that Allah feeds you and you still refuse without having asked for something he shall receive nothing at that time when he does ask for it.
Then I said: "If that is the case, then I am ready to eat even though I have never before broken my agreement (with himself not to eat Sakbaaj)."
Just then another youth appeared and said to Hazrat Khidhar A.S.: "Take the food in your hand and feed him." He then fed me with his own hand and when I awoke, I still tasted the food in my mouth and found the color of saffron on my lips. Then I went to the well of Zamzam and rinsed my mouth but neither did the taste leave my mouth nor did saffron color disappear,
Hazrat Sufyan R.A. says: "When I looked I still found the signs present as explained.
I prayed to Allah: "O Allah, who feeds such people who curb their desire; O Allah who had made it obligatory for his friends (Awliya) that their hearts remain pure; O Thou who has quenched the thirst of those whose hearts are filled with Thy love; do grant to this servant, Sufyan, the same that Thou had granted to Ibrahim. Then I lifted his hands above his head and said: "O Allah, through the blessings of this hand its master (Ibrahim), through the blessings of the rank which he holds with Thee, grant also Thy favors to Sufyaan who id ever so much in need thereof. O Merciful Lord! Grant this out of Thy Mercy even though I may not be worthy thereof."

Another story is told about Hazrat Ibrahim bin Adham R.A. that when he once performed Haj, he saw a very handsome young man, whose beauty amazed everybody. Hazrat Ibrahim R.A. looked at him carefully and then started weeping.
Some people, seeing this thought that Hazrat Ibrahim R.A. had fallen in love with the youth and said in consternation: "To Allah do we belong, and to Him is our return."
"Allah forbid, the Shaikh had fallen prey to base desires."
Once of them said to the Shaikh: "O Sir, what kind of look is this accompanied with the crying?"
The Shaikh replied: " I have made a covenant with Allah which I cannot break, otherwise I would have called this youth to me to meet him. He is my own son, the coolness of my eyes. I had left him when he was still a very young child. Now he has become a young man as you yourself see. I feel ashamed before Allah that I should return to that which I had left aside for His sake."
Then the Shaikh read some lines.
"Since the time that I have recognized Allah as my love, I have not seen anyone save Him wherever I look. Indeed am I jealous that my eyes should see anyone but Him, the end of my treasure, the goal of my life. My priceless One, May Thy love abide with me. Till the day I am raised from the dead." Then the Shaikh said to that person: 'Go to that boy and greet him on my behalf. Perhaps that will be a consolation."
The person went and said to the boy after greeting him: "May Allah bless you father."
The boy replied: " Dear Uncle, where is my father now? Since my youth he has left in the path of Allah. If only I can see him once, then I may as well die having met him."
Then the boy wept so bitterly that his breath almost stopped and he repeated: "By Allah, if only I can see him once and then die."
Then he read a few lines.
The person returned and found Hazrat Ibrahim R.A. in sujood. He had cried so much that the ground under his face soaked with his tears. After he had lifted up his face, he read two couplets;
"O Allah, for You have I discarded the whole world. And to see You have I made orphans of my children. And if You do not help me in the needs of my love, this heart shall not find peace in any place save with You."
When Hazrat Ibrahim R.A. was asked to pray for this son of his, he said: "May Allah protect his youth from falling into sin and assist him to walk the path of His pleasure."

Hazrat Ibrahim bin Ad'ham R.A. said to a man during the tawaaf; 'Remember dear brother, you shall never be counted among the righteous ones until you have crossed six bridges.
Firstly, that you close the door of favors on yourself and open the door of hardship for yourself. Secondly, that you refrain from love of honor and prefer humility. Thirdly, that you refrain from comfort and accept hardship. Fourthly, that you discard love of sleep and enforce on yourself love of remaining awake for ibaadah. Fifthly, that you discard riches and prefer poverty. Sixthly, that you disassociate yourself from hoping and prepare for death."

[VeiledOne]

ABU AMIR AND THE LETTER OF LOVE

Abu Amir Waa-iz (rahmatullahi alayh) narrates:
“Once when I was in Musjidun Nabawi, a man handed me a letter, the contents of which were as follows:
‘Brother! May Allah Ta`ala bestow to you the wealth of fikr (reflection) and the affection of ibrat (i.e. to take lesson). May He bestow success to you in the love of khalwat (solitude) and keep you ever alert against ghaflat (indifference, obliviousness).
O Abu Amir! I am one of your Brethren of Tariqat. I have been informed of your blessed arrival. This has delighted me. I am extremely delighted. If my eagerness could be transformed into physical shape it will form an umbrella above me. If it had to form under me, it would lift me. I implore you in the Name of Allah! Do not deprive me of the honour of kissing your noble feet. Was-salaam.’

After reading the letter, I accompanied the man. We walked on until we reached a very large dilapidated house in Quba. He requested me to wait outside while he entered to announce my arrival. He came back and told me to enter. The inside of the house was in a greater state of dilapidation than the exterior. Doors made of date-branches were fitted on the entrances.

I soon saw a very old man sitting in the direction of the Qiblah. Age and weakness had reduced him to a stalk. Fear and bewilderment permeated his being. Sorrow and grief were written on his blessed face. I went close to him and made Salaam. Observing him carefully, I discerned that he was blind and lame. Furthermore, he was the victim of a number of illnesses. Perceiving my presence, he said: ‘Abu Amir! May Allah Ta`ala maintain your heart pure from the pollution of sins. The flames of eagerness to meet you and listen to your blessed words of love have been consuming me. My heart suffers from an ailment. All physicians (spiritual doctors) have failed to cure it. I have heard that you have a life-saving balm. For the sake of Allah give me that elixir of life. I shall be patient regardless of its bitterness.’”

Abu Amir continues:
‘The talk of the aged man cast a fearful and shocking concern in me. After reflecting for a long while, the subtleties of his words dawned on me. I then said: ‘O Sheikh! Turn the vision of your heart for a while to the Angelic realm as well as your ears of Ma`rifat. Incline the Haqeeqat (Reality) of your Imaan towards Jannatul Ma`waa. The bounties and treasures which The True Benefactor has prepared for His Auliyaa will then be in front of you (i.e. their forms will be made manifest).
Thereafter turn your attention momentarily towards Jahannum. You will then observe the punishment and calamities Allah Ta`ala has in store for the evil ones.’

The Sheikh was shedding tears in profusion. He said: ‘Abu Amir! By Allah! Your medicine has benefitted me. I believe with conviction that your medicine will cure me. May Allah Ta`ala shroud you in the clouds of His Mercy.’
I said: ‘O Sheikh! Allah Ta`ala is aware of your secrets. He sees you in privacy and in public.’
The Sheikh let out a cry and explained: ‘Who can remove my poverty? Who can eliminate my starvation? Who can forgive my errors. O My Maula! Only You fulfill needs and only You are The Abode of Safety.’

The Sheikh then fell over. When I examined him, I discovered that he had departed from this world. May Allah have mercy on him.

A young girl donning a woollen dress and orni (head-scarf) approached. Her forehead glittered with the impression of Sujood (prostration). Fear of Allah had made her complexion exceedingly pale. She said: ‘O Balm of the hearts of the Aarifeen! O Igniter of the flames of Divine Passion! Congratulations! You have truly achieved a wonderful accomplishment. Your effort is acceptable by Allah Ta`ala. This Sheikh is my father. He has become lame performing Salaat for the past twenty years in this state (of Divine Love), and he lost his vision as a result of his abundant crying. He always supplicated to Allah Ta`ala to fulfill his yearning to meet you. He had said that once he had attended your gathering and you had instilled life in his dead heart. You had banished his ghaflat. He had also said: ‘If I should again listen to his talk, it would kill me.’ May Allah Ta`ala reward you wonderfully.’

Then she kissed her father’s forehead and shed tears in abundance. I said to her: ‘Why are you crying so much? Your father has journeyed to the Abode of Reward. He has seen the rewards of his righteous deeds.’

The girl screamed like her father and perspired profusely. Within a few moments, she too had traversed beyond the frontiers of this earthly abode. I performed the Janaaza Salaat for both.”

Orchards of Love (http://books.themajlis.net/book/view/165)

[VeiledOne]

THE SLAVE WHO WAS THE NOOR OF SOLACE

Abdul Waahid Bin Zaid (rahmatullah alayh) had purchased a slave. During the night he called the slave, but found him missing. The doors and windows were all closed and locked as he had left them. In the morning the slave mysteriously appeared and handed his master a silver coin (dirham) on which was inscribed Surah Ikhlaas. When Hadhrat Abdul Waahid asked him about the dirham, the slave said: “I shall give you such a dirham everyday on condition that you do not call me during the night.”
The master accepted. Every morning thereafter, the slave presented a dirham to Hadhrat Abdul Waahid.
Many days thereafter, his neighbour came and said: “Sell your slave. He is a kafan-thief.” The neighbour said that the slave was seen entering graves, hence it was assumed that he stole the kafans of the dead. Hadhrat Abdul Waahid was extremely grieved. He decided to follow the slave that night and discover the truth. Continuing the story, he says:
“After Esha Salaat when the slave decided to leave, I saw to my utter amazement the closed door open up at a sign made by him. When he made another sign, the door closed. He passed through three doors of the house in this manner. I was observing him closely from a vantage point in concealment. When he reached outside, I followed. We walked on until we arrived in a plain. He removed his clothes and donned a simple garment of rough sack cloth. Soon he was engrossed in Salaat until Fajr. After completing his Salaat, he raised his face towards the heaven, and made dua: ‘O my Great Master! Give me the wage for my small master.’
As he supplicated, a dirham fell from above and landed by him. He put the dirham in his pocket. I was astonished and bewildered and was overcome with awe and fear. I made wudhu and performed two rak`ats. I sought forgiveness from Allah Ta`ala for the suspicion I had entertained about him and I resolved to set him free.
When I looked, I saw that he had disappeared. I was now extremely concerned. I did not know where I was. I could not recognize the wilderness where I was standing. Suddenly I saw a man on a green horse approaching. He said: ‘O Abdul Waahid! Why are you sitting here today?’ I explained what had transpired. He asked: ‘Do you know the distance this place is from your city?’ I said: ‘I know nothing.’ He said: ‘For a man on a fast horse, it will take two years to reach your city. But remain here. Tonight your slave will return to this place.’ The horseman disappeared.
That night my slave appeared suddenly. A cloth with a variety of dishes appeared. The salve said: ‘O master, eat! In future do not do so.’ I ate. The slave remained performing Salaat until the morning. Then taking hold of my hand, he recited a glorious Name of Allah (Ism - e - A`zam) which I could not make out. He walked with me a few steps. To my amazement I was standing at the entrance of my home. He then said: ‘ O my master! Did you not resolve to set me free?’
I said: ‘That is still my intention.’
The Slave: ‘ In lieu of the price you had paid for me, emancipate me. You will also be rewarded in the Aakhirah.’

He picked up a stone and gave it to me. When I took it, it was gold. The slave departed leaving me with a broken heart.
My neighbour came to me and asked: ‘What have you decided about your kafan-thief slave?’
I said: ‘Beware! He is not a kafan-thief. He is a celestial light of solace.’
I narrated the miracles of the slave to the neighbours. They all cried abundantly and repented.”

Orchards of Love (http://books.themajlis.net/book/view/165)

[Sadiq]

Keep up the good work.

As Ibn Jawzee relates; " The mercies of Allah descends upon those occasions when the virtues of His saleh (pious) servants are related"

Let us follow those who should be followed, take heed.

[haqq]

HADHRAT ABU MUHAMMAD JA'FAR SAADIQ (rahmatullah alayh)

One night Khalifah Mansur said to his wazir (prime minister):
"Bring Saadiq to me. I want to slay him."
Wazir: "Do you wish to slay a man who has renounced the world; who has adopted solitude; who is engrossed in the worship of Allah and who has no worldly designs?"

Expressing his annoyance, the Khalifah said: "Go! Bring him so that I could slay him." Inspite of the wazir's pleas, the Khalifah remained adamant. Finally the wazir was constrained to summon Hadhrat Ja'far Saadiq (rahmatullah alayh). Meanwhile Mansur ordered his guards to kill Hadhrat Ja'far on his arrival. When the Khalifah removed his crown from his head it will signal the moment for slaying Hadhrat Ja'far.

When Hadhrat Ja'far appeared, the Khalifah stood up in respect. With great honour and humility he welcomed Hadhrat Ja'far. In fact, he ran forward to greet Hadhrat Ja'far. He brought Hadhrat Ja'far to sit on the royal stage. The guards were greatly surprised by the reverence and honour which Mansur showed to Hadhrat Ja'far. The Khalifah said to Hadhrat Ja'far: "Is there any thing you need?"
Hadhrat Ja'far: "Do not inconvenience me again by calling me. Leave me to worship Allah."
Mansur allowed Hadhrat Ja'far to leave with utmost respect.

After the departure of Hadhrat Saadiq, the Khalifah began to shiver uncontrollably and fell down unconscious. He remained unconscious for three days. According to some, he was unconscious for the duration of three Salaat which became qadhaa.

When the Khalifah regained conscious, the wazir asked for an explanation. The Khalifah said:
"When Saadiq entered, a huge serpent was at his side. The one jaw of the serpent was touching the ground and the other jaw, the ceiling. The serpent was implying to me: 'If you harm him I shall swallow you along with the whole stage."
As a result of the fear for the serpent, the Khalifah did not know what he was saying or doing. He said: "I apologized and became unconscious."

Read more about him here (http://www.sunniforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5578)

[VeiledOne]

HADHRAT IBRAHEEM KHAWWAAS AND THE JINN

Hadhrat Ibraheem Khawwaas (rahmatullahi alayh) narrates: “Once when I was on a Hajj journey, a strong urge in my heart constrained me to break away from the caravan. I left the main road and continued the journey walking. I walked continuously for three days and nights. I neither thought of food nor water. I did not even have any other need. Ultimately, I came upon an extremely luxurious and dense forest. Everything was green. Fruit trees and fragrant flowers were in abundance. There was a small pond of clear water. I said to myself: ‘This is Jannat.’ I was indeed amazed.

While I was in this state of bewilderment, I saw a group of people approaching. They were adorned in beautiful and shining garments. They came and surrounded me. All made Salaam to me. In response, I said: ‘Wa Alaikumus Salaam wa rahmatullahi wa Barakaatuhu.’ The thought of these people being jinn crossed my mind.
One of the group addressing me said: ‘We have a dispute on a particular question. We are a community of jinn. We had heard the sacred Kalaam of Allah Ta`ala from Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). On the night of Uqbah we were honoured to be in his blessed presence. The blessed talk of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) has separated us from all worldly affairs. Allah Ta`ala has bestowed this abode in the forest for us.’

I asked: ‘How far is this place from my companions?’ Hearing this, they smiled. One of them said: ‘O Abu Is`haq! This place is among the wonders and mysteries of Allah Ta`ala. Besides one human being, no one has ever come here. That man was among your companions. He came here and died here. Look! That is his qabr.’
He pointed towards the qabr. The qabr was on the banks of the lake inside a beautiful garden of exotic flowers which I had never seen before. The jinn said: ‘The distance between you and your companions is so many (months or years?).’ [ The narrator of this episode could not remember the number of months or years which Ibraheem Khawwaas had mentioned].

Hadhrat Ibraheem Khawwaas asked the jinn to explain the story of the young man who lies buried in the grave. One of them said: ‘We were sitting here by the lake discussing about Divine Love when suddenly a man appeared and made Salaam to us. We responded to his Salaam and asked where he came from. He said that he came from Nishapur. When we asked him how long it took him to reach here, he said, seven days. We asked the reason for his journey. He said that he had heard the Kalaam of Allah, viz.:



“Turn towards your Rabb (i.e. inaabat) and submit (Islam) to Him before there comes to you the punishment, for then you will not be aided.”

We asked for the meanings of inaabat, Islam and athab in the context of this Aayat. He explained: ‘Inaabat means to turn away from yourself and become obedient to Him. Tasleem is to surrender your life to Him, and to understand that Allah is more entitled to your life than you.’
When he was about to explain athab, he let out a chilling scream and died. We then buried him here. May Allah be pleased with him.’”

Ibraheem Khawwaas continues: “I went to his qabr. At the head-side grew dense bushes of beautiful flowers. On a tablet was inscribed:
‘This is the qabr of Allah’s friend.
Love killed him.’

On a page I found there was written the meaning of inaabat. I read and explained it to the jinn. They were very pleased and said that they now received a satisfactory answer to their question. I then became drowsy and fell into a deep sleep. When my eyes opened, I discovered that I was near to Musjid-e-Aisha (in Tan`eem). I still had petals of those flowers. They remained fragrant for a whole year. The petals thereafter disappeared mysteriously.”

Orchards of Love (http://books.themajlis.net/book/view/165)

[VeiledOne]

subhanallah.

---------

humble request to all contributors to this thread and the 'female devotee...' one...please include the references for each story at the bottom of each post.
jazakamullah khayran

So sorry about that. I did include the main ref. in the first post of each thread and thought each post didn't need the ref. unless I was using a different source. I'll go back and edit :insh: and include the sources at the end of each post.

[nik61]

:salam:
MashAllah, a good read. Are there anymore of these stories?

MashAllah indeed. Go here brother for more stories:
http://books.themajlis.net/node/165

May the lives of the Awliya be a beacon for us to walk the straight path and struggle to remain on it. Amin.