Learn Servitude

بِسْمِ اللّهِ الرَّحْمـَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

Behold, God has bought of the believers their lives and their possessions, promising them paradise in return..... 9:111

Learn Servitude

We have mentioned the famous Georgian slave Malik Ayaz who was a  close confidante of Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni in a blog post some time back. Their relationship has enamored many a writer and many a poet over the years, inspiring cultural ballads, stories, and poems, written by the likes of Iqbāl, ʿAṭṭār et al.

Mostly, the stories revolve around his undying love and devotion to his master, and sometimes about his wit and also how the Sultan requited this love and devotion. It is very difficult to separate fact from legend, but based on several sources, we compiled the story of his initial encounter and initial time with the Sultan, in context of the verse mentioned above.

Ayaz's master was in dire straits and was in desperate need of money, and even selling all his assets would not guarantee him the amount he needed.  Ayaz suggested that the master sell him at a hundred thousand dirhams (normal price being a few hundred dirhams), with the claim that "Ayaz truly knows servitude".

At that scandalous asking price,  Ayaz remained unsold.  But the news of this price went viral and reached the ears of the Sultan.

Being curious, the Sultan summoned him and asked "What does this claim mean?". Ayaz replied, "“If you set your crown on my head and offer me a seat on your throne and place seven countries under my command make me the master of the whole world, I will still never fall into error about myself and will never forget that I am your slave”. "

Hearing this, the Sultan paid the price, with the intent to test the claim.  Buying Ayaz for a hundred thousand dirhams, he brought him to the palace and ordered someone to start lashing him.  Ayaz bore it silently. Upon being asked why he doesn't plead for mercy, or at least ask why he is being flogged, Ayaz replied "My master knows how best to treat me". Impressed, the Sultan stopped the punishment and asked "What would you like to eat, and what clothes would you like to wear?". Ayaz replied "Whatever my master sees fit to provide me with !" Over a period of time, this attitude endeared him to the Sultan, but Ayaz kept outdoing himself in his love and devotion.

Once the king and all the courtiers were camping outdoors and a bird (huma) passed over them. Everyone ran to approach the bird, as their superstition was that whoever the huma casts a shadow on, will become the next king. Only Ayaz remained by the side of the king, saying "My place is under the shadow of my king."

The Sultan was really pleased with Ayaz and placed him on the throne putting a crown on his head:“I give you sovereignty. The army is yours. You should now behave like a king”. Ayaaz started weeping for what the king has done. The courtiers were aghast: “You just became a king, what is all this weeping for? Ayaaz replied: “ Don't you realize that the king is casting me out, far from himself? Even if he would give me the kingdom of the world, I would not be absent from his side for a single moment. My kingdom lies in being in his company”.

This, and many other stories indicate that Ayaz truly knew servitude. And perhaps we can learn from him.

Do consider Allah as better than you or at least at par

بِسْمِ اللّهِ الرَّحْمـَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

[But as for you, O believers,] never shall you attain to true piety unless you spend on others out of what you cherish yourselves; and whatever you spend - verily, God has full knowledge thereof.  3:92

Do consider Allah as better than you or at least at par

There is a well known story from Baluchistan whereby there was a Sufi saint, Pir Pathan living in the hills. A very pious and knowledgeable man.  Once a young man from the town wanted to go pay a visit and maybe learn something. So he undertook this long arduous journey, starting off quite early in the morning, till he reached the abode of the saint just before maghrib prayers.

After washing up, praying and having refreshments, he approached the saint and said:
"Advise me O wise one !"
The saint, as is the way of the mysterious lovers of God, gave a cryptic advice:
"My son, do consider Allah as better than you. If you cannot do that, at least consider Him at par with yourself."
The youth was rather disappointed in this reply, as he was hoping to learn something valuable, or some secret knowledge.  He thought: "Who will ever consider himself as better or even equal to Allah?"

 Sensing the youth's disappointment, the saint said:
"My son, do hold on tight to this advice. Please. Do consider Allah as better than you. If you cannot do that, at least consider Him at par with yourself."

The youth decided there and then that this was a waste of time, and wanted to return home, but the saint asked him to stay the night and leave the next morning.

Early next morning, someone from the saint's family or disciples brought him breakfast at the place where he was staying. It was a strange breakfast. There were two portions of exquisite fresh bread, with butter, and honey. And two portions of dry stale bread, with some leftover curry. The youth was wondering. Before he started eating, he heard a voice:

"For the sake of Allah, please give me some food, I haven't eaten in several days."

Without any hesitation, the youth gave the person the bread and curry, and resumed his breakfast of bread with butter and honey.

The youth, grateful for the hospitality, went to take leave of the saint, when the saint grabbed his hand and said:
"Do hold on tight to what I said. Never forget my advice."

This really was the last straw for the youth so he retorted:
"Your hospitality is fine and all, but I feel that you are really saying something impolite in this advice. Who on earth will dare to think otherwise? Of course Allah is better than us."

Hearing this, the saint wept:
"O selfish one!  If you really considered Allah better than you, wouldn't you have given the fresh bread and butter and honey to the hungry man, and kept the stale bread for yourself? O ignorant one, if you considered Allah at par with you, wouldn't you have at least given one fresh and one stale bread, and kept the other portion for yourself? Instead, what did you do? You kept the best meal for yourself and offered stale food to the one who asked for the sake of Allah. You did not follow my advice even for a day"

Be kind to people, for your Lord is Kind

بِسْمِ اللّهِ الرَّحْمـَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

Part of Al-Baqarah (The Cow) - 2:143....behold, God is most compassionate towards people, a Dispenser of Grace"


Be kind to people, for your Lord is Kind

A Muslim must be kind. Those whose Lord is named ٱلْرَّحْمَـٰنُ (’Ar-Raḥmaān/The Most Gracious) and ٱلْرَّحِيْمُ(’Ar-Raḥīm/The Most Merciful) , and whose Prophet(ﷺ), is the Prophet(ﷺ) who was not sent except as رَحْمَةً لِّلْعَالَمِينَ (Mercy to the worlds), can they be anything other than kind?

A story is narrated by Shaykh Mukhtar Al-Kunti in his book Fath al-Wadud, page 358-359:

It is mentioned that once an idolater became a guest of Ibrahim (عليه السلام), (and before providing him with food), the prophet realized that he was an idolator and thus sent him off.  Angel Gabriel(عليه السلام) appeared  and said  to Ibrahim (عليه السلام),  "I  bring  the greeting of peace from your Lord, who asks you, 'Why did you turn away my servant?'"

Ibrahim (عليه السلام) replies, "Because he was an idolater/polytheist."

"God asks you, 'Did you create him or did I ?'"

Ibrahim (عليه السلام) replies, “Of course, You (God) created him.”

"God asks you, 'Was his disbelief in Me or in you?'"

Ibrahim (عليه السلام)  responds, “His disbelief was in You.”

"God asks you, 'Did you provide for him all these years or was I?'"

Ibrahim (عليه السلام),  “Indeed, You  are  my  provider  as well as his.”

"God asks, ‘Did He create that disbelief in his heart, or did you create it in him and nurture it?'"

Ibrahim (عليه السلام) says,  “No, You did.”

"God  asks  you  whether  his  disbelief  harms him or does it harm you?"

Ibrahim (عليه السلام) replies,  "No, it harmed him."

"God says, 'If that is the case, then why did you deprive My servant, and your brother? For he is in one of two possible conditions: either he is condemned to be fuel for the Fire and the object of My wrath,  or I can forgive him and make him among those who are my beloveds and grant him peace in the abode of My Mercy.'"

Hearing this, Ibrahim (عليه السلام)went out in search of the man and found he was now fearful of him. He showed the man kindness and persuaded him into returning to his tent so that he may take care of him, and feed him. The man said, "Something has happened, as you are acting so differently towards me. Initially you refused me, and now  you  are  showing  me  kindness,  as  if  you  want  something from me."

Ibrahim (عليه السلام) said to him, “My Lord reproached me for the way I treated you.”

To  this  the  man  said,  “What  a  blessed  Lord  you  have that He should reproach His beloved friend on account of to his bad behavior toward His enemy.” He then submitted to the God of Ibrahim (عليه السلام) and worshipped with him until he died.

A similar story is mentioned in the risalah of Qushayri, although not in so much detail.