بِسْمِ اللّهِ الرَّحْمـَنِ الرَّحِيمِ
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.
