Allah loves the doers of that which is good and beautiful

  بِسْمِ اللّهِ الرَّحْمـَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

 

And persevere in doing what is best and most beautiful: behold, Allah loves the doers of that which is good and beautiful ! part of 2:195

While sailing across a large body of water, Maʿrūf Karkhī and his students found their peace disrupted by a lively group of youths on the same boat. Reveling in the rhythm of their music and the haze of wine, the young men presented a stark contrast to the tranquil demeanor of the saint and his followers. The more they drank the more noise they started to make, and with the tambourines and the singing, the students of Ma'ruf started to get annoyed. 

They talked amongst each other, ''They disobey God openly! Let us request our shaykh to pray to Allah to punish them!’. One of them went up to the saint and asked him to do a prayer against them, hoping that they get struck by lightning, or drown or something. Ma’ruf, ever the embodiment of calm, asked them to join in with him as he prayed for them, which they readily agreed. However to their surprise, he prayed:

 ‘My Allah, make them as joyful in the Hereafter as you make them joyful and merry in this world!’"

The sentiment left Ma’ruf's students bewildered. They asked: 'We hoped that you will pray for their punishment, instead you are praying for their happiness in the Hereafter?' This sentiment reflected that being close with the Shaykh had not yet benefited them in realizing that the ultimate role of the human being is to be a manifestation of Divine Character, and one of the most beautiful characters is that of Cmpassion and Mercy. 

News of this act of Ma'ruf spread throughout the boat. Some of the youth realized that they are the focus of the attention of the people in the boat and started asking around as to what the saint and the disciples were talking about. Once they heard what had happened, it resonated deeply with them. A realization dawned upon them about the depth of Divine Compassion. Feeling a sudden introspection, they set aside their drinks, laid down their instruments, and approached the sage with humility.

To his disciples, Ma’ruf remarked, "Your hearts' wishes have been met, yet not a soul was harmed."


Through this encounter, the youths discovered that true contentment lay not in fleeting distractions but in sincere reflection and connection to the Divine. And Ma’ruf's students learned a more nuanced lesson: to be on a spiritual path does not signify its completion. One must aspire for universal salvation and compassion, extending it even to those who appear to diverge from the path.