Hold fast to the rope of Allah

  بِسْمِ اللّهِ الرَّحْمـَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

 

Overshadowed by ignominy are they wherever they may be, save [when they bind themselves again] in a bond with God and a bond with men ! part of 3:112

In a distant town bordered by the desert, tales of a notorious highwayman spread like wildfire. This robber, together with his gang of bandits, preyed on caravans, pilfering wealth and leaving tales of dismay in his wake.

One day, this group ambushed a particularly noteworthy caravan. They seized everything, from gold and silver to garments and horses. Among the looted possessions were the life's work of a revered scholar of Islam. Gold, garments, and more were seized, but the scholar’s heart ached for his invaluable manuscripts and books. Driven by his love for knowledge and the value he placed on his works, he decided to track down the highwayman's hideout and retrieve his cherished books.

His journey led him, against all odds, to the highwaymen's camp. Rather than attacking him, they surprisingly welcomed him and offered him a seat at their fireside. As the aroma filled the air and conversations flowed, the scholar noticed the leader abstaining from the brew. Curiosity piqued, the scholar questioned, "Why don't you drink the coffee?"

The leader looked to the heavens and responded, "I am fasting."

Surprised, the scholar retorted, "You plunder and commit grave sins, yet you observe an optional fast. What good do you hope it brings?"

The leader sighed deeply. "It's my rope, my effort to maintain a connection, however fragile, to Allah. This thin rope might be my salvation. Perhaps, someday, He might pull me out of the abyss and He might guide me back to the right path."

Saying this he gave the scholar his books and sent him on his way without further incident.

Years later, the scholar undertook a pilgrimage to Mecca. In the midst of the sea of believers, he spotted a man with a radiant aura, deeply engrossed in prayer, clutching the kiswah of the Kaaba. Intrigued, the scholar approached and was astounded to recognize the face. It was the leader of the highwaymen, but this time his visage bore no signs of crim, only profound peace, and his aura now spoke of redemption and grace.

The scholar inquired, his voice thick with astonishment, "How did you find yourself here?"

The former leader of the bandits, his face alight with joy and humility, responded, "The thin rope of Allah. It led me to repentance and pulled me from darkness to light. Now I serve the very souls I once harmed."

The metamorphosis of the highwayman underscores the infinite grace and benevolence of Allah, illustrating that salvation is perpetually at hand, regardless of the frailty of our ties. It reminds us to continually forge bonds with the Divine, valuing every act of goodness, no matter how minor, and always striving to absolve ourselves of transgressions.