The Three Graves

One pious man describes, Once I saw three graves on a high place. In every grave there were some verses written.

On the first grave it was written: "The person who knows that one day he has to return to Allah Tala- answer for his deeds and would be rewarded or punished accordingly - How can he engage himself in the luxuries of this world?"

On the second grave it was written: "The person who believes that one day death will snatch away all his worldly belongings and all authority and make him a resident of grave - How can such person be absorb in sensual pleasures of this world to such high extent?"

On the third grave it was written: "The person who is well aware that one day it is a must that he has to reach the grave and all his youth, beauty and flesh in the body will disappear, on the reliance of what is he so engrossed in the worldly affairs so lavishly?"

Seeing this the pious man asked a Shaykh about these three graves. The Shaykh informed him that these three are the graves of three brothers. One was a soldier, one a businessman and another was a very pious and noble man. The Shaykh further described:

When the pious and noble man's death drew near, his two brothers brought a huge amount of money and asked him to make Sadaka. The noble brother replied, I do not need your money for Sadaka, however, you make a promise to me. And I hope you would keep the promise. Then he told them, After my death bury me on a high place and write these verses on my grave.
The Shaykh said, the first verses which you read are on the grave of that noble brother. The Shaykh continued, the noble brother also asked his two brothers to regularly visit his grave - at least once a day. After the death of the noble brother, his two brothers continued to do as their brother requested them to. On the third day of visiting the grave of the noble brother, his two brothers heard a very loud metallic noise. The soldier dreamt the noble brother at the very night and asked, what was that heavy sound in your grave dear brother? The noble brother replied, I was then being asked why I hadn't helped one needy, when he was oppressed.

This dream made the soldier very worried. In the morning he called his brother (the business man) and told him that he believes that the verses on their brother's grave are for teaching great lesson. The soldier resigned from his service and started absorbing him in worship of Allah Tala completely.

Then one day death of the soldier drew near. Upon the news of illness of his brother, the business man met him. He asked his ailing brother for some advice. The soldier replied, I do not have any wealth that I can make a will; however, I request you one thing. Bury me beside our brother and write these verses on my grave. The Shaykh continued, you have seen the verses on the second grave - that is the soldier's. Before the death the soldier requested his brother to visit his grave till three days regularly and asked him to make dua. After the death of the soldier, the businessman regularly started visiting the grave and on the third day he started weeping beside his brother's grave. Suddenly he heard a huge sound coming from the grave. Instantly he returned home very frightened. At night the soldier came to meet him in his dreams. The business man asked him, O dear brother have you come to meet us? The soldier replied, Is this the time to meet? I am living in my permanent residence. The business man asked his brother, How did Allah Tala receive you? The soldier replied, Allah Tala has blessed me with great pleasure. Man achieves great blessing through Tawba. The businessman asked him, where is our noble brother? The soldier replied, He is in the place of Pious Imams. The businessman asked, What should I do now? The soldier advised him, Whatever man send in the life hereafter from this world are received by him after death. Therefore, anticipate this life as valuable.

In the morning the business man woke up and made Tawba from all his sins. He then gave away all his wealth and absorbed in worshiping Allah Tala completely. His son then took control of the business he had. After some time his death drew near. His son came for advice. He advised his son to bury him near his two uncles and write some verses. The Shaykh continued, You have seen the verses on the grave and that is the businessman's. In addition, the businessman advised his son to visit his grave the consecutive three days after his death and seek forgiveness. After the death of the businessman, his son did so as advised. On the third day of visit, the son heard a loud noise in his father's grave. At night he dreamt his father. His father advised him, O Son! You are meeting us soon. However, after death it is not possible that you prepare yourself. Don't waste time in this world being caught in the trial and tests. Many were making big plans in the world. They had to die before their plans came into reality. All the repentance after death could not benefit them. (Be careful!) Your outcome may not be the same. Therefore O Son! Don't neglect! Don't neglect any more!

Waking up in the morning the son called all family members and told them, I think my time has ended. He payed all debts and gave away the rest of his wealth away. On the third day he faced the Qibla and reciting the Kalima Shahadat he passed away.

From Nujhatul Bastin

If Allah Tala decides to Honor

At the time of Khalifa Harunur Rashid (R) there was a young man who possessed the quality of advising right and forbidding wrong. Once this young man made an adverse comment about the Khalifa. Being informed the Khalifa immediately arrested him and put him in a room where there was no provision of air and light, in view the individual be punished severely. After five days one man informed Khalifa Harunur Rashid (R) that he saw the very young man in a garden quite freely wandering about and that he is no more a captive.

Khalifa Harunur Rashid (R) again ordered to arrest the young man. When he was brought in front of the Khalifa, Khalifa asked him, "Who freed you?" The young man answered, "The one who entered me into the garden." Khalifa asked, "Who entered you into the garden?" The young man answered, "The one who made me captive." Khalifa said, "Your words seem very astonishing to me(?)" Instantly the young man replied, "Which task of Allah Tala is NOT astonishing to you?" Hearing this reply of the young man, Khalifa Harunur Rashid (R) started shedding tears.

Then Khalifa Harunur Rashid (R) ordered his men to take this man and mount him on horseback; give him a round across the city; ahead of his horse - let an announcer announce: "Allah Tala has honored this guy; Khalifa Harunur Rashid desired to dishonor and degrade him, however, the Khalifa has failded to do so. Finally he is bound to honor him." (From 'Nujhatul Basatin')

The reason for my solitude

Taken from Nujhatul Basatin - a Famous Book consisting of Stories of the Freinds of Allah Tala (very beneficial to quench the thirst of the Seekers), written by Hazrat Yafeyee Yameni (R)

One individual came to Hazrat Hasan Basri (R) and informed, "O Abu Sayeed! (Hazrat was called in this name) There is a person in our area, who always remain in solitude. We could not know the reason for his solitude."

Later - one day, Hazrat Hasan Basri (R) went to the place and asked the man (living in solitude), "I think you like solitude and dislike the company of people; however, what is the reason?" The man replied, "I am always busy with my work, for this reason I cannot meet people."

Listening to him, Hazrat Hasan Basri (R) said, "In that place lives a man named Hasan Basri - at least you can sometimes go there and meet Hasan." The man replied, "The reason, for which I cannot meet general people, is the same for which I cannot meet Hasan Basri." Hazrat Hasan Basri (R) asked him, "What is the work in which you are engaged in?" He answered, "When I open my eyes I see the unlimited bounties of Allah Tala over me, on the other hand, I see my large amount of sins. Then I initate Gratitude towards Allah Tala and seek His forgiveness - engaging in Istegfar. Therefore, I get no time for any other job."

Listening to the man Hazrat Hasan replied, "O Abdullah (the slave of Allah)! You are wiser than Hasan; be engaged in what you are."

Note: This state, as of the man in the story, is not permitted for all - i.e. staying a solitude life. Though in many situations solitude is praiseworthy, just as stated in the story. Asking your Spiritual Mentor or an Alim regarding when to do what is important. My Allah Tala guide us!

How Allah Tala saves His friends

Bakhte Nasr (a king, who as an oppressor) ordered to put Hazrat Danial (AM) [a Messenger of Allah Tala] into a lion cave, where two lions were laid down against the Messenger of Allah Tala. Due to Allah Tala's command the two lions not even dared to look at Hazrat Danial (AM) . After sometime Danial (AM) got hungry and required food. Allah Tala ordered Hazrat Armia (AM) [another Messenger of Allah Tala at that time] in Syria to prepare food for Hazrat Danial (AM). Hazrat Armia surprisingly asked Allah Tala: "O Allah! Hazrat Danial is Iraq's Babel; and I am in Syria (How come I'll reach him)? Allah Tala replied, "Your task is to prepare food (what I've ordered); My task is to reach it". After preparation of food, Allah Tala's command took Hazrat Armia (AM) right in the cage of Hazrat Danial (AM). Seeing Hazrat Armia standing in the cage Hazrat Danial asked him, "Who are you?" Hazrat Armia (AM) introduced himself. Hazrat Danial further queried, "How did you come here?" Hazrat Armia replied, "It is Allah Tala who reached me here." Hazrat Danial (AM) with pleasure asked, "Did Allah Tala utter my name to you?" Hazrat Armia (AM) replied, "Yes." Hazrat Danial (AM) answered, "Praise to Allah Tala - He doesn't forget the ones who remember Him. Praise to Allah Tala - He doesn't deprives the ones who expects from Him. Praise to Allah Tala - He doesn't assign the servant (relying on Him) on others' hand. Praise to Allah - He provides Ihsan in return of Ihsan. Praise to Allah Tala - He rewards Sabr with freedom. Praise to Allah Tala - He saves us from all troubles. At that moment He is our Reliance, when all our efforts have failed."

Conduct of Our Noble Predecessors: Hazrat Ali R Lost his shield

Hazrat Ali R once lost a shield. At that time he was the Caliph – Ameerul Mu’mineen (Leader of the Believers). Suddenly, he saw one Jew carrying it. Hazrat Ali R claimed, “This is mine.” But the Jew rejected and claimed it as his.
Hazrat Ali R went to the Judge. He was Hazrat Suraiyh Rah – a Tabeyee. The Judge listened to Hazrat Ali R and asked whether he has any witness or not. Hazrat Ali R brought two witnesses accordingly – one his servant and Hazrat Hasan R (Hazrat’s son). The Judge accepted the servant as witness, however he rejected Hazrat Hasan R as witness for being son.

(Note: Whether son’s witness would be accepted or not – this issue is a bit contradictory. Hazrat Ali R was on its favor, however the Judge was not. As the Judge is the authority of legal affairs, thus his opinion had to be accepted)

As a result, the verdict was against the Highly dignified ruler – the Jew would possess the shield!

Hazrat Ali R’s impression? Very simple. He walked out normally, accepting all the Judge has said and showing due respect toward Allah Ta’la’s Ruling.

The reaction of the Jew? Very astonishing for him, however should not for the Muslims!
The Jew embraced Islam and returned the shield to Hazrat Ali R. Hazrat Ali R gifted it to the new Muslim. The new Muslim participated in the Battle of Siffin and Martyred.

Our Noble Predecessors were like that! People in large numbers and most of the people indeed converted to Islam only by the exposure of their great virtues. Today we lack a modest character and the noble virtues which attract people. Instead, most of us possess the character of personalities which are opposite to our Rasul Sallallahu Alayihiwa Sallam and the Sahabas (R)! How can we expect progress and development on these opposite paths…..?

May Allah Ta’la save and us…..may we be aware and make a pledge to lead a piety life!