Muhammad b. Hussain Baghdadi (mercy be upon him) says: ‘Once I set out for Pilgrimage (Hajj). I was, by chance, passing through the bazaar of Makkah when I saw an old man holding the hand of a girl, who had grown pale but had a radiant face.”” That old man was crying out: ‘Is there one to purchase this girl? Is there anyone willing to pay more than twenty gold coins as a price for her with this condition that I shall not be accountable for any shortcomings of hers?” I went near that venerable old man and asked him: “We have come to know of her price, please tell us about her shortcomings.”’ He then counted them.
“She is a mad girl; and always looks worried, he offers prayers throughout the night, observes fast during the day; neither eats nor drinks, and likes solitude at every place.”
These qualities of hers fascinated me and I purchased her and brought her to my dwelling place. I saw her sitting lowering her head towards the earth. She then raised her head and said: ‘My junior master Which is your native country? Allah may shower His mercy upon you.” I told her: ‘ It is Iraq.” She asked: ‘Which part of Iraq,—Basrah or Kufah?” I told her: “It is none of these two.’’ She again said: “Do you belong to Baghdad?” I said: ‘‘Yes.’’ She exclaimed with joy and said: “It is the city of pious men; it is the city of God-conscious persons.” | wondered how this handmaid, who has been transferred from one cell to another, has a knowledge of the pious persons. I, just out of fun, asked her: ‘‘Which of these pious men are known to you?” She began to count them thus :
‘‘Malik b. Din’ar, Bashar Hafi Salih Mari, Abu Ha‘tim Sajastani, Ma‘ruf Karkhi, Mohammad B. Hussain Baghdadi, Ra’bia, ‘Advia, Sha’wana and Maimuna (mercy be upon them).”’
I asked her: ‘How do you come to know about all these pious persons.”” She said: ‘O young man! How can I remain ignorant about them? By God! These people are the physicians of hearts. These are the people who are closely related to Allah and have thus no care but to seek His pleasure. Their main object of devotion is their Lord. How excellent is their aim, that they are devoted to one Independent Being. Neither do they entangle themselves in the world nor its pleasures and problems.’”’ Thereupon I told her: ‘“O girl! I am Mohammad b. Hussain.” She said; “I prayed to God that He might allow me to see you. What about your fascinating voice by which you revived the dead hearts of your disciples (followers) and the eyes of the listeners seemed to be fond of it?” I told her: ‘I am still blessed with it (the fascinating voice).’’
She said: “By God! Recite to me some part of the Holy Qur’an.” I recited: ““With the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.” She cried loudly and became unconscious. I sprinkled water on her and she felt some relief, and said: “‘When His name has such a deep impact, what would happen to me at the moment when I would know and see Him in heaven?’? Then she said: ‘Well! Recite the Quran. May God shower His mercy upon you.” I recited a verse from the Holy Qur’an, which is translated as follows:—
تَنزِيلُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلْعَزِيزِ ٱلْحَكِيمِ ٢
"Do those people, who commit ill-deeds, suppose that We shall make them as those who believe and do good deeds, the same in life and death? Bad is their judgment !””
(Al Jathiya-2)
On hearing this Qur’anic verse, she said: “Thank God! Neither did I worship anyone else nor did I kiss any idol.”” She then requested me with. a blessing to recite some more verses. I recited the Qur’anic verse, the translation of which is given below:—
وَيُنذِرَ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوا۟ ٱتَّخَذَ ٱللَّهُ وَلَدًۭا ٤
“To! We have prepared the fire for disbelievers. is tent would enclose them from all sides If they ask for showers, they will be showered with water like molten lead which burneth their faces. Calamitous the drink and all ill the resting place!”
(Kahf-4).
She then added: ‘“‘Why have you made your heart so gloomy. Make it live amidst hope and fear.” She prayed: ‘““May the Almighty and Glorious God show you His mercy !” She then requested me to recite some more verses. I recited a verse from the Qur’an, which is translated as:—
وُجُوهٌۭ يَوْمَئِذٍۢ مُّسْفِرَةٌۭ ٣٨
ضَاحِكَةٌۭ مُّسْتَبْشِرَةٌۭ ٣٩
“On that day (i.e. the Day of Judgment) many of the faces will be as bright as dawn, laughing and rejoicing at good news’’.
(‘Abasa - 38-39).
I also recited this Qur’anic verse: ‘‘Faces on that day will be resplendent, looking towards their Lord.” (Qiyyama R-1) Thereupon she said: ‘Alas! To what extent shall I be anxious of His meeting on the Day when He will be manifesting Himself to His friends.’ She then prayed: ‘‘May Allah bless you with His mercy! Recite some more verses.”” I recited some Qur’anic verses which are translated as follows:— ‘There wait on them immortal youths With bowls and ewers and a cup from a pure spring Wherefrom they get no aching of the head nor any madness, And fruit that they prefer, And flesh of fowls that they desire. And (there are) fair ones with wide, lovely eyes, Like unto hidden pearls, Reward for what they used to do There hear they no vain speaking nor recrimination {Naught) but the saying: Peace(and again) peace. And those on the right hand; what of those on the right hand?
Among thornless lote-trees
And clustered plantations
And spreading shade,
And water gushing,
And fruit in plenty
Neither out of reach nor yet forbidden,
And raised couches ;
Lo! We have created a (new) creation
And made them virgins.
Lovers, friends,
For those on the right hand.” —(The Event-r)
Then the girl told me: ‘Yours is an engagement with Hours. You shall spend something on the wedding gifts.’’ I asked her: ‘What will be their wedding (gift) because I am a poor man.” She said: “Their wedding (gift) is to say Tahajjud (a prayer offered after midnight), keep fast during the day time, and have love with the poor and orphans. After this, that maid recited six poetical verses which are translated as:— “Q that man! Who seeks engagement with hurs (heavenly virgins) in their veils. And is desirous of them despite their dignity, Let him gird up his loin;? And show no laziness Strive hard against yourself And train it to endure (hardship) Observe Tahajjud prayer after mid-night All these deeds are the nuptial gifts of heavenly virgins,
If thine eyes happen to see them When they are turning their attention to these With swelling breasts, Walking in the company of other girls of their age With shining necklaces on their chests,
All worldly elegance will then Appear to thee as frivolous’.
After having recited these verses, she became unconscious. I again sprinkled water on her face whereby she got some relief. Then she prayed: ‘“O God ! Protect me from the torment. I am, no doubt, the one confessing her sins. Thou hath generously forgiven my _ sins. Thou art the Gracious and the Beneficent. The people have formed a good opinion about me. But, if Thou forgivest not my faults, I shall be undone. There is no way for me except to have the hope of Thine forgiveness and to expect nothing but Thine Mercy.”
After reciting these poetical verses, that girl again became unconscious. When I reached near her, she had died. I received a severe shock and went to the bazaar to purchase things for her funeral. When I returned from the bazaar, I found her corpse shrouded and perfumed ready for the grave. Her shroud (the dress for the grave) consisted of two green sheets of cloth, which was a dress of heaven. On the shroud, there were written two lines with heavenly light. In the first line, there was written, Kalimah Tayyabah: “There is no God save Allah, and Muhammad is His Messenger.’’ The other line consisted of a Qur’anic verse, which is translated as: “Remember. No fear shall come upon the friends of Allah, neither shall they grieve.”’
1, with the assistance of my companions, carried her bier. After saying a funeral prayer, I buried her, recited Surah Yasin over her grave, and returned to my small private apartment. Tears were flowing from my eyes. I experienced much agony on account of her death. On coming back, I said two rak‘as of supererogatory prayer and fell asleep. In the dream, I saw that girl walking in heaven. She was in a very small but fragrant garden of Saffron. She was wearing a suit of silk and brocade. She was also wearing a crown on her head studded with pearls. She was wearing shoes made of precious stone. The fragrance of musk and ambergris was emitted from her body. Her face was brighter than the sun and the moon. I said: “O girl! Stay for a while and tell me for what deed, you have been blessed with this place of dignity.’’ She said: ‘‘All this is due to my affection showed to the poor and the orphans, my prayer for forgiveness, and my act of removing from the way of the Muslims the things causing inconvenience to them.’’ She then recited three poetical verses, which are translated as follows :
‘‘Fortunate is the person, The eyes of whom at nights, Do remain vigilant.
And passes the night in the anxiety of His Master’s great love.
And laments upon his shortcomings and weeps for his fault of the day,
And stands alone at night, Counting stars for fear of Allah’s punishment.
And the eve of Allah is watching all this state of affairs.”
READ ALSO;
[CONCERNING THE DEATH OF GOD-FEARING MAN]
[THE STORY OF TWO SLAVE GIRLS.]
[THE STORY OF MUSA BIN MUHAMMAD AL HASHIMY]
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