Hazraz Shah Sufi Abdullah Bishkuti (rah) was the grandfather of our late pir-o-murshed Nizam Uddin Bishkuti, who died on 23rd March 2009. In the spiritual chain our Shaykh was khalifa of Abdul Hayy Siddiqi Furfurawi, who was the khalifa of Mashhud Bishkuti, who in turn was the son and khalifa of Shah Abdullah Bishkuti, may Allah have mercy upon them, forgive them and exalt their ranks. Nizam Uddin Bishkuti was the 42nd person in the spiritual lineage from the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.

|The following is a story from the book written by Hazrat Shah Sufi Abdullah Bishkuti, which deals with the whole subject of sufism in a condensed form, a gem of wisdom, entertaining and easy to read. I hope you will enjoy the story and receive  spiritual faiz from the author and from the shaykhs of this chain right up to the Master, Prophet, peace be upon him, himself. This is the purpose of isal-e-sawab gathering - to remember the people of the past, pray for them and receive mutual benefits and blessings. May Allah most High accept it from us. Amin.

Storytellers have written that in the olden days there was a powerful king. His kingdom was vast and he had countless troops. The king was also just and fair. His subjects were happy too. Due to his dispensation of justice the houses of his subjects were filled with melodious music, sadness, worry and stress had taken flight from his kingdom.

Next to his capitol was a dump. Adjacent to it was a forest and a river. Many foxes lived in the forest. All the dead animals of the city and rotten smelly rubbish were dumped there. The foxes would gather there and devour the dead animals lying there.

Now as it happened, a pregnant vixen gave birth to a cub. The cub grew with time, and with it his intelligence also grew. So he asked his mother, “mother, tell me, what is the plank we are sitting on, and what is the canopy above our heads with bright lights, how did it come to be?”

“Listen son, the plank we are sitting on, is called the earth. It has seven levels and on each level there are various forms of life living on it. The canopy above our heads is called the sky. Of the lights in it, the one that shines during the day is called the sun, the one that shines through the night is called the moon. The small lamps that shine alongside it are called stars. There skies are seven; in each level different forms of creatures live.”

“Mother, tell me please how it all happened?”

“All that you see have been created by Allah most High. He is the creator, the guardian and destroyer of it all. So He mentioned in His holy book ‘indeed Allah is the creator of all things, and He is aware of all things. Indeed Allah is the creator of the heavens and earth and all that is in it.’”

“Mother, tell me where does Allah live, what does He eat, does He have children, who are His ministers, does He have parents?”

Mother laughed and said, “Son, you are still a baby. You do not have enough knowledge. You don’t need to ask these questions as it is beyond your comprehension. Many a wise person has been destroyed by these queries.”

“No mother, you must tell me, I must know, where is the time to earn later?”

“Ok son, I will answer your questions. But remember, you must never forget. One day it will benefit you.”

“Your first question – where does Allah live – the answer is that Allah does not live in a certain place. He has said, “And He it is that Encompasseth all things” (4:126) Indeed Allah is powerful over all things and encompasses all things. He is present in all places and at all times. He is sees, hears and is fully aware with all that is happening in all spheres of the created realm. Elsewhere He has said, “Verily it is Allah Who hears and sees (40:20)” “Allah knows well all the secrets of the heart. (3:119)” His essence is perfect, there is no imperfection in His essence. The evidence for this in the Qur’an is “Allah! There is no god but He,-the Living, the Self-subsisting, Eternal. No slumber can seize Him nor sleep. His are all things in the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede in His presence except as He permitteth? He knoweth what (appeareth to His creatures as) before or after or behind them. Nor shall they compass aught of His knowledge except as He willeth. His Throne doth extend over the heavens and the earth, and He feeleth no fatigue in guarding and preserving them for He is the Most High, the Supreme (in glory)(2:255).”

“Son, you asked if He has children and family. The answer to this is “Say: He is Allah, the One and Only; Allah, the Eternal, Absolute; He begetteth not, nor is He begotten; And there is none like unto Him. (112:1-4)” He is One, He does not have antecedent or precedent. “He is the First and the Last, the Evident and the Immanent: and He has full knowledge of all things (57:3).” It is forbidden to argue about it. “All that is on earth will perish. But will abide (for ever) the Face of thy Lord,- full of Majesty, Bounty and Honour. (55:26-27).” To know this much with faith and conviction is enough. Allah is permanent. He is always in the same state. His holiness does not undergo any form of change. Everything else is temporary. Some will perish today while others tomorrow.”

“My child, you wanted to know who His representatives were and who serves Him? The answer to this is that His courtroom is free of representatives. He does not need servants and ministers like the kings of this world. He is self-sufficient. With His saying of the divine decree ‘kun’ everything comes into being and continues to do so. Nothing has the power to disobey Him. No one can challenge Him. He does not have any partners. That is why He does not need servants, ministers or troops. The evidence for this is “He is the irresistible, (watching) from above over His worshippers (6:61)”

“Mother, you said Allah is One and alone without partners, then how can He keep up with all that takes place within the heavens and the earth?”

“My child, look at the Qur’an where Allah says, “Allah is He, than Whom there is no other god;- Who knows (all things) both secret and open; He, Most Gracious, Most Merciful (59:22)” and again, “From Allah, verily nothing is hidden on earth or in the heavens. (3:5)” That is why He does not require any informers as I have told you before He is omnipresent. Have you forgotten?”

“If Allah does not require anyone then what is the reason for Him to bring into creation the whole universe. What is the mystery behind it?”

“There are 2 reasons for this beautiful creation. 1) To proclaim His Lordship. 2) To create the Prophet, peace be upon him, and to establish his supremacy over the entire creation. Had He not created the beautiful 18,000 worlds then we would not have known the splendour and might of His power and creative ability. He would not have been known as the creator. No one would have known God. He has created all this focusing on His beloved Muhammad, peace be upon him. It is mentioned in hadith al-qudsi: “Were it not for you, I would not have created the universe.” 

“Who is Muhammad Mustafa you mention? You repeatedly say the kalamullah (speech of Allah), what is kalamullah?”

“Muhammad Mustafa, peace be upon him, is the beloved of Allah. He is made the premier of 124,000 prophets, peace be upon them. Khatam-ul-mursalin (seal of messengers) is his title. He is addressed as His habib (beloved). He is the source behind the creation of both worlds. The creation of Nur Muhammadi (Muhammadan Light) took place before the creation of the created universe. He was sent to the world after all the prophets and messengers. Allah has declared in his honour:

‘We sent thee not, but as a Mercy for all creatures’ (21:107) Because of you Adam, peace be upon him, was created. Because of you the angels were made to bow in front of him. He was given the permission to reside in paradise. Then he was brought out of the paradise and sent to this world. Muhammad, peace be upon him, came to this world out of his progeny. 

A special book which we call kalamullah (literally speech of Allah) has been revealed to him. Allah has guided humanity with this favourite Prophet and the kalamullah. So, Allah has stated:

‘Ramadhan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong).’ (2:185) He has promulgated His religion through the Prophet, peace be upon him. Thus He mentions, ‘This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion. But if any is forced by hunger, with no inclination to transgression, Allah is indeed Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.’ (5:3) This means that Allah granted His beloved Muhammad, peace be upon him, all the bounties, and the mir’aj (ascension, night journey), even an audience with Himself, and the knowledge of this world from the beginning to the end. The religion and prophecy ended with him. This religion will remain until the end of time (qiyamat). Whoever recites the kalima with faith and conviction and adheres to the teaching of the Prophet, will enter paradise. Whoever goes against it and opposes the Prophet will end up in hell. As Allah mentions, ‘for any that disobey Allah and His Messenger,- for them is Hell: they shall dwell therein for ever.’ (72:23) And those who do not accept Allah and the miracles of the Prophet are heading towards hell and there they will remain forever. Indeed those who have faith upon Allah and the Prophet and do good will end up in Jannat al Ferdous (highest paradise)”

“Mother, you say paradise and hell, what are these?”

“Son, paradise is a name of a place. Those people who believe in Allah and this Prophet and obey their commandments and prohibitions will be give a place in paradise after their death. There He has kept for them countless bounties and they will remain there in happiness and tranquillity. Allah has said, ‘and those who believe in Allah and work righteousness,- He will remove from them their ills, and He will admit them to Gardens beneath which Rivers flow, to dwell therein for ever: that will be the Supreme Achievement’ (64:9)

Son, paradise is like a garden. There are many beautiful things there. Allah most High has made it for His favourite servants. Hell is a name of a place. There He will place those who oppose Him and His Prophet, peace be upon him. There will be many types of hardships and punishments there. Snakes, scorpions, fire and water remain there. Allah has said, ‘But those who disobey Allah and His Messenger and transgress His limits will be admitted to a Fire, to abide therein: And they shall have a humiliating punishment.’ (4:14) and ‘But those who reject Faith and treat Our Signs as falsehoods, they will be Companions of the Fire, to dwell therein for aye: and evil is that Goal’ (64:10)”

“Mother, when do people go to paradise or hell?”

“After death.”

“What is death?”

“Death is when life departs from the body. And living is when life comes to the body.”

“Mother, do the young and old, men and women all have to die?”

“Yes son, everyone has to leave this world. As Allah has said, ‘Every soul shall have a taste of death in the end to Us shall ye be brought back.’ (29:57) Everything will be made to taste from the cup of death.”

“Mother, how does death happen?”

“Allah most High has four great angels, peace be upon them, busied with four duties. The angel Jibrail has the task of bringing revelations to the prophets. Hazrat Mikail carries the responsibility providing food and drink. Hazrat Israfil is standing with the trumpet in his hand until the day of qiyamat when he will blow it. Hazrat Azrail has the duty of taking away souls. He takes out the life and soul of all living things. The souls of the pious come out with comfort while the souls of the misfortunates come out through pain.”

“Mother, what is qiyamat?”

“This is the day when everything in between the sky and the earth will be destroyed; it is a very hard day. This day is called qiyamat. Allah mentions, “Then, when one blast is sounded on the Trumpet, And the earth is moved, and its mountains, and they are crushed to powder at one stroke, And the sky will be rent asunder, for it will that Day be flimsy” (69:13-16) and “The trumpet shall be sounded, when behold! from the sepulchres (men) will rush forth to their Lord!” (36:51). This is a day when Allah will order the angel Israfil to blow the trumpet. He will blow as soon as he receives the command, and with the sound of it the sky and earth and all that is between it will be destroyed. Allah ahs further mentioned, “(It is) a Day whereon men will be like moths scattered about, And the mountains will be like carded wool.” (101: 4-5) That means nothing will exist apart from Allah. Then, the angel Israfil will be made to come alive with the trumpet. He will be commanded to blow the trumpet for a second time. By this, the creation will reawaken a second time. As Allah says, “The Trumpet will (just) be sounded, when all that are in the heavens and on earth will swoon, except such as it will please Allah (to exempt). Then will a second one be sounded, when, behold, they will be standing and looking on!” (39:68)

After that, everyone will go to Arafat place. Everyone will be given the accounts of their lifetimes in their hand. The sun will be just above the head. The good and bad deeds will be weighed on the scales. Qiyamat will be established. On each tongue shall be these words – nafsi nafsi (my soul my soul) – father will not speak to the son nor mother to the daughter. All the noble prophets will tremble due to fear. Allah most High will be the judge. He will say, “Whose will be the dominion that Day?" That of Allah, the One, the Irresistible!” (40:16)

But during this dreadful time the master Habib-ur-Rahman, prophet of the last age, shafi-ul-mujnibin, rahmat-al-lil-‘alameen will take preparations for intercession. Without hesitation he will bravely keep on repeating Ya Ummati Ya Ummati (O my nation O my nation). He will intercede on behalf of the sinful members of the nation. He will deliver them to heaven after being forgiven. After the weighing in the scales the virtuous will be sent to heaven and the sinners will be sent to hell. Like Allah says, “some will be in the Garden, and some in the Blazing Fire” (42:7). “The Unbelievers will be led to Hell in crowd: until, when they arrive, there, its gates will be opened. And its keepers will say, "Did not messengers come to you from among yourselves, rehearsing to you the Signs of your Lord, and warning you of the Meeting of This Day of yours?" The answer will be: "True: but the Decree of Punishment has been proved true against the Unbelievers! (To them) will be said: "Enter ye the gates of Hell, to dwell therein: and evil is (this) Abode of the Arrogant! And those who feared their Lord will be led to the Garden in crowds: until behold, they arrive there; its gates will be opened; and its keepers will say: "Peace be upon you! well have ye done! enter ye here, to dwell therein."” (39:71 - 73)

Every dweller of its place will remain there forever. However, some inhabitants of hell will enter paradise after their fixed period of punishment.”

“Mother, you said that Allah does not require ministers, messengers and servants, all He needs to do is say kun (be). Now it is proved that He gets things done through angels and prophets. Therefore He is proved to be dependant.”

“O silly boy, quiet! You have already forgotten what I have said. I have mentioned previously that you cannot comprehend all of this. You are wasting my time unnecessarily. In what I have said to you how is it deduced that Allah is dependant upon His creation? This kind of utterance is among kufr (denial, concealment of truth).”

“Mother, don’t be upset with me. How could my faith be complete until I fully understand it?”

“Son, all the angels are there to meet the needs of the creation. Allah most High has no need of them. If the angels were not created then how could our needs have been met? If the prophets were not sent to the world and the books of guidance were not sent then how could the light of guidance have reached us? All of us would have become lost. The whole of creation would have sunk in jahiliyyah (ignorance). How would we have known the concepts of parent, children, cousins, halal and haram (lawful and unlawful), [ritual] purity, prayer and fasting, hajj and zakat, kalima, shirk and bid’at, good and bad, life and death, hashr, heaven and hell without prophethood. Who would have known about the shari’at, tarikat and haqiqat?

“Mother, what is shari’at ?”

“I will tell you very briefly. The sayings of the Prophet, peace be upon him, of the last age is called shari’at. And whatever he preached and practised is known as tarikat. And whatever halat (spiritual conditions) he possessed, haqiqat is to adhere to these halat and to remain on it. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said, “Shariat is my Kawl (words), Tarikat is my Aamal (Practice) and Hakikat is my Haal (condition ) and marifat is my mystery.””

“Mother, When you say Adam, peace be upon him, who is he? Why was he thrown out of heaven?”

“Hazrat Adam, peace be upon him, was a servant of Allah. He did not have a mother or father. Allah most High created him out of His own hands. He made him His representative (khalifa). It is mentioned in the Qur’an, “Behold, thy Lord said to the angels: "I will create a vicegerent on earth."” (2:30) Khalifa means a land dweller. I have honoured the children of Adam. This khalifa is the father of humanity Adam, peace be upon him.

Allah has honoured Adam, He made the angels prostrate Adam. He gave permission for him to live in heaven. Only Satan did not prostrate before Adam but complained, “Thou didst create me from fire, and him from clay” (7:12) For this rudeness Allah became angry and said, “(Allah) said: "Then get thee out from here; for thou art rejected, accursed. And the curse shall be on thee till the day of Judgment.” (15:34-35)  

From that time onwards Satan became removed from the presence of Allah and devoid of his benevolence. He became the enemy of Hazrat Adam, peace be upon him. He started scheming how to bring Adam, peace be upon him, out of paradise. When Allah permitted Adam into paradise, He warned him to eat all the fruits except from a designated tree. At the end Satan went into paradise and promised Adam, peace be upon him, which is mentioned in the Qur’an, “O ye Children of Adam! Let not Satan seduce you, in the same manner as He got your parents out of the Garden, stripping them of their raiment, to expose their shame: for he and his tribe watch you from a position where ye cannot see them: We made the evil ones friends (only) to those without faith.” (7:27) They were both brought out from heaven into the world. Hazrat Adam, peace be upon him, cried many years. Then Allah showed mercy upon him and taught him a kalima, “Our Lord! We have wronged our own souls: If thou forgive us not and bestow not upon us Thy Mercy, we shall certainly be lost.” (7:23) Allah most High ordered Adam and Hawwa (Eve) to repent and they repented. Allah mentions, “Then learnt Adam from his Lord words of inspiration, and his Lord Turned towards him; for He is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful.” (2:37) He became the father of everyone in the created realm. Through them the family of mankind started to grow. Satan is an enemy to Adam and Hawwa, peace be upon them, and their children, he incites towards evil and puts them astray. He commits sin and makes people sin until they are worthy of hell. Allah has warned His servants, “Did I not enjoin on you, O ye Children of Adam, that ye should not worship Satan; for that he was to you an enemy avowed?” (36:60)

“Mother, who is Satan, where did he come from, how did he come to be?”

“My child won’t you let me go? I will tell you another day. I don’t like too much chatter”

“Mother, this is not chatter, what are you saying? This is the sayings of Allah and His Rasul. How good it is, what can be better than this in the world. Tell me more in the name of God, what an enthralling story. More tastier than sugared milk!”

“OK son, try not to forget, Satan was born from the offsprings Jinn. Before the creation of Adam a person named Jinn was created out of fire and sent to Earth which was colonised by his offspring. After his family expanded his children became oppositional to the laws of Allah. Then Allah sent angels to destroy them. A few of them escaped by fleeing here and there. They then returned to the worship of Allah. During this time a Jinn by the name of Iblis who is known as Satan became so engrossed in the worship of Allah that Allah took him up to the sky. There he worshipped for many years. As a result he was promoted to the second heaven. Eventually he was promoted to the seventh heaven. Allah most High was satisfied with his ibadat (servitude) and made him the mu’allim (teacher) over all the angels. He was given permission to reside there. 

One day, an angel saw written on the lawh mahfuz (preserved tablet) that one of the closest servant  Allah by disobeying a single command became accursed and rejected. This angel informed all other angels of this information. They all started to cry. After crying much they became desperate and came to Iblis. Iblis asked them what the matter was with them, so they informed him. After hearing them, he said, “don’t worry, there’s nothing to worry about. Whatever happens I shall take it upon myself.” It is also related differently. For example, once Allah asked everyone, “what should the punishment be of one who disobeys his lord?” At that time Satan the accursed replied, “this servant will be removed from his lord, rejected and accursed for all times.” Allah ordered this to be written down for Iblis. On hearing this Iblis wrote it down. When Allah created Adam and ordered the angels to prostrate before him, “And behold, We said to the angels: "Bow down to Adam" and they bowed down. Not so Iblis: he refused and was haughty: He was of those who reject Faith.” (2:34) He refused to obey the command. He became arrogant as a result he became kafir (one who conceals). Then he was sent away from the Allah’s presence and shown him his own writing.”

“Has Allah created Jinns only with fire?”

“No son, He created them with four elements: - fire, water, earth and ether, but the quantity of fire is greater. That is why they are known as fiery (naari).”

“Mother, what was Adam, peace upon him, created with?”

“He was created with arba’ah anasir, that is, with the four elements. But earth predominates in Adam. That is why he is known as khaki (earthly).”

“With what were the rest of the creation created?”

“The rest were created with these four root elements.”

“Subhanallah, (glory to God) Adam, merely a puppet made with clay, has been honoured so much!”

“Son, Allah has said in honour of Adam, “We have honoured the sons of Adam; provided them with transport on land and sea; given them for sustenance things good and pure; and conferred on them special favours, above a great part of our creation.” (17:70)

The fox cub, hearing these stories from his mother, thought, and said to his mother. “Mother, listen, the lower and baser classes should serve higher and noble ones. If they remain steadfast in their service then perhaps they too will attain rank and status. Don’t you aspire towards this?”

“Yes son, you have spoken correctly.”

“Then why should we remain in murky bog in this jungle living on the stinking rotten corpses of the dead? Come, let us go to the king in groups, who is absolutely just and fair, kind, compassionate, charitable and friend of the poor and destitute. Let’s serve him and exalt our own statuses. Let’s live in comfort.”

“O no no no. Never make this intention. Otherwise you will get yourself killed!”

“But Mother, listen to me. Let’s take all our family together and try our luck.”

“Son, have you gone mad?”

“OK Mother, if you won’t go then let me go by myself and try my luck?”

The mother fox hearing this strange proposal, gathered all her clan and said that her son has gone mad and for everyone to keep him under control. Everyone gathered together to dissuade him. But he listened to no one. He had made his mind up. They explained, “You fool. Do you the types of people? Some are devils (Satan), some are animals, some angels, some human – all humans are not the same.”

“Tell me, how can people turn into devils?”

Mother explained, “Whoever robs and steals from his brothers in faith, indulges in adultery and fornication, lies, backbites and incites one against another then he is a devil (satan). Allah says, “They are the Party of the Evil One (Satan). Truly, it is the Party of the Evil One (Satan) that will perish! (57:19)

“Mother, inform me who are among the party of the animals?”

“Those who take the property of others by force, devour the wealth of the orphans, harm other people. They are violent and indulge in greed and self-satiation. These are not humans but animals. Allah says, “They are only like cattle;- nay, they are worse astray in Path.” (25:44)

“Mother, what are the angels (malayek), tell me please?”

There are faulty or blameworthy characteristics, those who have freed themselves of the characteristics through knowledge and practise (amaal) are called angels.”

“Who are humans (insaan)?”

Those who, with mortification and piety, have bettered themselves are truly humans. It is narrated in hadith, “"He who knows himself knows his Lord".

“Mother, you have said a surprising thing! Please explain further. To live with self-knowledge, to know one’s self will lead to God knowledge?”

“Son, the question you have asked me is a very delicate matter, still, since you asked me I will say. Remember first of all, there some things relating to this question that cannot be said or written about. Of those that can be said I am telling. Allah has given a trust with humans with which they eat and drink, walk and move around, see and hear and do all other things. This is called nafs. People do not know about it or recognize it – no one even glances at it. However, to whom Allah grants much about this will understand. There are some conditions in understanding this. They are:

First of all: one must remove the total love of this world from his heart.

Secondly: one must think of one as if dead before actually dying.

Thirdly: one must eat less and indulge less.

Fourthly: one must speak less.

Fifthly: sleep less

Sixthly: always keep one’s self in a state of purity.

Seventhly: remain steadfast on the Shari’ah

Eighth condition: to remain constantly in remembrance and meditation of Allah.

Ninthly: to find a kamil pir (spiritual guide, kamil means both complete and perfect).

Tenthly: to repent from sins

Eleventh condition: one must refrain from all evil characteristics e.g. hate, malice, pride, miserliness, shirk (polytheism), bid’at (religious innovation), anger, laziness, enmity, incitement, adultery, begging, despising, haram (unlawful), injustice and bad conduct etc.

Twelfth condition: all good characteristics e.g. acquisition of knowledge, kindness, religious conduct, charitable intention, poverty, mortification, thinking good of others, patience, modesty e.t.c one must cultivate in himself. When one has achieved this then it will be evident that one has learnt to know himself. And whoever truly knows himself know Allah most Glorious. I am allowed to say up to this. I am not permitted to say more than this. But whoever knows himself is truly human.”

“OK Mother. I accept what you say. I say this, if the king is not human he will at least be on the position of an angel. Otherwise how can God the Great grant him such a high position and a kingdom? This is enough. You people listen to me and come with me at least to the king’s presence to see what happens. I think through the grace of Allah there will be a good outcome for me and you.”

“You are a weird and strange boy! We are telling you so many consoling words, and yet, you say the same thing. Fool! You don’t know. If a person does not listen to his elders then at the end he becomes disgraced and dejected. Listen to us. Rid yourself of your conclusions.”

“Mother be logical and rational. You have concluded the nobility of humans who Allah has exalted and honoured. How could we disobey humans when we think rationally? Until you have proven to me that obeying humans is harmful or has bad consequences I will not desist from the quest. If you argue with me then I will give you evidence against it.”

“Son, what evidence is this, please tell us?”

“O ye who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger, and those charged with authority among you.” (4:59) Mother, if you have evidence against this then you can tell me.”

“Son, since you are saying like this, listen, my father, grandfather and others ancestors have never been servants to humans. Why should disgrace myself in this world?”

“Yes, yes, yes, now you have admitted! In reality this is foolishness and stepping the line and the sign of your destruction. That is why you are stuck in the bog in the jungle feeding on the smelly stinking corpses. Anyway, you come or not, I am going.”

The mother fox became convinced that her son had gone out of her control. So she gathered all her relatives to inform that he had gone mad. “Whatever it takes, control him.” They put him under 24 hour house arrest. Since he was a fortunate cub by the grace of God on day when all the foxes were asleep he escaped from them. He then reached the city. Seeing a fox cub the young and old people of the city came out with sticks and stones to beat him with. The fox cub became very upset with this treatment. So he said in a tearful voice, “O servants of Allah! I am a foreign speechless creature. I have come to you to seek refuge. Please don’t be tyrannical upon me. Then the cub recited, “O ye who believe! Fear Allah” (3:102) “But the wrong-doers,- for them has He prepared a grievous Penalty” (76:31) “and if any one fears Allah, He will remove his ills, from him, and will enlarge his reward.”(65:5)

The people hearing this from the fox became astounded! Everyone stood still wherever they were. They said to each other, “where did this fox cub learn such wisdom from? It won’t be right to kill it.” So the people left. So the cub took a step forward. He had arrived at the door of the great palace. The doorman saw him and shouted at the top of his voice. Seeing this the cub pleaded in a polite manner, “O father, Allah has made you His favourite Ashraful Makhluqat (the greatest creature). He has commanded “but do thou good, as Allah has been good to thee” (28:77) “Is there any Reward for Good - other than Good?” (55:60) When the doorman heard the sweet pleading of the cub his anger went away and he put his sword down. When the fox cub saw this he understood that Allah has instilled mercy in his heart so the fox quickly leapt on the doorman’s feet and started to cry. Seeing this he became pleased and allowed the fox to live with him. He arranged for the feeding of the fox and a quarter to sleep to. When the doorman noticed the fox to be very attentive he desired to teach him wisdom and knowledge. So he decided to teach him manners first of all. That is, how to behave in high places when dignitaries are present. So he started teaching how to salute by raising the hand, how to fold the hands and stand still – the fox learnt very quickly as he was very attentive.

Now, the fox had developed the habit that whenever he hears that the carriage of the minister is arriving he stands still with his hands folded, and when the carriage draws near he greets respectfully. When the carriage disappears he puts his hands on the ground. Likewise, used to do them same with all people who visited the royal palace. This went on for a few months. One day during the conversation with the king the minister mentioned, “Your Highness, a strange thing! The doorman is raising a fox cub. The cub is very clever, even people are nothing compared to its intelligence.”  Hearing this the king became amazed.

Suddenly, the desire for travel arose in the king. He commanded for a carriage to be prepared to the minister. “Bring the carriage to me. Tell them to make sure the roads are clean. Order those maintain the streets to wash it. Tell the gardener to crop the grass and tend to the flowers and trees to tip top condition. Inform the inhabitants of the city to be ready to greet me in straight lines when I pass through.” So the minister responsible for the administration informed everyone of their duties. And everyone did according to their duties. So the next day the kind sat on his carriage as planned. The rest of the officials arrived in their own carriages and stood behind the king’s. The band proceeded the royal carriage, the one with the flute, the one who walks with staff and the troops with the golden belts on; and the music went on the as carriages rolled.

When the carriages were out in their grandeur and glory, the fox cub seeing it thought to himself, “today the king himself is bringing his presence, let’s see what fate has for me in store!” He happily thought, “For this I have given up family and friends, indulgence and comfort, and had to travel far and wide. Left my homeland’s security for insecurity and risked my life. Let’s see what happens.” While the cub was thinking this the carriage suddenly drew close. As the fox was ready when he saw the kings gaze was fixed upon him he got up from his plank walked up to the carriage, saluted the king, then stood still with his hands folded. When the carriage arrived near he kissed the wheels and when the carriage went far away he put his hands on the ground and bowed until the end of the day. On the return journey of the king the fox did the same – greeting the VIPs and dignitaries in respectful manners, then putting his hands on the ground bowing until they disappear from vision.

The king was really impressed by the conduct of the fox. The next day the king discussed it with his minister. “What you said about the fox the other day is true! When I went out the other day, as soon as I reached the door I saw a strange creature!”

“That is why your highness I mentioned it to you.”

The king said, “Can you bring the cub to me?”

“I am going straight away to fetch it.”

“Look, I don’t want the doorman to be upset”

“What can I do?” replied the minister and went. He told the doorman about the king’s request. The doorman became really pleased. “The king is the possessor of me and that I own. What is this fox to me? Take him straight away.”

The minister became satisfied with the doorman’s conduct and sent the fox cub to the king and informed the king about the doorman. The king became really pleased with receiving the cub and with the doorman’s conduct. The doorman was thus rewarded amply. He was promoted too.

The king paid special attention to the fox cub while raising him. Even so that he gave food from his own plate to the fox cub to eat. He ordered silk and brocade clothing for the cub. The king arranged a tutor for the cub too.

The fox cub noticed that he got more than he had initially hoped for from the king. So he became more attentive towards the service of the king. He wanted to pay back for the king’s generosity. After the night meal the king would retire to his bedroom. The fox cub would follow him and stand by the royal bed standing upright, hands folded, guarding the king. After a few weeks of this vigil from the fox, the king thought to himself, “Wow, such a lowly creature with such high intelligence! He has surpassed humans. What can I teach him?” So he asked his ministers, “Buy a ball for me.” It was done. From that day, after the conclusion of the day’s business in the king’s spare time he would take the fox to the roof to play with it. He would kick the ball upwards and signal to the fox to catch it. Because the cub understood what the king desired he would catch it. After few days of practice the king used all his strength to kick the ball upwards for the cub to catch and the fox learnt to catch it. Seeing this, the king became fascinated and his deep love for the fox grew. It reached the point that when the king sat on his throne someone would carry the cub on his shoulders and place the cub by the foot of it. When the king concluded his business and retired to the royal quarters someone would carry the cub on his shoulders and bring him back to the king.

Meanwhile, after finishing its duty in the royal household the cub would run straight to his race and come back. As the saying goes, every race is attracted towards its own and has love for its kindred! He used to keep a distance and plead with them. “Look at my appearance, come with me, there is still time, it will be good. If you listen to me, then you will be honoured like I.” But never would his folk listen to him.

One day, while the king was sitting on his throne, the zookeeper came to him with the dead falcon in his hand. “Your highness, the royal falcon has died today.” The king disappointed when he saw that such a precious bird has died. His face became burdened with grief. But when he turned his face towards the fox the colours flooded back to his face. He thought to himself, “What is the value of this falcon compared to this creature?” The fox cub being present gathered that the king was upset because the falcon had died. He did not know how to help.

Few days later, as usual, the fox went to visit his folks. Near the waterfall was a path. Standing on the path he observed a dead carcass of an animal belonging to the city being devoured by the foxes. Due to the stench the cub could not get nearer to them. So he was observing from a distance. The foxes called out to him, “Son, come eat with us.” “God forbid,” he replied, “O virtuous people, this is a smelly dead haram (unlawful) thing. Does anyone eat these sorts? Leave it and come with me. See if you don’t get lovely things (ni’mat, bounties of Allah) to eat and better raiment to wear.” After listening, they replied, “O unfortunate one, you have disgraced us. You have brought the race into disrepute! Serving humans and obeying them.” The cub replied, “You are truly foolish. There is taste and satisfaction in serving and obeying humans, and raises the status. If you knew you would never flee from serving humans even at the deathbed. Allah has mentioned the likes of you, “Allah hath set a seal on their hearts and on their hearing, and on their eyes is a veil; great is the penalty they (incur).”  (2:7) The cub said, “If you had eyesight and hearing then you would never have been deprived from these bounties (ni’mat).”

While these arguments went on a flock of ducks swam in the lake by the leave of God. Now, a hungry wild falcon was perched on the treetop eyeing on the ducks to snatch. When the falcon darted over the fox cub’s head for its prey the cub leapt up and grabbed the falcon by its legs and started walking away. When the foxes saw what was happening they stopped eating the carcass and followed the cub saying “Wow, wow.” Because everyone knew this cub belongs to the royal palace no one tried to steal the falcon of the fox. At the end he entered into the king’s presence with the falcon. The king was amazed seeing with his own eyes what the cub had brought and picked it up in his lap. The whole courtroom erupted into wows and clapped in amazement. While al this was happening, the doorman came to the court, and said, “Your highness, the whole city is full of foxes. I cannot hold the gate any longer. Without reinforcement security is impossible.” On hearing this, the king, with selected individuals, came to the gate. The fox cub was with him too. It was full of foxes and foxes! When the foxes saw the cub being carried by the king they celebrated by saying, “bravo, bravo!” instead of “Wow wow”. Then the king commanded, “Drive these misfortunate creatures away.” When the decree was pronounced the people brought sticks and stones to charge them with, then the foxes running away started saying, “regrets, regrets” leaving the city.

Brothers in Islam please don’t think my story is useless. Look at the real meaning and think. We will suffer a similar fate. Brothers listen carefully, even now foxes have three calls. When they make the first call they say “wow, wow”, and the middle call is “bravo bravo” but the last call, however, is “regrets, regrets” before they stop. Thus, whoever disobeys Allah and this Prophet, peace be upon him, has to regret in the hashr (hereafter). …..

from Mir'atus Suluk