Hazrat Sheikh Junaid-e-Baghdadi (Radi Allahu anhu) earned his livelihood as a professional wrestler. As was the norm, the Leader of Baghdad announced one day, "Today, Junaid Baghdadi will demonstrate his skills as a wrestler, is there anyone to challenge him." An elderly man shakily stood up with his neck quivering and said, "I will enter the contest with him."
Whoever was witness to this scene could not contain themselves, they burst out howling with laughter, clapping their hands. The King was bound by the law. He could not stop someone who of his own free will entered the bout. The elderly man was given the permission to enter the ring. He was about sixty-five years old.
When Hazrat Sheikh Junaid-e-Baghdadi (Radi Allahu anhu) entered the ring, he was dumbfounded as was the King and all the spectators of the Kingdom who were present. The single thought that occupied their minds was, "How will this old man be able to fight?"
The old man addressed Junaid with these words, "Lend me your ears." He then whispered, "I know it is not possible for me to win this bout against you, but I am a Sayyid, a descendant of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). My children are starving at home. Are you prepared to sacrifice your name, your honour and position for the love of Allah's Prophet and lose this bout to me? If you do this I will be able to collect the prize money and thereby have the means to feed my children and myself for an entire year. I will be able to settle all my debts and above all, the master of both the worlds will be pleased with you. Are you, Oh Junaid, not willing to sacrifice your honour for the sake of the children of Rasulullah (peace be upon him)?"
Hazrat Sheikh Junaid-e-Baghdadi (Radi Allahu anhu)thought to himself, "Today, I have an excellent opportunity."In a display of fervour Hazrat Sheikh Junaid-e-Baghdadi (Radi Allahu anhu) executed a couple of maneuvers, demonstrating his finesse so that the King does not suspect any conspiracy. Junaid with a great display of antics did not use his strength and allowed himself to be dropped. The elderly man mounted his chest thus entitling him to the prize.
That night, Hazrat Sheikh Junaid-e-Baghdadi (Radi Allahu anhu) had a dream of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who said, "Oh Junaid, you have sacrificed your honour, your nationally acclaimed fame, your name and position which was heralded throughout Baghdad in the expression of your love for my children who were starving. As of today, your name is recorded in the register of the Auliya (friends of Allah)."
Thereafter, this great wrestler learnt to defeat his nafs (desires) and became one of the most eminent Auliya of his time!
Source: From the book "Tajalliat-e-Jazb" by Shaikh Hakim Muhammad Akhtar.
February 3, 2011
Testing the water
Once a Shaikh was traveling with a few of his followers. While they were passing a lake, Shaikh told one of his disciples, "I am thirsty. Do get me some water from the lake."
The disciple walked up to the lake. At that moment, a bullock cart started crossing through the lake. As a result, the water became very muddy and turbid.
The disciple thought, "How can I give this muddy water to Shaykh to drink?"
So he came back and told Shaikh , "The water in there is v
ery muddy. I don't think it is fit to drink."
After about half an hour, again Shaikh asked the same disciple to go back to the lake.
The disciple went back, and found that the water was still muddy. He returned and informed Shaikh about the same.
After sometime, again Shaikh asked the same disciple to go back.
This time, the disciple found the mud had settled down, and the water was clean and clear. So he collected some water in a pot and brought it to Shaikh.
Shaikh looked at the water, and then he looked up at the disciple and said,
" See what you did to make the water clean. You let it be, and the mud settled down on its own -- and you have clear water."
Your mind is like that too ! When it is disturbed, just let it be.
Give it a little time. It will settle down on its own.
You don't have to put in any effort to calm it down.
It will happen. It is effortless."
The disciple walked up to the lake. At that moment, a bullock cart started crossing through the lake. As a result, the water became very muddy and turbid.
The disciple thought, "How can I give this muddy water to Shaykh to drink?"
So he came back and told Shaikh , "The water in there is v
ery muddy. I don't think it is fit to drink."
After about half an hour, again Shaikh asked the same disciple to go back to the lake.
The disciple went back, and found that the water was still muddy. He returned and informed Shaikh about the same.
After sometime, again Shaikh asked the same disciple to go back.
This time, the disciple found the mud had settled down, and the water was clean and clear. So he collected some water in a pot and brought it to Shaikh.
Shaikh looked at the water, and then he looked up at the disciple and said,
" See what you did to make the water clean. You let it be, and the mud settled down on its own -- and you have clear water."
Your mind is like that too ! When it is disturbed, just let it be.
Give it a little time. It will settle down on its own.
You don't have to put in any effort to calm it down.
It will happen. It is effortless."
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