By
Umm Amal – Hiba’s Team Writer
In the times of slavery, there was a master who loved his slave a lot. Whenever he sat to dine, before he took a morsel of his meal, he first offered it to his slave. The master was indeed humble, generous and kindhearted.
The slave, also a God fearing and grateful man accepted the food graciously and proved his loyalty at all times. It was a steady and tranquil relationship of give and take.
On a particular day, the master was sent a succulent melon as a gift. He cut the melon and as always presented the first slice of the delicious looking fruit to his slave. The slave bit into it and relished it till the very end.
The master observing his slave’s enjoyment, kept on offering the remaining slices to the slave, until the very last one remained.
He asked his slave: “Do you want this one too?”
The slave replied in the affirmative. “Yes.”
But the master decided to eat this one himself. As soon as he partook of the melon, he spat it out. It was the most bitter thing he had ever tasted.
In complete astonishment the master asked his slave: “How did you eat up the whole melon with such delight? Why didn’t you tell me that it was so bad?”
The slave responded humbly: “How could i not remember all those times you fed me the very best in the past? How could now i be ungrateful for a slight nuisance?”
This slave had a mindset of gratitude firmly ingrained in him. This is a true Momin, a muslim with Iman, who remains Allah’s (swt) slave in all seasons and loves Him irrespective of what Allah (swt) gives and what He withholds.
- A true slave of Allah (swt) recognizes that everything that he has is from Allah (swt), no matter who gave it to him or how it arrived? He knows the source of the blessing and hence submits to Allah (swt) with obedience.
- He accepts the bounty with dignity even if he does not like it, need it or actually dislikes it. He makes no complaints and uses it if he can.
- If he wants something else or more, he praises and thanks Allah (swt) Lord of the worlds and makes Dua. Allah (swt) Ar Raqueeb already knows what his slave wants but likes to hear it from him. If it is beneficial for him, Allah (swt) orders it for him and if not, He prevents it from him.
In return Allah (swt) grants Him unlimited reward in Aakhirah, when few will be saved. In Dunya, this slave for his servitude is granted Sakinah (tranquility) and Aafiya (security). His Iman is fortified and grows in the most unfavourable circumstances. He remains calm when others are restless. He trusts Allah’s (swt) Divine Order, when others suspect, mistrust and even leave the fold of Islam.
“That Allah may reward them (according to) the best of what they did and increase them from His bounty. And Allah gives provision to whom He wills without account ( i.e. limit).” (An Nur 24:38)
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