Islamic Stories - The Pious Man and theShopkeeper

There lived a pious man all by himself, who spentmost of his time in
praying, fasting and praising Allah. Almost all his waking hours were
utilised in meditation and devotions. He was very happy with his
spiritual progress. No wicked thoughts came to his mind and no evil
temptations entered his heart.
One night, he dreamt a rather disturbing dream.He saw that a
shopkeeper in the town was far superior to him in spirituality and
that he must go to him to learn the basics of true spiritual life.
In the morning, the pious man went in search of the shopkeeper. He
found him busy with his customers, selling goods and collecting money
with a cheerful face. He sat there in a corner of the shop and watched
the shopkeeper carefully. No signs of anyspiritual life at all, he
said to himself. His dream could not be true.But then he saw the
shopkeeper disappear topray his Salah. When he returned, he was busy
dealing with money matters again.
The shopkeeper noticed the pious man sitting in the corner and
asked:"As Salamu Alaikum, would you like something, brother?"
"Wa Alaikum As Salam. Oh! No! No!" said the pious man. "I don't wantto
buy anything, but I want to ask you a question." He then related his
dream.
"Well, that is very simple to explain," said the shopkeeper, "but you
will have to do something for me beforeI answer your question."
"I will do anything for you," replied the pious man.
"All right! Take this saucer; there is some mercury in it. Go to the
other end of the street and come back fast within half an hour. If the
mercury falls out of the saucer, you will hear nothing from me. There
you go now."
The pious man took the saucer and started running. The mercury nearly
wobbled out of the saucer. He saved it just in time, and slowed down.
Then he remembered he had to return within half an hour, so he started
walking at a fast pace. Atlong last he returned puffing and
panting."Here is your mercury, safe and sound," he told the
shopkeeper. "Now tell me the true interpretation of my dream."
The shopkeeper looked at the pious man's wearycondition and asked him:
"Well, friend, how many times did you remember Allah while you were
going from this end of the street to the other?"
"Remember Allah!" exclaimed the pious man. "I did not remember Him at
all. I was so worried about the mercury in the saucer."
"But I do remember Him all the time," said the shopkeeper. "When I
amdoing my business, I am also carrying mercury in a saucer. I am
fair, honest and kind to my customers. I never forgetAllah Ta'ala in
my dealings with other men."
"Men whom neither trade nor sale (business) diverts from the
remembrance of Allaah (with heart and tongue) nor from performing
As-Salaah (Iqaamat-as-Salaah) norfrom giving the Zakaah. They fear a
Day when hearts and eyes will be overturned (out of the horror of the
torment of the Day of Resurrection).That Allaah may reward them
according to the best of their deeds, and add even more for them out
of His Grace. And Allaah provides without measure to whom He wills"
[Al Quran, Surah an-Noor 24:37-38]

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