time, I grew weary of the pace and needed a respite, a quiettime in
which to gather my inner peace again. So I took the barest necessities
and went into the desert, to be alone in the endless space under the
vast sky,and to have only the stars and the sand for company.
It was a blessed time. Each day I awoke before the sun, and fell
asleep to the light of shooting stars. I prayed at the appointed times
and meditated early and late.I slept more soundly than I ever slept
before, and woke refreshed andhappy. The peace began to grow like a
clear pool in my heart.
I was sleeping one night when I heard a sound. Is it not true that a
tiny sound so often heralds great occurences? I heard the sound of a
scratching on my tent. Perhaps a desert rat, or the wind. I opened my
eyes, and all was dark. I peered into the darkness, and dimly
discerned a shape barelyoutlined in the faint starlight that permeated
the cloth of the tent. It was a man, stealthily entering.
I didn't want to intrude; his concentration seemed to be intense.
Besides, I was a little curious, so I lay and watched. He apparently
planned to rob me of all my possessions, not knowing I had only
brought the barest necessities. He rooted around for a few moments,
and stood up. I could see he had a good load on his back. In the faint
light I could just discern both of my table lamps and my golf clubs.
He exited the tent, and I could hear him depositing the booty on the
ground a little distance away. Just as I thought, he returned formore.
He was a little longer the second time, but when he stood, I saw he
was carrying my grandfather clock. Whenhe picked up my color
television, it was the last straw.
I jumped up and followed him out of the tent.
"Stop!" I cried. He froze in his tracks. Slowly, with trembling limbs,
he set his load on the ground, and turned.
"I am lost!" he stammered. "I was tryingto find my way and stumbled on
this tent."
"And decided to take everything in it?" I asked.
"You have caught me." He hung his head in shame. "I am at your mercy.
I have stolen, andI must pay the price."
I looked at him with what I hoped was a piercing gaze. "We have no
magistrates here, save that I was once a mulla. We do have common
sense and compassion."
He looked at me wonderingly. I went on."I see by your garb you are a
poor man, and by the doll showing from your pocket that you area
family man."
"I am," he replied. "We have fallen on hard times."
"For heaven's sake, don'tmake them harder, young man," I said."Where I
come from, if we do a job, we do it one hundred percent. You have been
sloppy, and have not completed your task. You forgot this." And I
handed him the small bag of gold I always keep at the foot of my bed.
He looked at me dumfounded. "What do you mean, effendi?"
"I mean this is your mostfortunate day," I replied."I have just this
night renounced ownership ofall my possessions, and returned them to
their rightful owner. Do you know who that is?"
"Allah?" he asked, weakly.
"But of course!" I cried, warming to my subject."All these goods are
not mine; they belong to Allah, and are at the disposal of everyone.
So you see, young man, by the greatest stroke of fortune, on this
night, ofall nights, in this tent of all tents, you did not steal,
because the goods belonged to you already.Now are you going to take
the gold or not?"
The young man was silent for a moment, then fell on his knees.
"Oh, great shaikh! You are beyond all wisdom! Ihave never heard
anything so wise or so compassionate. You are the most wise and
generous of all men! I repent of my misdeeds, and throw myself on your
mercy. Please take me as your disciple, and teach me your profound
philosophy."
"Ah, I am pleased with you, my son." I replied."You can never earn
more than a bachelor's degree with me, because I am a bachelor."
He looked up at me , wondering what nonsense this was. And surely,
wisdom and nonsense are often difficult to distinguish.
"I will take you as my companion and teach you what I can. You may
share my tent. Now that you have unburdened me of these possessions,
there is plenty of room!"
So that is how I met Tekka. He has since become a good and loyal
friend, as I am to him.
Peace be upon you; I must now depart.
--
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And Allah Knows the Best!
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Published by :->
M NajimudeeN Bsc- INDIA
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