THE VOICE WITHIN

There once lived a man of great wealth, given every comfort and luxury by Allah. He had a servant who was slightly foolish. One day the rich man called him and presented him with a gift, saying: “Keep this in a safe place until you find someone more foolish than yourself. When you do, give it to him.”

The servant replied: “Very good, master”

Some years passed, then the rich man fell ill. Physicians treated him but there was no sign of recovery. Finally, losing all hope, he called for his faithful servant and said: “I am leaving now. If I have caused you any grief, please forgive me.”

“Master, where are you going?”

“Where everyone must go.”

“When will you return?”

“I am going to a place from where there is no return.”

“Have you made preparations for your comfort there, master?”

“I cannot”

“Have you made arrangements to safeguard yourself from heat, cold and other discomforts?”

“That is impossible.”

“What have you done about your food and drink, master?”

“Nothing.”

Hearing this, the servant laughed and said: “This is most surprising! In your temporary home here, you made all arrangements for your joy and comfort — an enormous dwelling, lovely garden and park, a large retinue of servants to do your every bidding, ornate carriages, many shops and farms, and all sorts of luxuries that life can offer. But for your permanent abode you know not where, you have made absolutely no preparations whatsoever.”

With life ebbing away, as the rich man sadly pondered over what could have been, he heard his servant’s parting words: “Tell me master! Where will I find someone more foolish than you? Hence I am returning your gift.”

Another rich man learnt a lesson from his servant who was hard-working, honest and God-fearing. They had been on a journey and dawn was breaking when they heard the muezzin’s call from a mosque. Taking his master’s permission, the servant joined the prayers, promising to return as soon as possible.

As the master waited outside, the Salah was completed and the worshippers streamed out, their faces aglow. Before long, the Imam too left for home. Hurrying to the entrance of the mosque, the master indignantly shouted at his servant: “All the faithful and even the Imam have left, then what are you doing alone inside? Who is detaining you?”

And the servant’s voice rang out, “O master, the same One who is preventing you from entering is keeping me inside.”

— the harbinger