From the collection ‘Shaykh ul Aalam’s Advice for the Seeker’
» Watch the video clip with English subtitles here
The Shaykh said:
Bayazid Bustami, may Allah be pleased with him, with several of his companions, was going somewhere in a valley between two mountains. They stood in this narrow valley, and there they began to unveil [spiritual] mysteries and secrets. He had just began to discuss these mysteries and secrets when [suddenly] he stopped. A dog approached. It ran but couldn’t find a way through, so it went back and ran off again. Finally, the dog began to bark. Its voice reached the ears of Janab Bayazid Bustami.
After a moment of silence, he said to his companions: “Leave the path; the dog is asking us to give way [to him].”
“Leave the path. The dog is seeking the path.”
When they had moved, the dog arrived without fear and stood directly in front of Bayazid Bustami, may Allah be pleased with him. [It began to] bark and cry out, expressing many things, making a great amount of noise and then left.
He (Bayazid Bustami) remained silent for some time.
His companions asked, “Huzoor, the dog came and stood immediately in front of you and then left, after having loudly raised its voice in various ways. So, what do you make of this?”
He replied: “The dog first said:
‘Why did you leave the path? Are you one who shows the Path, or one who abandons it?’
And secondly:
‘Do not discriminate, o Bayazid! For, I am a dog, right? My Lord created me as a dog, and He is pleased at my being a dog. Therefore, since my Lord is pleased that I am a dog, although you may view me with disgrace a thousand times, I am pleased because my Lord is pleased!
Even if you would hurl stones at me a thousand times, shun me away, not allow me to approach you, I am happy. Why? Because I am part of the creation of my Allah. And when Allah decreed, He Wrote my appearance, my status and my end. I am pleased with the Will of my Lord.
Bayazid! If I – as a dog, an impure and disliked creature, one completely forbidden and cursed – if I am pleased, then by the connection of Allah’s Beloved, you have come donning the garment of His Love – therefore do not be arrogant in life! The Lord is one for all!
And just as I am content with my Lord, o mankind, be content with the decisions of your Lord!'”
This is indeed an excellent attribute of a creation [of Allah]; to adopt the Way of your Creator, and embrace the Will of the Creator as your own wish. [Then] you will be happy your entire life!”
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