Bismillahir
Rahmaanir Raheem
Sheikh
Shibli (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) was once harassed and persecuted by the people.
With a
lot of grief in his heart, he left the locality and after walking for some
time, sat down in an orchard, at a date palm, and leaned against its trunk.
Allah
Ta’ala is All-Seeing and All-Knowing. Allah Ta’ala was aware of the feeling of
isolation, and the sadness and hurt in the heart of Sheikh Shibli (Rahmatullah
‘alayh). Allah Ta’ala offered His friend some comfort and consolation. In the
form of a Karamat (miracle), Allah Ta’ala gave the palm tree the ability to
talk.
The date
palm said: “O Shibli! Become like me!”
Sheikh
Shibli (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) asked: “And
what is your description?”
The date
palm responded: “They throw stones at me and I throw fruit at them!”
Remain
patient. If the people throw criticism, ridicule, and they cause hurt and pain
in the heart, we should throw the fruits of Akhlaaq (good character) and good morals. Allah
Ta’ala will change the hearts; if not, we will receive rewards in abundance in
the Hereafter.
May Allah
Ta’ala grant us the Taufeeq.
Adapted from a Majlis
of Sheikh,
Hadhrat Moulana Saleem Dhorat (Daamat Barakaatuhum),
Leicester, United
Kingdom.