I thoroughly enjoyed Thursday's sharing. Let me reproduce what was delivered to the best of my memory what was told by Habib. (oral tradition not being my strongest point). He was actually referring to a sollihin of the family name Al-Sagoff who frequented Ba'alwie mosque and passed away in 1982. There was a majlis (function) in which he reminded everyone of the importance of searching for rizeki. Habib was recounting what was told.
PART I
Habib said that according to the esteemed Almarhum Syekh Alsagoff, when searching for rizeki ( income, sustenance ) make sure its not just halal ( legitimate) but of Baraqah (Lord's Grace) There was a poor man who had a dream for which he was told by an old white bearded that he would get 1000 dinars. The poor man queried as to whether the 1000 dinars was of baraqah?, to which the older man in his vision replied NO. Upon hearing the reply, the poor man said that he will not accept the 1000 dinars
On the second night he had the same dream. The old man with the beard appeared and told him if he wanted 100 dinars?, to which the poor man asked the same question; is the money of baraqah?. The replied, similar to last night's was NO, it was not baraqah. Again he rejected the offer.
On the third night he had the same dream, for the old man with the beard reappeared and told him if he wants 10 dinar?, to which the poor man asked the same question; is the money of baraqah?. The replied, similar to last night's was NO, it was not baraqah. Again he rejected the offer.
As the dreams took place, the poor man kept the dreams to himself, not uttering a single word to anyone else.
On the fourth name, the same apparition appeared in his dreams. This time, he was offered 1 dinar, in which he asked again; Is the rizeki of baraqah? This time round the answer was YES. The poor man, said to the old man that this time he could happily accepted the gift. The apparition told him where he could find the dinar. It was buried at the foot of a tree a few villages away.
The next morning, excited, he told his wife of his dreams over the last four nights. Incensed his wife scolded him by saying that their miserly lives would have improved if he had taken the 1000 dinars. She could not believe that her husband was so naive and foolish in in rejecting such amounts of money. She mocked her husband by calling him 'Baraqah face'.
Her husband, undiminished in his exuberance, did not heed his wife's barbs and proceeded to locate the tree that he was told in his dream,. Upon reaching the tree in his dream, he dug up the ground and found the 1 dinar that his dream had foreclosed. Excited he went home and showed his wife the money. His wife grew into a fit of rage and refused to talk to him, not understanding how he could have wasted a golden opportunity to provide a lifetime of income for his family.
Story goes that the the man then walked out of his house. He wanted to buy something with his dinar. He saw a man selling fish and he managed to buy 3 fishes for 1 dinar. Excited he brought it home. When his wife saw the fish, she became despondent, telling him now that the fish once consumed will be gone.And tomorrow the poverty will set in. She reminded him again of his foolishness for allowing a golden opportunity to slip by. As she was giving him a shelling, she was preparing the fish for dinner. As she cut one of the fish, to her surprise and delight came out , emeralds and precious stone that was infinite in value from its bowels.
Baraqah is important to us who have to work for a living. Our attitude, preparation, conduct to our clients, bosses, hard work and professionalism, makes the money that we receive more of value than one that is earned in a half-hearted way. For us teachers, the attention we put into our jobs, care we give our students, comfort to our colleagues and allegiance to our school and country whilst delivering important messages that has an impact on our students' future are testimonies of how it makes our rizeki into one of baraqah.
I have always believed that the food we put on our table must be of baraqah for it is going to be flesh and blood for our family members. If the source of the rizeki is illegitimate or not gainfully earned then bad will come out of it. But if it was acquired in the true spirit of duty and commitment tempered with a high degree of love and care, then we hope it is one of baraqah and only Allah will grant the blessing son to us. This parable underscored what I have always believed in about work, duty and the commitment expected towards work and earning a pay.
I will never be able to buy fish that has emeralds in them, but without sounding Riyaak (boastful), I hope, God willing I will never lose an opportunity to make meaning and a difference into the lives of students and teachers thrusted in my care. Insya'allah. Ya Rabbal Allamin.
(Apologies for the errors if any in trying to recall. Errors as usual are from me, knowledge and ilm from Allah swt)
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