Difficult Nature
There is a famous Sufi fable (Story 5, Golestan of Saadi) of Shaikh Saadi. In this story,
Instead of punishing with capital punishment, the caliph released a young innocent-looking dacoit on a kind minister's request and put him on probation under supervision of that minister. That boy exhibited good results under the cultured environment, but soon he returned to his old nature, and started sitting in the bad company. He fled after killing the kind minister, and returned to the same abode of robbers where he used to reside previously.
Shaikh Saadi has discussed the fact that it is useless to make efforts on changing someone's nature, because he will easily return to his old traits.
Restraint
"Haya" (or shame) plays an important role in survival. It is a contant of faith, as an Islamic tradition pronounce 'the shame is a part from faith' (Al-hayau minal Eiman). It creates a reluctance in the beginner, and responsibility in the penitent.
Punjabi language has an idiom: "the reveal is fallen" (Jhaka Lath Jana). If first time is done, then second time will be easy, and without reluctance. It is very easy for a previously habitual to revert to his old activities. He must have a strong faith and will power!
Education for change and the role of family
Ataul Haq Qasimi is a famous linguist of Urdu language. He also has put some light on this subject in his Urdu column. The psychiatrist are of the opinion that the evolutions in the man's basic personally is completed until 7 years old. After this, the changes of little nature can normally be expected, but it is least possible for any basic change to occur. So, sometimes the childhood sense of deprivations and bad company spread into the whole personality like a cancer. And if this disease is of inherited nature (family habit) then there is no way of survival. The venal herds placed within our all strata could not receive the education from their family, which could teach them to differentiate between the livelihood well-earned by fair means (Rizq-i-Halah) and the black money (Rizq-i-Haram/forbidden by Allah).
Ishq (Love/Eros): The Revolutionary Power of Crisis can Bring Change
It is very difficult to change a man's nature. But with a crisis. The power of crisis can put a human into the personal revolution. For example, you may meet a rogue person today. And then he disappears from the scene for months. And then you happen to come across the same person in future, and you would get surprised to find him totally changed. A kind, and well-mannered person. This means, some changed happened on him. Some crisis might have come in his life. Maybe the love.. or some other.
The best of crises is that of love and the pain of it. It may bring a change in human nature.
The best of crises is that of love and the pain of it. It may bring a change in human nature.
Love is the ark appointed for the righteous,
Which annuls the danger and provides a way of escape.
Sell your cleverness and buy bewilderment.
Cleverness is mere opinion, bewilderment intuition.
~ Rumi
Which annuls the danger and provides a way of escape.
Sell your cleverness and buy bewilderment.
Cleverness is mere opinion, bewilderment intuition.
~ Rumi
Iqbal and the Theory of Tempest
The great Indian poet and dreamer of Pakistan, Hazrat Allama Iqbal, also taught the same passion in his Urdu and Persian poems, and how to acquire this revolution:
Khuda tujhe kissi toofan say aashna kar day
Keh tere behr ki mojon main izterab naheen.
Tujhe kitab say mumkin nahin faragh keh too
Kitab khawan hay magar sahib-e-kitab nahin.
~ Iqbal
Keh tere behr ki mojon main izterab naheen.
Tujhe kitab say mumkin nahin faragh keh too
Kitab khawan hay magar sahib-e-kitab nahin.
~ Iqbal
May God set you in propinquity to some tempest,
for the currents of your sea are devoid of agitation.
The book (Quran) cannot be your salvation,
for, you are only its (mere) recitalist; not a man-of-book (or, never followed or acted on it).
for the currents of your sea are devoid of agitation.
The book (Quran) cannot be your salvation,
for, you are only its (mere) recitalist; not a man-of-book (or, never followed or acted on it).
Ta kuja tawaf-e-charagh-e-mehfale
Zeaatish-e-khud soz agar dari dilay
~ Iqbal
Zeaatish-e-khud soz agar dari dilay
~ Iqbal
How long this circling round the assembly’s fire? Then burn yourself in your own fire,
Have you a heart?
Have you a heart?
Aye Amine as amanat bekhabar
Gham makhur under zameerey khud niger
~ Iqbal
Gham makhur under zameerey khud niger
~ Iqbal
you the trustee is oblivious of the great treasure that has been bestowed upon you, Don’t despair, look inward, to see what lies within you.
Invitation to Change: The Sufi Principle of Acceptance, love and generosity:
Acceptance (of every human) is an Islamic idea. Untouchability or hatred is not allowed. The Sufi teachers (Shaikh) are the one who adopted this teaching of Islam, and opened their doors for everyone despite from any religion or caste or colour. They never got disappointed from the human nature. They believed that one day the stone will bear vegetation. They worked hard on the hearts of the people and turned them into gold with the power of love. They never outcasted or degraded any person on the basis of any fault or defect , which was not his own chosen, or out of his knowledge.It was famous saying that no one go back empty-handed from the generous threshold of a Shaikh. A thief once broke into a Sufi Shaikh 's home. The Shaikh caught him red handed. The generous Shaikh did not wanted him go empty-hand, but his home had nothing as valuables. Only a thing he could give was 'the status of the Qutb' (the highest-ranking saint, the focal point of all spiritual energy). He made a thief the Qutb of time.
They never refuse anyone. They invite the people to Allah. They love everyone and impart to anyone, who asks for the freshness of wisdom, spiritual peace and cordial satisfaction.
Come, come, whoever you are.
Wonderer, worshipper, lover of leaving.
It doesn't matter.
Ours is not a caravan of despair.
Come, even if you have broken your vow
a thousand times
Come, yet again, come, come.
~ Rumi
Wonderer, worshipper, lover of leaving.
It doesn't matter.
Ours is not a caravan of despair.
Come, even if you have broken your vow
a thousand times
Come, yet again, come, come.
~ Rumi
