7
he let them be.
Image courtesy of: http://community.webshots.com/user/sumiah
The Gate of fasting
Waali approached closer a little hesitant because he has become
impressed by the steadiness of the man who was now smiling at him.
He uttered, "Peace be upon you, brother!" "And Peace be upon you
as well," the man answered. Waali was uneasy about the way he
could ask about the birds, so he looked around and first saw a
beautiful gate nearby. In the gate golden letters spelled "Ar-Rayan".
So he asked the man what they meant. "This is the gate of the ones
who fast, and this gate calls only the ones who observe fasts. For
them, there are here plenty of things: fruits in abundance, any that
they may select, water flowing constantly and of the purest with
goblets shining beakers and cups filled out of clear-flowing
fountains. We have also rivers of wine, but of a kind that resembles
more honey than alcoholic beverages to be found on earth. Muslims
who drink from them here do not feel after-ache, nor do they suffer
intoxication. The people who deserve this garden climbed each step
with a fast, and when they reached this place, it was closed forever.
Such are the gardens of which we have been made heirs for our good
deeds in life. I made these two gardens blossom even if every plant
grows instantly without my help; I asked for this special gift because
I always loved to work the earth; you see, I used to live in Egypt.
The words Ar-Rayan were carved next in the gate, which means "the
fast." Watching the inscription, we can at all times remember and
talk about our time on earth."
"O!" said Waali admiringly. "And that is why you are here?"
"Yes. I used to fast every other day since it is the best fast for
Muslims. But in fact, I was not saved because of my fast. My story
is a little bit more complicated."
"Would you care to explain it to me?" said Waali very much
intrigued. He was sure now that he had fell into Eden, thus he was
even more anxious to know more about its inhabitants.
8
The sinner repented
" I was a policeman, in my youth, and was fond of wine which I
would drink like a fish. I drank day and night and led a carefree life.
I bought a beautiful slave-girl whom I loved most dearly. I had a
daughter from her, a lovely child. You may have seen her already
near our mansion. At the time, and till now, I was very fond of her
and she was also very fond of me. When this baby daughter began to
walk and talk, I loved her all the more and she remained in my
company all the time. The innocent child had a strange habit.
When she saw a glass of wine in my hands, she would snatch it away
and would spill it on my clothes.
Being fond of her I did not scold her. As fate would have it, my
innocent child died when she was two years old and I was stunned
with shock and heart-sore with bitter grief.
One night, the fifteenth of Sha’ban (Shab-e-Baraat) in the Muslim
calendar, I was dead drunk and went to sleep without performing my
evening prayer, the Isha Salaah. (Even the drunks of that time used
to pray Salaah.)
Image courtesy of: http://www.al-islam.org/gallery
I had a most horrible dream, in which I saw that it was the Day of
Resurrection, with men coming out of their graves, and I was one of
those who were being driven to the Place of Assembly. (Maidaan-e-
Hashr). I heard the noise of something following me, and, looking
back, I saw a huge serpent chasing me close behind. Ah! It was a
most horrible sight; the serpent had blue cat-like eyes, its mouth was
wide open and it was running towards me, most furiously! I ran
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