The Ocean of Light — Page 134
134 are engrossed with adulterous women and fine wine and mutton kebabs. They became keen on listening to songs sung by beautiful, famous and talented singers. And when their wealth dwindled, their money was lost, their low-life friends abandoned them, their pockets became empty, and doors were closed unto them, then they created a trap using the verses of Sufi poets and began delivering sermons and exhortation so that the paid him a surprise visit like someone visiting a holy personage and found him consuming wine along with his debauched friends. So that person exclaimed, “Accursed one! These are your actions while that was your word?” But he gave an answer that perplexed the questioner. He said show me any religious leader who does not drink wine and who eschews adultery and singing. Similarly, there used to be a religious leader in a village close to mine and he used to deny my status. One day he consumed wine in the company of a disbeliever who was inclined towards Islam. The disbeliever cursed him and said, “If the leaders of Islam are like this person, then my disbelief is better for my world instead of me becoming one of these wretched ones. ” (Author) Shar h ul-Wiq a yah and al-Hid a yah [ f i Shar h Bid a yat al-Mubtad i ] are among the most influential compendia of Hanafite jurisprudence. [Publisher]