Pleasant Stories & Anecdotes — Page 45
Pleasant Anecdotes—Intention 45 reason for this request. He told them that he had prayed fervently for his death at T ūs. It looked like that his prayers had not been accepted and he did not intend to deceive Muslims [that he was a pious person]. However, he slowly recovered from his illness and went to T ūs, where he fell ill and was buried upon his demise. One should become a believer like this. God does not give disgraceful death to a true believer. (Malf ūzā t, vol. 4, p. 153) Intention It is written in a book that once Junaid rta of Baghdad thought of going on a journey. On further consideration, he could not think of a purpose and intent for the journey, so he abandoned the plan, but the urge to travel overtook him again. He could not overcome his desire and started his journey, thinking that God had inspired him to go on this journey and followed a route. On his way, he saw a person lying under a tree in a miserable state. As soon as he saw Junaid, he said, ‘O Junaid! I have been waiting for you for a long time. Why have you taken so long?’ Junaid (may Allah’s mercy be on him) replied, ‘In reality, it was your attraction that repeatedly prompted me to take on this journey’. Every undertaking has destiny ordained by God. If it is not fulfilled, then one does not feel gratified. . . Embark on every journey for the sake of faith. (Malf ūzā t, vol. 4, p. 306–307)