Pleasant Stories & Anecdotes — Page 33
Pleasant Stories—Preaching And Actions Of A Cleric 33 fetched some water from a well and quenched the thirst of the dog. The Holy Prophet (may peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said that God had accepted her act and will forgive all her sins although she had been sinful all her life. (Malf ūzā t, vol. 6, p. 26) Preaching and Actions of a Cleric Look at the clerics of today. They preach others but do not follow their own advice. That is why they are not trusted at all. Once there was a cleric preaching and his wife was also among the audience. He preached about charity, alms and salvation in his sermon. His sermon moved a woman and she removed one of her gold anklets and donated it to him. Upon this, the cleric said, ‘O Noblewoman! Do you wish that your other ankle burns in Hell?’ On hearing this, the woman handed over her second anklet as well. When the cleric arrived home, his wife also desired to give charity for the needy people. The cleric said, ‘Such sermons are only for preaching and are not meant for your action. If we do not make requests like this, then our livelihood will be affected’. There is a simile depicting the activities of such people: Preachers put up magnificent shows while standing at the pulpit They engage in quite different activities when they are in seclusion. (Malf ūzā t vol. 5, p. 316)