The Mirror of the Excellences of Islam — Page 554
AN ADDENDUM MY LIFE, ANCESTORS, AND BRETHREN IN FAITH 553 horse that I felt sleepy and Allah sent a revelation to me. He gave me a piece of news which I never imagined, nor did I have any intentions to do so, ever. Allah commanded me to demand the hand of his elder daughter and to inform him that he should first accept me as his son- in-law in order to acquire my land. Moreover, I was commanded that I should give him the land which he demands as a gift. Besides, I should add some more land and treat him graciously, but on the condition that he should give his elder daughter in marriage to me. On top of this, this whole matter should remain a secret between me and him: ‘If you agree to this, surely you will find me among those who agree too. And if you do not agree to this, then let it be known to you that if this girl is given to somebody else in marriage, it will not be blissful for him nor for you. If you do so, great sufferings will befall you, the most grave of them being your death. Moreover, you will die after three years from her nikāḥ [marriage], rather your death is near and it is approaching you while you are neglectful of it. Likewise, the one who gets married to her will also die within two and a half years of his marriage. This has been decreed by Allah. So, do whatever you wish to do—I am just playing the role of an adviser for you. ' Upon this, he frowned, turned his face, and became one of those who reject the truth. Then I wrote to him a letter with the help of Allah, the Gracious, the Beneficent. I started this letter as follows, 'In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. ' Further, I wrote: 'My dear! Listen! Why did you take my words lightly and deemed my truth to be false? By God! I did not want to be strict in your matter, rather you will find me among those who are kind. Pay heed! I am making a firm promise that if you accept my proposal and go against the will of your kin, I will give you a share from my own land as well as from the forest. In this way, the conflict between us will reach an end. Allah will purify the hearts of my clan as well as my close relatives, and all your desires will be fulfilled according to your wish. Your poverty will end. Thus, you will be one of those who prosper and not of those who are destroyed. The truth remains the truth. I am telling you the truth that