AL-ISLAAH PUBLICATIONS
The Story of an Eagle taking Rasulullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam's)socks
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THE STORY OF AN EAGLE TAKING
RASULULLAH(Sallaahu alaiyhi wassallam's) SOCKS
Once Rasulullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) after performing wudhu wanted to put on his
leather socks. An eagle came along, took one of the socks in its mouth and flew away.
Rasulullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) a was quite surprised at this and quite distressed.
However, after a short while, the eagle came back, turned the sock upside down towards the
ground and a black snake fell out of it. Then the eagle presented the sock to Rasulullah
(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) and said:
'O Messenger of Allah, the reason for this flying with the sock was that a snake was hidden
inside it;This was the cause of my insulting behaviour.
Allah ordered me to protect you, otherwise I had no other duty Than to be submissive and
utterly respect towards you." Rasulullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam),expressed his gratitude
to Allah Ta'ala and said: 'The incident which I considered a sad affair Was actually a case of
loyalty and mercy.
0 Eagle you carried my sock away and I became displeased,
You made me sad and I considered it a case of grief. The eagle replied:
'O Beloved for you this incident is a lesson of warning from Allah
So that you may be pleased with every verdict of Allah And consider it as a means of goodness.
And accept with pleasure from Allah if anything contrary to your wish takes place.
That anything which outwardly appears to harm you by Divine verdict
You may be certain that it is for your welfare and good.
Should any calamity take place, do not become saddened And be not grief-stricken when
any loss occurs.
Because whatever calamity overtakes you wards off a greater calamity
And any loss occurring is to ward off a greater loss". The eagle said:
'While flying in the air, I saw the snake inside the sock.
This was not as a result of my own speciality.
No! it was a reflection of your own light and your own blessings.
And Allah in His wisdom kept the snake hidden from you To give a special lesson".
LESSON
The lesson in this story is that a person should not become impatient and unduly worried when a
calamity comes. Instead one should think that it has come to ward off a greater calamity. In other words,
one should always pray for safety and make plans in that direction, but be patient over any calamity that
comes his way from Allah Ta'ala. The thought that it has come to ward off greater calamity, is a consolation
and eases the pain and suffering.
(MA'AARIF -e- MATHNAWI: HAZRAT HAKEEM AKHTAR SAHEB(D.B.)
