Respecting Allah’s Name

By Mawlana Junayd Makda Sahib

Respecting Allah’s Name

Long ago there lived a man in Baghdad by the name Bishr al Haafi (Bishr the Barefooted).

Bishr was an alcoholic and would spend most his nights in the bar drinking wine and enjoying himself.

One night, as he walked through the streets, he found a piece of paper on the side of the road with the words, ‘Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem’ (In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate).

Bishr, seeing Allah Ta’aala’s name on this paper, picked it up and without thinking much of it, cleaned it and perfumed it. He then returned home and placed it very respectfully in a safe place.

Without thinking much of this action, he went to sleep, not knowing his life was about to take a huge turn. In his sleep, he saw a dream and a voice calling out to him saying, “You perfumed My name in this world, so I shall perfume your name in both worlds.” When Bishr woke up, his inner condition had changed. He no longer found a desire for wine or fun, but rather wanted to worship Allah Ta’aala and acquire knowledge.

He travelled to Kufa, Basra and Makkah and studied Hadeeth from great personalities such as Abdullah Ibn Mubarak, Fudhail Ibn Ayaz and Malik Ibn Anas rahimahumullah.  

His life was transformed and his name began to shine. Till today, his name is found as a narrator of hadeeth and till today people study his life and admire him. All this because he did what seemed a little action, but had great value in the eyes of Allah Ta’aala.

Moral:

Never think of an action as being insignificant. We will never know what effect it will have in our lives till we actually carry it out. The smallest action can result in big changes in our fortune and likewise, the smallest of mistakes can also result in us losing everything.

Other Stories


What happens when you backbite




We Cannot Hide from Allah




Visiting a Brother to make Allah Happy




Umar R.A helping others




The Truthful Boy




The pigeon, the eagle and the hunter




The Neighbour In Jannah




The Man who Entered Jannah for One Action