The story of Abul Hasan and the Lion

I read this beautiful true story couple of days ago and thought I’d share it with you all.  This is a rough translation from Arabic:  There used to be a dictator by the name of Ahmed ibn Tawlun in Egypt.  He was extremely unjust and oppressive.  It was said that he had killed 18,000 people by starvation alone.  

One day, a man by the name of Abul Hasan came to him and rebuked him by saying that he [ibn Tawlun] had oppressed his people and to fear Allah. These words alone were enough to enrage ibn Tawlun.  He ordered his men to bring a hungry lion and to set it upon Abul Hasan whilst the public watched on.  

So strong was the emaan of Abul Hasan that he sat there unfazed while there was a hungry lion which could devour him at any moment.  Then something strange started happening.  The people watched in amazement as the lion proceeded then stepped back, roared and then became quiet. It then lowered its head, came close to Abul Hasan, sniffed him and then left without harming him.  The people were shocked.  Yet, this wasn’t the most amazing part of the story.

ibn Tawlun called Abul Hasan and asked him: Tell me, what were you thinking when the lion was with you? Abul Hasan replied with: I was thinking about the saliva of the lion, if it touched me, whether it is pure or impure (tahir or najs).  ibn Tawlun was amazed and asked: Were you not afraid of the lion?  Abul Hasan replied with: No.  Indeed Allah sufficed me with regards to that…

True happiness, my dear brother or sister, is knowing that nothing can ever harm you without the permission of Allah.  Sufficient is Allah for a true believer.