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Chapter II: Patience and Gratefulness

It has been reported that when the weeping of David continued for long and it produced no benefit, his hands became lean and thin, his thought were heavy and he said: O God, don't you feel mercy on me seeing my condition? God then sent revelation to him: O David, forget your sin and I am now remembering your weeping. He said: O Lord, how can I forget my sins? Before I committed sin, the current of torrents stopped when I recited the Zabur, the blowing of wind stopped, the birds in flocks spread shades over my head and surrounded me. O Lord, that was between You and me. Now there is nothing of it.
God then revealed to him: O David, you were in that condition before for extensive love for divine service and strong attachment. Now there is this condition owing to sin. O David, I created Adam up to My image, I created him with My own hand.
I instilled life into him from My Spirit, I made My angels prostrate before him. I adorned him with My dress of honour. I put upon his head the crown of My honour. I created for him his mate seeing him alone. I put him in My paradise. But when he disobeyed My word, I drove him out dishonored and clothless. O David, listen to Me. I am telling the truth. You have obeyed My word for which I accepted your prayer. But when you disobeyed My word, I rejected you. I will accept you if you return to Me inspite of what has happened to you.

(10) The sage Ibn Qasir reported: I heard that whenever David wished to repent, he used not to eat and drink before it and to cohabit with his wife for seven days. When only one day remained, his pulpit was once taken out He ordered his son Solaiman to call all to hear his bewailings. Then the beasts and birds came out and men and women assembled in thee field.
Then David ascended on the pulpit and all sat around him .
including Solaiman. Then Prophet David after reciting praise of God wept and shrieked and began his song of repentance. It was so forceful and impressive that a party of men and beasts and birds expired. When Solaiman saw this, he said; O father, the

Vol-IV THE BOOK OF CONSTRUCTIVE VIRTUES 139

audience have become exasperated and many men, birds and beasts expired'. At this, he fell into swoon. Solaiman then carried him on a palanquin. When he recovered he entered his praying place and after closing its doors said: O Lord, are you dissatisfied with David? Solaiman sought permission to enter the room with a dish of food and said: O father, eat the food and gather strength.

(11) The sage Rakkashi reported: One day Prophet David came out to admonish the people the number of whom was forty thousands. After learning his sermon, thirty thousand persons breathed their last. Only ten thousands could return home. When his body was about to fall out of fear of God, his men made him stand on his feet.

Source: Imam Al-Ghazali, Ihya Ulum al-Din (Revival of the Islamic Sciences)
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