Aslam

It is reported that Hazrat Eunus asked Gabriel: Give me information of one who is the most religious and pious man? Gabriel gave him information of a man. Small pox separated his hand and feet and destroyed his eyes and ears. He heard him say: O God, so long as you wished that these bodily limbs would do me benefit, you have kept them and when you wished, you have robbed them. O Pure, you have kept my hope in you. Abdullah-bin- Amer said: Once his son fell ill. He was extremely grieved at this and some one said: We fear for the old man as he may be inflicted with a danger for this young man. When his son died, Abdullah came out for his funeral prayer but he appeared more cheerful than others. When asked about the reason of this, Abdullah said: My sorrow was a blessing for him. When the order of God carne, I was pleased with it.

Masruq said: One rnan lived in a vast field. He had a dog, an ass and a cock. The cock ajvakened him for prayer, the ass carried for him water and other*necessary things and the dog watched him. A jackal came and took away the cock and the people fell aggrieved for him. The man was religious. He said: Perhaps it is for my good. Then a tiger came and killed an ass. The people fell sorry for him. The man said: Perhaps it is for my good. Then a certain disaster attacked the dog and he said: Perhaps there is good for me in this. The people rose from their sleep in the morning and saw that a gang of Dacoits were robbing of their entire properties and were making them prisoners. The religious

Vol-IV THE BOOK OF CONSTRUCTIVE VIRTUES 301

man said: They have suffered this disaster as they had asses, cocks and dogs, because hearing their voices, the dacoits got the clue and took them prisoners. He has been saved as he had no such things at that time. Then the owner of the house explained to his family members that only God knows what action will be good for the world and He does good to men in every action. So they should remain content with His decree in every circumstance.

It is reported that Jesus Christ while travelling came to a blind man afflicted with leprosy. Both sides of his body were paralysed and his flesh was melting owing to an attack of small pox. He was saying: All praise is due to God who saved me from many diseases which He gave to other men. Jesus Christ said to him: O man, what are the diseases from which God saved you? He said: O Spirit of God, I am better than the person in whose mind God did not give Marfat like me. The Prophet caught his hand and said: You have spoken the truth. Then the Prophet passed his hand over his body and instantly he was cured of all diseases and he made divine service wi th him for the restof his life.