Aslam

^yourself many battles. He asked me: What is the age of the earth? He said: It's age is 7000 years. He asked: What is the duration of the Resurrection? He replied that it is 50,000 years. He said: Is there any man who does not take trouble for seven days only to live in happiness on the Resurrection Day?

The following are few instances of the saintly women who undertook great hardship in the path of religion.

(45) It is reported of the saint Habibah that when she performed night prayer, she stood upon her roof. She used to make her coat and Dopatta short and say: O God, all the stars have appeared, all men have fallen asleep, all the kings and emperors have closed their doors, every lover is engrossed in his love with his beloved. My condition before you is similar. Then she engaged herself in prayer. At dawn, she used to say: O God, this night has passed away and this day has come. I don't know whether you have accepted this night from me, so that I may be grateful to you, or you have rejected this night, so that I may be sorry for it. By Thy glory, I shall be steadfast to this path so long as you keep me alive. If you drive me away from your door, I can't go from you for what little grace and goodness I received from you.

(46) The saint Ozrah. It is reported of her that she used to keep awake the whole night with her eyes closed. At dawn, she used to say loudly: The worshippers passed the night in divine service, they have advanced in their way towards Thy pardon and mercy. O God, I invoke Thee without forsakirtg Thee. Include me as one of those who surpassed and give me the status of those who will live in Ilyyin paradise", and who have been brought near Thee and give me Taufiq or grace of the company of your pious souls. Thou art merciful, glorious and honourable.

358 THE BOOK OF CONSTRUCTIVE VIRTUES Vol-IV

Then she fell down in prostration and remained in that condition up to morning.

(47) The saint Shaoanah. Ihya-b-Bostami said: I was present one day in the assembly of the saint Shaoanah. When I heard her cries and bewailings, I said to one of my friends: When she remains alone, I wish to tell her : Take an easy path on yourself. He said : Tell her if you like. I came to Shaoanah and said : It would have been better if you would have taken a less strict path upon yourself and wept less. She was weeping and said : By God, I love to weep, so that my tears come to an end and then I shed blood till not a drop of blood remains within my body. Wherefrom comes my weeping ? She repeated it many times and then fell senseless.