Hadhrat Zunnun Misri (rahmatullahi alayh)
Hadhrat Zunnun Misri (rahmatullahi alayh)
WHO HE WAS
Prior to his renunciation of the world, Zunnoon Misri (rahmatullahalayh) was told of an Aabid (worshipper) who had imposed severe penances on himself. When Zunnoon Misri located the Aabid, he found the latter hanging upsidedown from a tree. The Aabid was addressing himself, saying: "O nafs! As long as you do not comply with my wishes in worshipping Allah, I shall keep you in this suffering until you perish."
This sight reduced Zunnoon to tears. The Aabid said: "Who is weeping for a shameless sinner?" After exchanging salaams, Zunnoon went infront of the Aabid who said: "My body is not
co-operating in the Ibaadat of Allah. I am therefore punishing it."
Zunnoon: "I was under the impression that you had committed murder or some other major sin, hence this server self-imposed punishment."
Aabid: "Thereis no greater sin than association with people. All sins stem from this sin."
Zunnoon: "Truly, you are a great Zaahid."
Aabid: "If you want to see a great Zaahid, go on to that mountain."
Zunnoon Misri climbed the mountain. When he reached the top he saw in the distance a hut, as he approached thehut, he saw a decomposed human leg laying nearby. From inside the hut emerged a buzrug with one leg. Obviously, the cut-off leg had belonged to him. When Zunnoon asked for an explanation, the buzrug said: "One day while sitting in my place of Ibaadat, a beautiful woman passed nearby. In a moment of weakness my nafs urged me to get up to take a look. As I got up and took a step forward, I heard aVoice rebuking: 'Have you no shame! For30 years you have been worshipping AllahTa'ala, but today you are obeying shaitaan!"
Over come with fear, shame and remorse, I cut off the leg which had taken the first step in the direction of transgression. Why have you come to this evil sinner? If you wish to meet a great Aabid, go to the peak of that mountain."(He pointed in the direction of the mountain.)
The height of the mountain deterred Zunnoon Misri from making an attempt to climb it. The buzrug then narrated the following account of the Aabid:
"He has been worshipping on that mountain for a considerable period of time. Once when someone said to him that a person obtains food only by working and earning a living, he vowed not to eat any food earned by a human being. He passed his time in Ibaadat. After undergoing the rigours of hunger for sometime. Allah Ta'ala sent a swarm of bees. He lived on the honey prepared by these bees."
The meetings and talks of these saints made a profound impact on Zunnoon Misri. He repented and resolved to spend his life in the remembrance of AllahTa'ala. As he came down the mountain he observed a blind bird on a tree. While he was reflecting on the source of the blind bird's sustenance, he saw the bird settling on the ground and pecking the soil with its beak. Miraculously a tray filled with seeds, emerged. Then there emerged a second container filled with water having the fragrance of roses. After satisfying itself, the bird returned to the tree-top and the utensils miraculously disappeared. Zunnoon's Tawakkul and Yaqeen were solidified by this episode.
As he walked in the forest he met a few of his old friends who had discovered a trunk of treasure. They were busy sharing the treasure. A board on which was inscribed the Name of AllahTa'ala was also with the treasure. When theyoffered Zunnoon a share of the treasure, he declined and took the board and kissed the Name of AllahTa'ala. That night in a dream a Voice said to him: "The others chose the wealth of the world. You chose Our Name. We have opened the doors of knowledge and wisdom for you."
A WONDERFUL MYSTERY
Once Hadhrat Zunnun Misri (rahmatullah alayh) set out all alone on a journey to Makkah and Madinah. After a few days of walking through the wilderness, the little food provision he had was depleted. In the middle of the desert he was overcome with hunger and he abandoned all hope of life. Suddenly he saw in the desert a very lush tree. Its branches were hanging close to the ground.
He went towards the tree with the intention of remaining in its shade until Maut claimed him. When he reached the tree and was just about to sit down, one of the branches suddenly grabbed his leather bag in which there was a very small amount of water. As the bag was grabbed, the little water was spilt and the bag was empty.
Convinced that death was imminent, Hadhrat Zunnun (rahmatullah alayh) laid down in the shade of the tree. Suddenly he heard a human voice. It was clear that this voice emanated from a grief stricken heart. The voice was supplicating: 'O My Master! O My Beloved Friend! If You are pleased with me, increase Your Pleasure for me.'
Hadhrat Zunnun (rahmatullah alayh) went towards the voice. Soon he came to a man who was extremely handsome and his face was radiant with celestial light. He was lying on the desert sand on the verge of death. Vultures were hovering above in anticipation of his death. When Zunnun greeted him, he responded with Salaam and said: 'O Zunnun! After depletion of your food provision and the spilling of your water, you lost all hope and sat down (awaiting death).'
Zunnun sat down close to him and began to cry. While he was crying with grief, suddenly there appeared a tray of food. The ailing man lightly struck the ground with his heel, and a fountain of water began bubbling. The water was whiter than milk and sweeter than honey. The man said: 'O Zunnun! Eat and drink. You will reach Baitullah Shareef. O Zunnun I want you to do me a favour. If you fulfil it, you will be immensely rewarded."
Zunnun: 'What is that?'
The Man: "When I have died, give me ghusl and bury me. Then depart. After Hajj, go to Baghdad. Enter the city through the Gate of Saffron. You will find a group of children wearing colourful garments and playing. You will see a young lad simply dressed. Nothing diverts his attention from the remembrance of Allah Ta'ala. A piece of cloth will be covering his lower body and another piece will be around his shoulders. The marks of tears will be on his cheeks. Two dark lines will be seen on his cheeks. He is my son. He is the coolness of my eyes. Convey my Salaams to him."
So saying, he recited Kalimah Shahaadat, let out a scream and his soul took flight from the cage of his earthly body. After saying: "Inna lillaahi wa inna ilahy raaji-oon", Hadhrat Zunnun gave the body ghusl in the water which had miraculously appeared. In his bag he had one qamees (kurtah) with which he covered the body. Then he dug the grave and buried this Wali of Allah Ta'ala.
He resumed his journey. After reaching Makkah Muazzamah, he performed the rites of Hajj, and proceeded to Madinah Munawwarah. After making ziyaarat of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), Zunnun set off to Baghdad. When he reached the city he entered via the Gate of Saffron where he found the group of children as well as the lone lad just as described by the Wali in the desert. He discerned that the lad was absorbed in Thikrullaah and he was supplicating to Allah Ta'ala.
When Zunnun made Salaam, the lad responded with Salaam and said: 'Welcome to the messenger of my father."
Zunnun: "Who told you that I am a messenger from your father?"
Lad: "He Who has informed me that you had buried my father in the desert. O Zunnun! You believe that you had buried my father in the desert. By Allah! My father was removed to Sidratul Muntaha. Accompany me to my grandmother."
The lad held Hadhrat Zunnun's hand and led him on. As they approached the doorway of a house, a very old lady stepped forward. When she saw Zunnun, she exclaimed: "Welcome to the one who had seen my beloved and the coolness of my eyes."
Zunnun: "Who told you that I had seen him?"
Old Lady: "The One Who informed me that you had buried him. The kafan (i.e. the qamees with which he had wrapped the Wali's body) has been returned for you. O Zunnun! By the Splendour and Glory of my Rabb! Allah Ta'ala is proudly displaying the rags of my son to His Angels. O Zunnun! How did you see off my son, the Coolness of my eyes?"
Zunnun: "I left him alone in the middle of the barren desert wilderness. Whatever he had yearned for from Allah Ta'ala, has been granted to him."
After Zunnun completed his narrative, the old lady held the lad close to her heart. Lo! Suddenly and miraculously they disappeared from his sight not knowing if they had disappeared into the heavens or into the earth. Hadhrat Zunnun searched around the house but could not find them. Then he heard a Voice proclaiming:
"O Zunnun! Don't tire yourself. The Angels had searched for them. But even they could not find them (the old lady and the lad)."
Zunnun (responding to the Voice) said: "Where are they?"
The Voice: "People become shuhada (martyrs) by the swords of the mushrikeen. These lovers of Rabbul Aalameen are martyred by Divine Love. They are transported on Mounts of Noor to their Beloved, Allah, The All-Powerful."
Hadhrat Zunnun then saw his leather bag which he had lost and the qamees with which he had covered the Wali's body. These two items were wrapped together.
Sidratul Muntaha is the wonderful Tree which is in the seventh heaven. No one besides Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) journeyed beyond this point, and that was on the Night of Mi'raaj. Not even Jibraeel (alayhis salaam) has been given permission to go beyond this limit. The beauty and grandeur of Sidratul Muntaha is beyond human description. When Hadhrat Jibareeel (alayhis salaam) is not engaged in the execution of duties, then he stands at this point and engrosses himself in Thikrullah.
It is quite probable that when the old lady and the lad disappeared, they too were elevated to Sidratul Muntaha where the old lady's son (the Wali) was taken. And Allah knows best.
HIS MARICLES
Once a young lad observed that Zunnoon Misri was in extreme difficulty due to poverty. He said:"Alas! If I had wealth today, I would have given it to you today." Zunnoon thought: "This lad has not yet fully understood the meaning of faqr. "By the permission of Allah, Zunnoon Misri miraculously produced three pearls. He sent the lad with the pearls to the jeweller to ascertain the value of the pearls. He went and returned saying that each pearl was valued at 100dinars (goldcoins). Zunnoon instructed the lad to crush the pearls and discard them. He commented: "Understand that the Fuqaraa are not in need of wealth."
A man came to Zunnoon Misri and complained of heavy debt. Zunnoon picked up a stone. As he touched the stone, it turned into a precious stone. The man took the stone, sold it and paid his debts.
HIS ADVICE
Zunnoon Misri said: "Conform with Allah. Admonish people. Oppose the nafs. Abhor the enemy(i.e. shaitaan)."
Abhorrence for shaitaan is to refrain from following his commands.
"When Allah loves a man, He revels to him the faults of his own nafs. When He wishes to disgracea man, He conceals his faults from him."
"A pious man neither looks at evil nor listens to evil."
"I have not seen a better guide showing the path of Ikhlaas (sincerity)than khalwat(solitude)." "A man who adopts khalwat, clings to the pillar of Ikhlaas."
"A Sufi is one who instructs others to do such virtuous deeds which he himself has already practised."
He said: "There are four symptoms of a diseased heart:
(i) It does not experience the sweetness of Ibaadat.
(ii) It is devoid of fear for AllahTa'ala.
(iii) It derives no lesson fromthe things and events of the world.
(iv) Itdoes not put into practise knowledge."
THE EFFECT OF HIS TEACHINGS
-Zunnoon Misri said: "I admonished people for 30years, but only one man correctlyf ound the path of Allah. He was a prince. Once he came to my Musjid and heard me admonishing myself. I was saying: "There is no greater ignoramus then the weakling who fights the most powerfulone." The prince said: "Explain clearly, what you are saying so that I too understand." I said: "Who is a greater ignoramus than one who fights with AllahTa'ala?" (i.e. Transgresses the laws of Allah Ta'ala.)
The prince left. He returned the following day and said: "Show me the way of reaching Allah Ta'ala." I said: "There are two ways –A short route and a long route. The long route is to abandon desires. The short route is complete renunciation of the world and everything besides AllahTa'ala." The prince opted for the short route. He renounced the world donning the simple shawl of the Sufis, he set off into the wilderness engrossing himself in Allah's Ibaadat. Finallyhe entered into therank of Abdaaliyat."
- People were unable to comprehend his mystical statements. They accused him of being a Zindeeq(heretic/kaafir). He was put in chains and taken to th eKhalifah who ordered him to be imprisoned for forty days. While he was in prison, his sister sent him somefood, but he did not eat of it. After he was released, she said: I had prepared the food from halaal earnings." Zunnoon Misri said: "Yes, but the guard who brought the food was an oppressor."
Even the touch of a Zaalim(oppressor) spirituallycontaminates the food. Such food affects the lofty spirituality of the Auliyaa. On his release the Khalifah posed certain intricate questions to Zunnoon. All present in court were amazed at the wonderful answers which he gave very eloquently. The king was so touched that he became Zunnoon's mureed and sent him to Egypt in great honour.
HIS TOLERATION
One day while in a boat, a merchant's pearl was missing. Zunnoon was accused of having stolen it. He was severelyassaulted. While the people were beatinghim, he raised his head tothe heaven and said: "OAllah! You know that I am not a thief." Instantaneously thousands of fish, each with a pearl in its mouth, appeared on the surface of the water. Zunnoon took one pearl and handed it to the merchant. When the people observed this wonderful miracle they were full of remorse and apologised profusely. From that day he was called Zunnoon which means the man of the fishes.
HIS DEATH
While Zunnoon was in his last illness, someone asked: "What do you wish for?" He said: "That I become aware (of my last) sometime before Maut arrives. "He then recited some verses: Fear has indisposed me; Yearning has scorched me; Love has killed me; Allah has resurrected me.
He then became unconscious. When he opened his eyes, Yusuf Bin Husain asked for some naseehat. Zunnoon said: "Don't engage me in conversation. Allah's favours have cast me into bewilderment." His soul then took flight from his earthly body.
On the night Zunnoon Misri died, 70 Auliyaa saw in their dreams Rasulullah(sallallahu alayhi wasallam) saying: "I have come to welcome the friend of Allah."
On his deathbed, people saw the following words miraculously inscribed on Zunnoon's forehead: Translation:
He is the beloved of Allah.
He died in the Loveof Allah. He is the one killed byAllah.
He was smitten by the Sword of Allah.
The heat was unbearably hot when Zunnoon's Janazah was taken. Flocks of birds hovering over his Janazah provided shade.
As Zunnoon's Janazah passed by a Musjid, the Muath-thin was proclaiming:
Zunnoon raised his Kalimah finger. Thinking that perhaps he was alive, the people put down the Janaazah. When they examined his body they confirmed he was dead. However, his finger remained outstretched testifying to the Unity of AllahTa'ala. Several attempts to lower the finger failed.