TO SAVE ONESELF FROM SIN IS BELOVED TO ALLAH TA’ALA

Hazrat Mufti Ahmad Khānpoori Sahib حفظه الله has related that Imam Ghazali رحمه الله has written in Ihya-ul-Uloom of the episode of Sheikh Sulaimān bin Yassar رحمه الله who was an extremely knowledgeable and handsome scholar and lived in Madeenah Munawwarah. He had the great opportunity of serving Ummul Mu’mineen Sayyidah Maimoonah رضي الله عنها and Ummul Mu’mineen Sayyidah Ā’ishah رضي الله عنها. Once he departed for Makkah Mukarramah with a companion for Hajj. Along the route, they camped at Abwa. His companion went to the local village to purchase provisions. They had camped at a place which was near Bedouin houses. A beautiful woman emerged from one of the houses and upon observing the noble countenance of the Sheikh became infatuated with him. She removed her niqāb and tried to seduce him. Sheikh Sulaimān bin Yassar رحمه الله mistook her to be a beggar and he hurried to find something for her but she said; “I am not in need of food, but seek from you what a woman seeks from a man!”

Sheikh Sulaimān bin Yassar رحمه الله replied; “Shaitān has sent you here.” He then placed his head between his knees and began to cry profusely. The Bedouin woman left hurriedly for fear of being apprehended and disgraced. The companion of the respected Sheikh returned from the village and noticed his face and eyes reddened. The companion inquired if there was a problem to which the Sheikh replied that he was thinking of his wife and children. The companion said; “No, it is something else, your condition testifies to it?” Upon the insistence of his companion, Sheikh Sulaimān bin Yassar رحمه الله related the entire episode. Hearing this, the companion began to cry. Sheikh Sulaimān bin Yassar رحمه الله inquired why he was crying and the companion responded that it was the favour of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله that he was not seduced because he would have succumbed to the temptation.

They proceeded for Hajj, performed the Tawaaf and sat down in meditation between the Maqām Ibrahīm and Hajre Aswad. Due to tiredness, Sheikh Sulaimān bin Yassar رحمه الله fell asleep and observed in a dream the exceptional beauty of Sayyiduna Yusuf عليه السلام. Sheikh Sulaimān رحمه الله asked him; “Who are you?” Sayyiduna Yusuf عليه السلام replied; “I am Yusuf.” Sheikh Sulaimān رحمه الله inquired; “Yusuf, the Siddīq (truthful)?” Sayyiduna Yusuf عليه السلام replied in the affirmative. Sheikh Sulaimān bin Yassar رحمه الله commented; “Your episode with Zulaikha is truly amazing!” Sayyiduna Yusuf عليه السلام then replied; “Your episode with the Bedouin woman from Abwa is even more amazing.”