Reward for giving-up high hopes

It is stated on page 348 of the 413-page book named ‘Uyoon-ul-Hikayaat published by Maktaba-tul-Madinah, the publishing department of Dawat-e-Islami: After abandoning the affairs of the kingdom, the king of Basra became pious, but then he again got attracted to the kingdom and governance and decided to live the rest of his life with luxury and pleasure. He got a splendid palace constructed with high quality carpets and decorated with all types of furniture and fittings. He specified one room for guests which contained nice beds; all sorts and kinds of food were selected. The king called the people and the people greatly praised the king who was impressed with the glory. It continued for a high time. The king was lost in the colourful life of this world. His grand palace had all types of musical instruments and entertainments. He used to always be engrossed in worldly pleasures. These activities made him suffer the destructive spiritual illness of high hopes.

One day he called his ministers, advisors and close relatives and said: You have been observing my joy in this grand palace. Look! How peaceful I am here, I want to get palaces constructed like this for all my sons. Stay here for a few days, enjoy as much as you want and give me good pieces of advice for constructing other palaces, so that I will be able to get best palaces constructed for my sons. The people started living there. One day all the people including the king got busy in having fun with the entertainments when suddenly a voice from the unseen said ‘O the one, forgetting death, constructing buildings! Give up your high hopes, because death has been recorded. Death has been recorded for people whether they laugh or make others laugh, and it is ready for those who have very high hopes. Do not construct houses in which you do not have to live in, and do worships and spiritual exercises so that your sins can be forgiven.’

This unseen voice frightened the king and all the people present with him. The king told his friends, ‘Have you heard that Ghaybi (hidden) voice which I have heard?’ All answered in one voice, ‘Yes! We have also heard it.’ The king said, ‘Are you feeling what I am feeling?’ It was asked, ‘What are you feeling?’ The king replied, ‘I am feeling something like a burden on my heart; I think it is the message of my death.’ People said, ‘That is nothing, ignore it. May you live long and have more respect! Do not be worried.’ The unseen voice