despite being surrounded by different trials and tribulations. When someone would express amazement at the completely tranquil manner in which they would conduct their lives, remaining patient and grateful in spite of their ordeals, they would mention the other favours of their Lord Almighty in such a beautiful manner that the listener would be left feeling as though they were experiencing every ease.

Let us listen to an account of one such patient, grateful, pious predecessor and attempt to adorn our hearts with the Madani pearls gleaned from it.

Gratitude in adversity

Sayyiduna Imam al-Awza’i رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه states that a pious predecessor related the following account to him:  

I was always anxiously in search of the noble awliya رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْهِمand in search of them, I would wander the deserts, mountains, and jungles so that I could avail the blessings of their company. Once, for this very purpose I headed towards Egypt. Nearing Egypt, I saw a tent in a deserted area in which there was a man who had lost his hands, feet and eyes to leprosy. However, even in this state, that great individual was praising and expressing gratitude to his Lord in these words, “O my Lord! I praise you with a praise equal to the praise of all Your creation. O my Lord! Indeed, You are the Creator of all creation, and You are superior to all. I express gratitude to You upon You blessing me by favouring me over many people amongst Your creation.” 

The pious predecessor رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه mentioned that upon seeing this state of that person, he said, “By Allah Almighty! I will indeed ask this person if he has been taught these pure words of praise or he has been inspired with them.” Therefore, he went towards