The King and his mercenaries
The King and his mercenaries were told of unprecedented treasures in the distant land of Soku. After careful consideration, the members of the kingdom decided to take an expedition to locate the lost treasure. The King and his helpers ventured on horseback about a hundred kilometers until they reached the desolate land of Soku.Upon arrival, they set up camp and began exploring. Shortly thereafter, the King decided to take his horse on his own search because the he knew of a special location of the rarest treasures and he didn’t want the others to share in that wealth. “I’ll be back shortly,” the King said to his servants, and he was on his way. After a short while, a downpour of rain began falling and the King entered what appeared to be an empty cave. He dismounted his horse and decided to rest until the rainfall was over. Suddenly, he heard growling from afar and noticed a coyote coming straight at him.
In panic, he began screaming as the animal caught hold of his robe and tore it to pieces.The startling noise scared off the horse and it ran away in frenzy.The King climbed up a tree to safety and soon, the coyote fled as well. After a short while, nightfall began approaching.The King, being accustomed to a life of luxury, wasn’t familiar with self-survival and no longer had his horse to rely on.The King climbed to a high rocky area and took slumber there for the night. When sunrise was upon him, he began walking on his own to locate his comrades.All day he spent searching and was completely lost. During this time, his army was ambushed by local inhabitants and many of them were severely wounded. As they retreated back to their land, a delegation of two of his two sons, the princes went to search for the King. Those two men searched for hours and discovered the cave where the King had been earlier.They noticed the blood-stained coat of the King torn into pieces and assumed that the King had been killed by a wild animal. Fearing for their lives from the local inhabitants, they concluded that the King was dead and headed back home.
The poor King searched the land for days and was in danger of starvation.After walking through a heavily wooded area, he discovered a small, isolated house.As he approached, he saw a young man chopping wood.This young man, named Asghar inquired about the stranger and invited him in, seeing his torn clothing drenched in blood. As he entered, he was greeted by Asghar’s mother and noticed that this family lived a poor life.“Please, do you have any food to offer me?” asked the King. The mother and son said they had a few nuts and raisins. However they wanted to offer their guest something more, as they gazed upon a lamb which was their main source of sustenance.Asghar decided to slaughter the lamb as a show of hospitality to his guest. After cooking the meat, they served their guest.Upon completing his meal, the King told them who he was and how grateful he was for their assistance.He told them to come and visit his kingdom anytime and he would reward them for their efforts.Being the humble people they were, they just smiled at the King.
They advised him of a caravan of nomads heading up to his kingdom and advised him to join them and return to his homeland in safety.The King again thanked them, joined the caravan, and went back home. he people of his kingdom were ecstatic and overjoyed upon seeing their King. The city declared a 3 day celebration to honor the return of their leader and soon things were as they were before this disastrous expedition.
Back in Soku, the months came and went, and as time progressed, Asghar’s mother was becoming ill and they were without their primary source of sustenance, namely the lamb. “Perhaps you should go see the King,” said the mother to her son. “We are proud people mother, I would prefer not to. However, seeing us in this state of affairs, I don’t think I have a choice.” Soon thereafter, he kissed his mother goodbye and began walking that long distance. As he arrived to the King’s palace, he was on the brink of starvation. He approached the gates and was soon confronted by the guards who were standing by. “Let me in! he shouted. “I am a friend of the King!” After hearing this shouting, the King himself came out to assess the situation. “It’s me, your majesty! It’s Asghar.” The King didn’t recognize him. “Remove him from here,” commanded the King.
As the guards approached him, Asghar began yelling the details of their encounter and the King remembered him. “Wait!” commanded the King. “Yes, yes, I remember you, let him free, let him in.” After Asghar drank water and cleaned himself up, he approached the King. “Your majesty, I come with the greetings of my mother. She is very ill and we are not doing well. We relied on that sheep and we slaughtered it just for you. I come in humbleness asking for your assistance.” The King was overwhelmed and realized how much luxury he lived in and how less fortunate other people were. Therefore, he ordered all of the townspeople, Asghar, and all of his assistants to meet at the town square.Asghar had no idea what was taking place.
Suddenly, for all to see, he sat upon his throne and called his two sons, the princes to stand by his side. He related the story of what happened to everyone and asked his son the prince, “What do you think I should give him in repayment, my son?” The prince said, “Give him a bag of gold.” “How unjust you are!” said the King. He asked his other son, “My son, what sort of repayment shall I give this boy and his mother?” The other prince replied, “Give him a bag of gold, a bag of silver, and a home in the Kingdom.” Again, the King exclaimed,“How unjust you are!” “This boy and his mother sacrificed a lamb, which was everything they had for me! Therefore, I will give them everything I have. My dear Asghar, my throne and my Kingdom is yours.” Asghar was shocked at this display of kindness.
He was so happy that he asked a delegation to go back to Soku and bring his mother. As he ordered, the people went to the town and picked up his mother without telling her what had transpired. All they told her was that they needed her to join them to see Asghar and assured her that he was okay. Upon arrival, a humble man approached her. Dressed in the clothes of the common folk, this man offered her a fresh juice drink and seated her on a plush, silk couch. She said, “Thank you kind stranger. You truly are generous. You look so familiar. Have I seen you before?” He responded in tears of joy, “I was the King that you saved. You sacrificed all you had for me and cared for me when I was all alone.
Therefore, I have given you and your son all I have, and here is your son, Asghar, the King.” King Asghar and his mother were reunited as the former King and the townspeople rejoiced. “Listen well, my people,” said Asghar. “I know nothing of leading a nation. Your former King, has proven that he has become a man of justice and compassion. Therefore, in all happiness, in no compulsion, I would like to appoint him as your King once again.”
Moral: We should work as hard as we can in spreading the word of peace, tolerance and equality because we never know what can come of it. Also, being content and having love is much better than being wealthy and miserable. We should also give all we have to the Almighty, for his kingdom is endless and he shall reward us with everlasting grace as the King did in this parable.
As a background, Hadith Qudsi are believed to be sayings from God that are not included in the Holy Qur'an but were nevertheless revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The general moral from this story is from that source. The theme of giving all our efforts in Goodness (and to please God) and God returning to us His bounties is a general Islamic theme.The Islamic sayings (called al Hadith al Qudsi)
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