Derivable Lessons From The Story of Khosrau and The Old Lady

Dedicated to Aisha Asila Ahmed

Buzrjamhar, the wise man of Persia, related the story of Khosrau the king and the old lady. The latter possessed a chicken and a small hut, which was situated on a small plot of land that neighboured the palace of the king Khosrau. One day, she had to travel to another village and before departing, she prayed, ‘O’ my Lord, I entrust my chicken to you.’ During her absence, Khosrau usurped her property in order to expand the gardens of his palace. His army slaughtered the chicken and destroyed the cottage. When she returned and discovered the deplorable act, she turned her gaze to the sky and said, ‘ O’ my Lord, I was absent and where were You.’ Then Allah did her justice and granted a revenge for her. It came to pass that the son of Khosrau attacked his father with a knife and killed him on his bed. (Laa tahzan by ‘Aaidh Ibn ‘Abdullah Al-Qarni translated by Faisal Ibn Muhammad)

“Is not Allah sufficient for His slave? Yet they try to frighten you with those [whom they worship] besides Him! And whom Allah sends astray, for him there will be no guide.” (Qur’an 39:36)

Would that we were all like the worthier of Adam’s sons, who said to the other:

“If you do stretch your hand against me to kill me, I shall never stretch my hand against you to kill you” (Qur’an 5:28)

The Old lady didn’t take to revenge – she simply puts her trust in Allah and was hopeful of His help:

The muslim has a mission and message much more important than revenge, malice and hate. Also, the Muslim is known for his complete reliance in Allah’s decree (whether good or bad) while striving and working hard to protect his property from harm as far as he can. This is because of the hadeeth where the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said:

“Strive to do that which will benefit you and seek the help of Allaah, and do not feel helpless.” (Muslim, 2664)

Allah answered the prayers of the Old Lady:

In as much as we seek Allah’s face appropriately in the calamities that befall us, Allah will come to our aid. This is as Allah says in His book:

 “And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me - indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided.” (Quran 2:186)

It is for the believer then, to believe in Allah as the One to whom all his burdens should be tabled to and have hope for same. And this is undoubtedly one of the fundamentals for happiness.

One of the attributes of Allah is 'The Most Just" and sufficient is e also, as a helper for the oppressed and unfairly treated:

“And Allah is most knowing of your enemies; and sufficient is Allah as an ally, and sufficient is Allah as a helper.” (Qur’an 4:45)

The old woman has been oppressed by the King and the prayer of the oppressed is most effective as the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said:

“Fear the prayer of the oppressed, even if he is a disbeliever, for there is no barrier (between it and Allah).” (Ahmad, 12140; classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh at-Targheeb wa’t-Tarheeb, 2231)

The King wielded his powers unjustly so Allah punishes him disgracefully:

“Verily, Allah does not like such as are proud and boastful” (Qur’an 16:23)

Justice means giving each person who has rights his rights and putting everything in its proper place. The reverse of this is certainly injustice and an extravagant display of pride. When given power, we must not forget that the source of power is Allah and He gives it to whomever He wills and takes it away from whomever He wills and to Him shall both the powerful and weak return.