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71-1 - The
Sayings of Haykar the Sage:
Teachings of Haykar
Once
there lived Lord of Asoor and Naynaavaah under the rule of Sankhareeb the
King. The King's Vazeer and his chief secretary, Haykar, was very rich,
wise, philosopher and was endowed with love and experience. He had wedded
60 wives, each of which lived in her own palace, but he had no son from
any one of them, that is why he was very sad. Once he called experts,
astrologers and wizards and explained them his problem to them. They
suggested him to do some sacrifice before the images and pray them and when
they would be happy
they would give him a child.
He did
so before the images, prayed them, asked their favor, but they never made
a reply. He again fell into distress. Then he went in the shelter of Allaah, told Him his problem, and cried in pain - "O Allaah, Please
give me a son who, after my death, can become my heir and bury me."
Then came a voice from the Heaven - "Since first you had believed in
graven images, that is why you will remain childless. However, get up and
go to your sister's child Naadaan, take him, and teach him your ways. He
will be your heir after your death." So he went to his sister and
adopted her son Naadaan who was just a baby. He gave him to eight
wet-nurses and eight dry nurses for feeding and rearing. They brought him
up with
all kinds of luxury.
After
a while the King Sankhareeb noticed that his Vazeer had grown very old, so
he said to him - "O sage-like Vazeer, You have become old now, so
tell me to whom to appoint my Vazeer after your death?" Haykar said -
"May you live forever. The same will be Naadaan, the son of my
sister, whom I have adopted and brought up with great care." The King
said to him - "OK, Bring him in. If I find him befitting, I will
establish him on your position. Then you can go and take rest and lead the
rest of your life in honor."
Haykar
came home and took his nephew to the King. He looked at him, was pleased
to see him and asked the Vazeer - "Is he your adopted son? I pray
Allaah, take care of him. As you have served me, your son will also serve
me to the end that I may honor him for your sake." Haykar prostrated
in front of the King - "May you live long, I desire you protect my
child, ignore his mistakes, so that he may serve you in the best of his
spirits." The King took the oath that he would establish him at the
highest amongst his friends and he will abide with him in all
respect and reverence. So Haykar kissed the King's hands and went away to
his home with his nephew.
Then
he started teaching him day and night all kinds of things worth knowing
for a Vazeer, rather than only eating drinking. He said to him - "O
son, If a word comes to your ears suffer it to die within your heart,
never disclose to anybody, lest it becomes a live coal to burn your
tongue; if you see something, do not disclose it to anyone; breed pain in
your body, clothe yourself in shame and always fear from God. O son, Don't
make haste in replying, don't desire for formal beauty which fades away
soon, but look for inner qualities which last forever.
O son,
Be not deceived by a woman of immodest speech, lest you become a prey of
her speech and die by a shameful death. Don't be attracted to a woman of
art, her clothes and cosmetics etc, because they are the things of
immodesty. Beware of her to give anything which is not yours, for she will
robe you in sin and you will have to answer to Allaah.
Do not
be an almond tree whose leaves appear earlier than everything else and its
fruit comes in the last, but try to be a mulberry tree which bears the
fruit first and everything later as its foliage. Bow your head even to
your inferiors, always speak softly, be courteous, and tread in the paths
of piety. Never speak and laugh loudly, because if the house was built by
the volume of the sound, the ass would eat many a mansion everyday.
The
transport of stones with a man of wisdom is better than the drinking the
wine blamed for his foolishness. You should pour out the wine over the
tombs of the pious men than drain it in those who offend others. Be with a
sage who fears Allaah and try to be alike him and learn his foolish ways.
If you
have a friend or a familiar, make trial of him, then be with him; and
without testing him, neither praise him, nor insult him, nor disclose your
thoughts about him to anybody who is not wise. As long you have a shoe to
wear, walk always on thorns and tread a way for your sons and grandsons.
Always keep a boat ready, lest the sea drowns you.
When a
rich person eats a snake, it is called that it is his delicacy; but when a
poor eats the same snake, it is declared "it is because of his
poverty." Be content with your status and your good, never be jealous
with your fellow. Never be friendly with ignorant, nor you eat food with
him; nor you be happy when they are annoyed with you. Even if your enemy
maltreat you, meet them with kindness and charity feelings (read such
a story). And always fear the man who does not fear Allaah and hold
him in hate.
O son,
The fool will fall if one slips, but a wise man does not even tumble, and
even if he
tumbles, he will rise quickly, if he falls ill, he will be healthy soon;
but for the ignorant there is no remedy. If a lesser intelligent man than
yourself comes to you, protect him respectfully; and if he does not
suffice you, the Lord will suffice you in exchange of him.
Spare
not blows to your child, for the beating the boy is like to manure the
garden, to bind the purse mouth, to chain the cattle, and to lock the
door. Withhold your child from wickedness and discipline him, lest he
becomes stubborn and obstinately disobedient; and thus lowering your head
in the society and you should be described as an aid to his wrongdoings.
Let no
word should escape your lips without consulting your heart; nor you should
stand up between two opposites, because if you talk to wicked people it
will give birth to enmity, from enmity comes out the battle, and from battle
arises the slaughter. Wherever your testimony is required, flee from that
place and be at rest.
Never
stand against a man who is stronger than you, but be patient; and long
suffering, self-control and treading the path of piety are excellent. Do
not enjoy over the death of the enemy because after a while you will
become his neighbor.
Do not
hear if somebody talks to you rudely or makes a mockery of you; honor him
and always greet him with Salaam. When the water in the stream is high,
the bird will fly sky-high, and the black raven will be white, then only
the ignorant and the fool will talk. If you are wise, control your tongue
from talking, your hand from stealing, and your eyes from seeing evil,
then only you will be called a sage.
O son,
Suffer, if a wise man strike you with his staff, rather than being happy
when a fool anoints
you with the sweetest smell. Be humble in the years of youth so that you
may be honored in your old age. Do not stand opposite to a man in your
office, nor try to stop a river. Do not haste in the matters of marriage -
because if it brings prosperity, the folks will not tolerate you, and if
it brings ill, they will abuse you and curse you.
Live
in the company of the one whose hand is full, not in the company of the
one whose hand is like a fist. There are four things which are unstable -
a king with no army, a Vazeer in difficulty for lack of advice, amongst the
folks whose speech is discourteous and over the Kings. Four things also
may not be hidden - to wit, the sage and the fool, the rich and the
pauper.
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