There is a very eye opening story of a Sufi Mystic. He was having not many but a few disciples. The well known Sufi Master was a simple man living by doing some skilled work with his hands. He was a simple cobbler. But he had strange ways of teaching to his disciples.

            After his daily work he used to be with his disciples. He lived on begging food. Because of his daily begging he was known as a begging master. After gathering all the alms together the food was shared by all who were in the assembly.

            Before the food was displayed the master would sit with the closed eyes and say a prayer, saying “God, Allah, you are so compassionate, you offer this food to us although we have committed sins doing wrongs, forgive us, you are great”. After the normal practice of the prayer everyone would join the supper.

            One day even after visiting several houses they did not get much food in their begging bowls, not enough for the assembly. So the Master said, “well the food is not sufficient for all of us so we share whatever is there; so he laid his prayer mat, closed his eyes and started praying like usual, and the food was to be shared by all .Off course the food was not enough for all .When it came down to serving the disciples started looking at each other, kept quiet .Looking at the disciples, the master said, “you should be thankful to whatsoever you get, and be happy. Allah is great, at least we got something. There are many who do not get even this much, so pray for them as well”, then they had their supper.

            The next day was even worse, they were not given any providence no alms so no food. The days were of cold winter, the disciples were much hungry, empty stomach still the Master was ready for his prayer, “How compassionate are you God Allah, although we have no food to share, at least we are alive, thank you…”

            The disciples were so taken a back; they could not understand this prayer on empty stomach of thankfulness! One asked the master “How could you be thankful to the god who kept us hungry”?

            The  Master said, “This the time to be thankful more than any other , the Allah did not take our life away , he still kept us alive .after food if someone thanks  the Allah , what is so special in it , but even in the worst conditions if you do not forget the god , then it is religiousness not otherwise….” This is gratitude

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