A Cup of Water

Once upon a time, there lived a fabulously wealthy trader. He had made worldly success, power, and enjoyment of life the focus of his existence. One day, this person was approached by an old man who said, “Imagine, my friend, that you are lost in a barren desert 

The sun is mercilessly hot, and there is not a shade to be found. You have been searching for hours, and have not been able to find any water. How much of your wealth will you give away for a cup of water?” The trader thought briefly and stated, “Old man, I will give away half of everything I own for some water to quench my thirst.” Upon hearing this, the sage asked another question, “It so happens that you drink all this water, some time has elapsed and you now need to pass the same water out of your body. Unfortunately, you cannot urinate and are hopping about in excruciating pain. How much of your wealth would you give to get rid of the water you dearly craved just a few hours ago?” The trader replied immediately, “I will give away every last iota of my wealth to get rid of the water in my bladder.” The old man nodded and asked, “If all your wealth is not even worth a glass of water, why do you crave and hoard it year after year, and commit injustices to become richer and more powerful?” Water is the symbol of life and for good reason. Take two adjacent fields, give one plenty of water, and none to the one next to it. Over time, the first field is lush, green, and teeming with life, while the other is parched and brown with cracks all over. The water can’t be seen in the former field, but its effects are very clear. Such is the case with the Ruh … you can’t see it, but without it, there is no human life. Ultimately, it is a masterpiece that defies description, as it proceeds from the Amr (divine Command or Word). It cannot be annihilated in the way matter can be. Nevertheless, recognizing the Ruh and how it governs the body is an important step in recognizing the Divine Will.

Our condition when we arrive at this worldly oasis is similar to the crisp and clean water of a fast-running mountain stream. During this life, actions such as lying, oppression, cheating, and arrogance pollute us just as dirt and filth contaminate pure water. This dirty water is no longer able to provide a clear reflection of the divine Command but is putrid and repulsive. Even an animal kills to feed itself and will not commit wanton acts of cruelty and persecution. Thus, a person who willfully takes a single innocent life for worldly gain or influence is at the lowest level of existence. By contrast, those who live in accordance with fitra, progressively ascend in nobility and wisdom. They recognize the divine moral responsibility bestowed upon every human being. In the final analysis, each individual will answer directly to Allah, as full and final justice is rendered on every act and every event. Do you reckon that thieves, murderers, and rapists will not face their victims directly and receive full punishment for their acts? How would you feel if you were the victim, and divine justice permitted the burden of the one who wronged you to be washed away by another?

The human condition is fraught with contradictions, both short and long-term. We may find something desirable, but its reality is repulsive like dead flesh rotting in a pool of brackish water. Such is the case of wealth and influence acquired by means that cause human suffering. Conversely, we may reckon something to be undesirable and avoid it, when in fact, it is the path to eternal success. An example of the latter is to stay silent in the face of oppression and injustice for fear of persecution. The closer a person is to fitra, the more profound the level of wisdom and the ability to exercise moderation in everyday and significant matters. Under normal circumstances, each traveler passing through this worldly oasis is able to control only his/her donkey. For example, I can look at my extended fingers and purposefully close my fist, but not that of someone living in the house next door. However, in very limited cases, a traveler reaches the very highest level of creation and can influence the donkey of other riders. One positive example is Isa ibn Maryam (Jesus), the messenger of The God when he said to a corpse: “Qum, be izn illahi” , that is “Rise if it is the Will of Allah”. And the dead person was revived back to life. Air is even more sublime than water. Consider a sweet breeze of air that suddenly flows past you on a sweltering day reviving your aching limbs … what a priceless gift. We go about our daily business without giving the air around us a second thought. However, a bout of asthma or sleep apnea brings the life-giving property of air sharply into focus. A person who is unable to breathe for a minute will give away his entire wealth for just one breath of air. My first point behind these simple examples such as a cup of water and a breath of air is to remind both you and myself that we don’t always appreciate the true value of what has been given to us. Secondly, just because something is not obvious doesn’t make it any less important. Thirdly, the Ruh cannot be seen, and neither can the Creator of the known and unknown worlds. However, just because something can’t be seen with the human eye, nor perceived by the other physical senses doesn’t imply non-existence. Opening our eyes to this fact is the first step in seeking a truly purposeful life.