Hasan Basri narrates, ‘One day, Imam Husain (a.s.) along with his companions visited one of his gardens. The garden was under the care of his slave named Saaf. When Imam Husain (a.s.) reached there, he (a.s.) saw his slave consuming his lunch. Imam Husain (a.s.) then sat behind a tree, in a way that he was out of Saaf’s sight (the sole reason for this was that Imam Husain wanted his slave to finish eating comfortably. Such are the habits of AhleBayt (a.s.) who have utmost consideration even for their slaves). Imam Husain (a.s.) observed that he was sharing half of his lunch with a dog. This was a strange sight indeed!
After completing his food, Saaf prayed thus, “All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Universes. O Lord! Forgive me, forgive my master! O God! Bless him in the way you have blessed his parents. By Your Mercy, O Most Merciful of the Mercifuls”
After this, Imam Husain (a.s.) appeared from behind the tree. He called out to Saaf. Saaf was alarmed at seeing Imam (a.s.) and responded, ‘O my master and the leader of all believers. Forgive me for I did not see you”.
Imam Husain (a.s.) said, “Excuse me, for I have entered YOUR GARDEN without YOUR PERMISSION.”
Saaf said, “This is your grace and kindness”
Imam Husain (a.s.) asked, “I have observed you sharing half of your bread with the dog. What is the reason for it?
Saaf replied, “While I eat the food, the dog gazes at me. I feel shy. He is your dog and he looks after your garden. I am your slave and he is your dog. Both of us are sharing your sustenance equally”. (Such high degree of morals and manners are witnessed even by the slaves of this Holy Household (a.s.).
Saaf’s reply made the Imam (a.s.) weep and he said, “Go, you are free in the way of Allah. In addition, I gift you two thousand dinars”.
Saaf said, “If you are emancipating me, then I would like to continue staying in your garden”
Imam (a.s.) replied, “When a man says something, he should actualise it. I said that I have entered your garden without your permission. I am fulfilling my words by gifting you this entire garden. My companions have come to partake of the fruits and dates of this garden. You become their host and respect them for my sake. Allah will honour you on the Day of Qiyamat. May Allah increase His blessings on your good morals and manners”.
On this Saaf replied, “If you have gifted this garden to me, I in return am endowing it for your companions and shias.
Imam Husain responded, “Man’s life should be in accordance with that of the the family of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.).
(Maqtal-e-Husain by Khwarazmi, Vol 1, p. 153)
From the above incident, the following points can be concluded;
1. The philanthropy and bestowals of Imam Husain (a.s.).
2. How good manners are rewarded.
3. Not to interrupt anyone who is consuming food.
4. To partake with others while having one’s food, even if it be an animal.
5. To take care of all those things which are in the possession of one’s master.
6. To care for other servants of one’s master.
7. To have the feeling of servitude even after liberation, and not be separated from one’s
master.
8. Not to be proud on transformation from rags to riches.
9. Thanking for the bounty by endowing it in the way of Allah.
10. Respecting the friends of Imam Husain (a.s.).
11. On receiving bounties, praying for the bestower of bounties and his parents.
12. Following the ethics of AhleBayt (a.s.). 13. Actualising our words with actions.
