Sufi parable from Sanaya Three Muslims went to war with Byzantium, and soon all three were captured and brought before the Byzantine emperor. The emperor ordered to tell them that they would be pardoned only if they renounced Islam.
When this news was conveyed to the captives, they began to discuss what they had heard. One of them, the one who was a lawyer, said:
— An obligation given under duress is considered invalid by Sharia law. I will renounce Islam for the sake of appearances, but in my soul I will remain faithful to it, and there will be no sin on me!
The second of them belonged to the descendants of the righteous Ali, and, remembering this, he confidently declared:
“At the Last Judgment, my great ancestor will intercede for me.” I can calmly renounce!
The third, in peaceful life, was a libertine and a reveler. He thought about the words of his fellow believers and then said:
“Nobody taught me to pervert the laws, and no relatives will stand up for me.” Therefore, I cannot renounce my faith and will go to execution. Maybe in this way - by steadfastness in Islam - I will correct my reputation a little, for it is better to be killed with a good name than to continue living with a thousand sins!
So it all happened, and the Lord will determine which of them turned out to be more sincere.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru