Pearls of Wisdom
A good companion is one whose knowledge, actions, conviction and good character are such that they benefit all those who are around him. Rasulallah SAW likened a virtuous companion to a merchant of musk in Dari (a Bahrain port); even if he doesn’t offer you his perfume, his fragrance will remain with you.
Musk is a potent fragrance and valuable commodity, whose four qualities Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin TUS used as an analogy to describe a virtuous companion. First, its fragrance is pure, strong, long-lasting; this is akin to one’s good character, which is highly regarded, hard to hide, and elevates one’s esteem in this world and the hereafter. A companion with good character is irresistible; as if through osmosis, our companion’s good character teaches us valuable lessons. After Syedna Abdeali Saifuddin’s wafat, Syedna Mohammed Izzuddin called upon one sheikh to prepare the suyoom jaman. The sheikh was committed to Maula’s khidmat, but known to have a hot temper. When he came to meet Maula RA, he became exasperated: how could he prepare with so little time? Syedna Abdeali Saifuddin AS had once called upon the same sheikh, who at the time reacted similarly; Syenda Mohammed RA was also present: and just by being in the presence of his Naas RA, he had learnt how to tactfully and compassionately handle this situation and get the work done.
Second, musk has been used for medicinal purposes, especially in ancient Chinese medicine, to help cure different illnesses and ailments. Our ethereal medicine is the knowledge of Aale Mohammed. If the keeper of this knowledge – our Awliya Kiram AS – is our companion, they will provide relief and quell our worldly and spiritual hardships. A physician once complained to Syedna Taher Saifuddin RA that he does not have peace of mind; after speaking with Maula RA for just fifteen minutes, the doctor exclaimed that in meeting and speaking to Syedna he had achieved peace of mind. Third, musk is said to enhance the taste and add sweetness to a dish. Similarly, a good companion is one with a strong conviction, and who strengthens that of those around him. The Rahib traded his life-savings to keep Imam Husain’s AS raas mubarak for just one night. He bathed and applied musk to Imam Husain’s AS raas mubarak, and mourned his shahadat, keeping the raas mubarak as his companion the entire night. In doing so, his conviction became so strong that he converted to Islam and committed himself to Imam Zainulabdein’s AS khidmat.
Finally, musk is a highly valuable commodity that in Europe used to be worth more than gold. One’s value is defined by that which he does well – by one’s actions and skillset. A virtuous companion, thus, is one who in their actions indirectly encourages others to do the same.
In closing shop during the auspicious days of Ashara Mubaraka and attending the majalis of our Awliya Kiram AS, we live and breathe the musk of ilm, amal, aqeeda, and akhlaaq that fills every corner of the masjid. Maula’s TUS huzn, his noha wal aweel, the precious knowledge and guidance he imparts upon us during these majalis is invigorating. The more Maula TUS calls us toward the zikr of Imam Husain AS, the more potent the fragrance of the musk becomes, infusing our hearts and souls with huzn and bukaa.