One of the neighbours of Hazrat Ahmad Harb was a fire-worshipper. He was a trader. Once robbers waylaid his caravan and looted the entire wealth of the caravan. It was a great loss for the trader. When Hazrat Ahmad Harb رحمه الله heard of the calamity, he went with a few of his disciples to console him. When he arrived at the neighbour’s house, he and his disciples were warmly welcomed by the trader. He treated them with great hospitality.
It occurred to the fire-worshipper that Hazrat Ahmad Harb رحمه الله and his group had come for some food. This thought occurred to him because there was famine in the land. This thought of the neighbour became revealed to Hazrat Ahmad Harb رحمه الله by way of kashf. Hazrat Ahmad Harb رحمه الله said to the trader not to make any food arrangements as they had come solely to sympathize with him because of the calamity. The trader said; “Yes, undoubtedly I have lost much wealth. But, on account of the loss, I have to be incumbently grateful for three issues:
The first is that others have robbed my wealth, I have not robbed anyone’s wealth.
Second: They looted half of the wealth. Half remained behind.
Third: They robbed me of worldly possessions. My religion remains with me.”
Hazrat Ahmad Harb رحمه الله instructed his disciples to write down what the trader had said. He commented; “Wisdom is discernable in what he has said.”
Then Hazrat Ahmad Harb رحمه الله said to the fire-worshipper; “Tell me, why do you worship the fire?”
The trader said; “So that tomorrow on the Day of Resurrection it will not burn me, and that it (the fire) delivers me to the Almighty Creator.”
Hazrat Ahmad Harb رحمه الله responded; “You are dwelling in a great deception. Firstly, fire is extremely weak. The opinion you have of it is nonsensical. If even a child throws some water on the fire, it will be extinguished. Now reflect! How can such a weak entity deliver you to the All-Powerful Creator? Furthermore, the fire is ignorant. It is unable to distinguish between musk and filth. It will equally burn both.”
Hazrat Ahmad Harb رحمه الله continued; “For seventy years you have been worshipping the fire whilst I have never worshipped it. Come, let us both insert our hands into the fire to see if it appreciates your worship.” Bahraam was impressed by this talk. He said; “I want to pose four questions. If you answer correctly, I shall abandon worshipping the fire and become a Muslim.” Hazrat Ahmad Harb رحمه الله told him to pose his questions.
Bahraam posed the following questions:
- Why did Allah Ta’ala create this creation?
- After creating it, why does He sustain creation?
- After sustaining creation, why does He cause death?
- After death, why will He resurrect creation?
Hazrat Ahmad Harb responded;
- He created creation so that His creative power is recognised.
- He sustains so that His providence (Razzaaqiyat) becomes known.
- He causes death so that His wrath is recognised.
- He resurrects so that His power becomes known.
Bahraam thereafter said; “I feel that this fire should be tested.” Hazrat Ahmad Harb رحمه الله held his hand over the fire for quite some time. The fire had no effect on his hand. When Bahraam observed this, he spontaneously proclaimed the Kalimah Shahaadah. Hazrat Ahmad Harb رحمه الله let out a scream and fell down unconscious. After a short while when he became conscious, his disciples asked for an explanation. Hazrat Ahmad Harb رحمه الله said; “The moment Bahraam recited the Kalimah, it was revealed to my heart: ‘O Ahmad! After worshipping the fire for seventy years, Bahraam embraced Īmān. You have been a Muslim for seventy years. It remains to be seen what you will bring forth.'”
Sayyiduna Rasoolullah صلى الله عليه وسلم has said; “Īmān is suspended between fear and hope.”
(SOURCE: THE SAADIQEEN)