𝗠𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 (57)

An Amazing Story About Lowering the Gaze The righteous servant, Sulaimān ibn Yasār, may Allāh have mercy on him, departed from his town travelling, accompanied by a companion. They went to the market to purchase provisions, while Sulaimān remained seated, waiting for him. Sulaimān ibn Yasār was handsome and well-built, one of the most beautiful in appearance and among the most pious in abstaining from what Allāh has forbidden. A Bedouin woman from the mountains noticed him. When she saw his beauty and elegance, she approached him while wearing a veil and stood before him. She revealed a face that shone like a full moon and said: “Grant me.” Sulaymān lowered his gaze, assuming that she was a poor woman in need of food, so he rose to give her some of what he had. When she saw this, she said to him: “I do not desire this food. I want that which exists between a man and his wife.” Sulaimān’s face changed, and he grew stern. He cried out to her: “Indeed, Shayṭān has prepared you!” He then covered his face with his hands, buried his head between his knees, and began to weep and lament. When the beautiful woman saw that he did not look at her, she lowered her veil over her face and departed to her tent. After some time, his companion returned, having bought their provisions. When he saw the state of Sulaimān’s eyes—red from weeping and his voice broken—he asked: “Why are you crying?” Sulaymān replied: “All is well! I was only remembering my young children!” His companion said: “No! You have a story! Your children have only been entrusted to you for about three years or so.” His companion pressed him until he recounted the story of the woman. Then they set the table and both wept intensely. Sulaimān asked him: “And what makes you cry?” He replied: “I am more entitled to cry than you!” Sulaimān asked: “Why?” He said: “Because I fear that if I were in your place, I would not have been able to restrain myself!” Thus, Sulaimān and his companion wept together. When Sulaimān arrived in Makkah, performed the Tawaf and Sa’ee, he approached the Stone, leaned upon it with his garment, and dozed lightly. In his dream, he saw a handsome, well-formed man of good stature, with a pleasing appearance and sweet fragrance. Sulaimān asked him: “Who are you, may Allāh have mercy on you?” The man replied: “I am the Prophet Yusuf, the truthful, son of Ya‘qub.” Sulaimān said: “Indeed, your story and the story of the wife of Al-‘Azīz are remarkable.” Yusūf (peace be upon him) replied: “Rather, your story and that of the Bedouin woman are even more astonishing!” 📚 [Hilyah Al-Awliyā by Abu Nu‘aym (Vol. 2, p. 191)] Source: https://t.me/Menzbenefits/152