THE SPIRIT OF ISLAM

During the journey he encamped near a large grove of trees upon which doves used to perch. During this halt one of the Sufi's disciples aimed at one of the doves, killed it, cooked it and ate it. Afterwards something strange happened. A flock of doves came to the tree under which the Sufi was resting and began hovering over it and making a noise. The Sufi saint asked the leader of the birds what the matter was. The leader said, 'One of your disciples has killed one of us.' The saint questioned his disciple about it. The disciple said that he had done nothing wrong, as the birds were their food and what he had done was normal. The Sufi conveyed this message to the leader of the doves. The latter replied: 'Perhaps you have failed to understand our point. Actually what we are complaining about is that all of you came here in the garb of Sufis yet acted as hunters. Had you come here in hunter's garb, we would certainly have remained on the alert. When we saw you in the guise of Sufis, we thought that we were safe with you and remained perched on the top of the tree without being properly vigilant.' This anecdote illustrates well the reality of a true religious person or spiritual person. One who has reached the stage of spiritual upliftment, and has found the true essence of religion no longer has the will or the capacity to do harm. He gives life not death, to others. He benefits others, doing no injury to anyone. In short, he lives among the people like flowers and not like thorns. He has nothing but love in his heart to bestow upon others. A believer who worships God can feel himself becoming imbued with a special kind of peace and in turn he will live as a peaceful person in society. He will be a well wisher to everyone and will consider all as his fellow beings. o Peace and love are the religion of human nature as well as the demand of Islam.