The man whose time was wrong

Abdul Qadir died in 1166. His shrine is in Bagdad. His descent is from Hassan the grandson of Mohammed. He is known as Sayedna, 'our prince'. When he lay in death bed a mysterious Arab delivered a letter – ‘Every man or animal has to taste death. From Lover to Beloved.’ There are many books written about him, Hiyat-i-Hazrat is one such. It began like this …..

‘His appearance was formidable. One day only one disciple dared to ask him a question: “Can you not give us power to improve earth and the lot of the people on earth?” His face darkened and he replied: “I will do better, I shall give this power to future descendant of you, since at present there is no device existing to bring about such improvement in large scale. You shall be rewarded and your descendants shall be rewarded for your aspiration.”

Following story is from Abdul Qadir: The man Whose Time Was Wrong.

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Once upon a time, there was a rich merchant, who lived in Baghdad. He had a large house, many dhows, many properties, a large business network that extended as far as Indies. He gained this through own work, inheritance, being at the right time and at right place, and advice from Sultan of Cordoba – king of West.

Something went wrong. A tyrant seized his land and property. His fleet to Indies met with typhoons. Disasters struck his family. Even his close friends lost the power to be in harmony with him, though both intended to have social relationship. He decided to journey to west and to meet his patron King of Spain – the Sultan.

On his way, he was looted and captured by bandit and sold as slave. He escaped from slavery but without food and water and most miserable life only from a morsel of food given by dervishes. He looked miserable with sun burnt leather like body – villagers drove him away. Hardly could he get a gulp of fresh water.

At last he reached the gate of Palace of Sultan. Even here he was treated horribly – he was pushed away by soldiers, chamberlains refused to talk with him. Anyhow he managed a minor job at King’s court. It took him three years to earn enough to buy a dress befitting to applying to Master of Ceremonies for admission to the royal presence. By now his behavior and manner was so bad that the Master put him on course and training to make worthy of present at court. All these he endured, and long last after three years he could enter King’s audience hall.

The King instantly recognized him, called him and bade him to sit in a place of honor beside him.

“Your majesty, I suffered most terribly these past years. My lands were usurped, my ships lost along with my capital, for three years I battled against hunger, bandit, desert, people, language – I am here now and put myself in your mercy.”

King turned to Chamberlin, “Give him hundred sheep.”

King’s generosity was substantially less than what he hoped for. Anyway he withdrew after customary salutation. But no sooner he reached the scanty pasture with his 100 sheep, a plague struck and he lost all his sheep. He returned to court.

King asked: ”How are sheep?”

“They died as soon as I got them to pasture.”

King made a sign, and directed, “Give him 50 sheep.”

Feeling ashamed, the shepherd now took the sheep to mountainside. But soon attacked by wild dogs that appeared and chased them away over the mountain edge and all were killed.

The merchant returned to King and told his story. This time, he was given 25 sheep.

Without any more hope, the shepherd left for pasture with 25 sheep. As soon as he reached, each of his ewes gave birth to twins. Then again twins were born. These new twins were fat and well fleeced and made excellent eating. He now bought more sheep, they too initially skimpy grew strong and healthy; resembled the amazing new breed that he was rearing. After three years he returned to King’s court splendidly attired with report of the sheep prospered in his stewardship.

“Are you now successful shepherd?” the monarch asked.

“Yes indeed.”

“Very well, yonder is the kingdom of Seville whose throne is my gift, go and let it be known that I make you king of Seville.” King touched him on shoulder with ceremonial axe.

“Why didn’t you make me king when I first came to you?” the merchant burst out.

King said: “On that day you took the sheep up the mountain and lost them, had you taken control of kingdom of Seville, there would not have been one stone on top another today.”