IN WHICH CATEGORY DO YOU FIT?

Hadhrat Hasan Basri (rahmatullah alayh) who was among the greatest Taabi-een, said: “People resemble (morally/spiritually) six kinds of animals: lion, wolf, pig, dog, fox and goat/sheep.

Asad (lion): The kings are lions, for they oppress the people while no one oppresses them.

Thi’b (wolf): The traders are wolves. When they buy, they criticize and censure in their endeavour to reduce the price, but when they sell, they exaggerate in praising their wares. Their objective is to only accumulate wealth which will be left for inheritance. They yearn to combine night and day to gratify their greed for the dunya.

Khinzeer (pig): They are men who emulate women. They answer every call of women.

Kalb (dog): They are the fujjaar (the immoral ones) who are swift in pursuing the dunya. They do not adhere to the Haqq (Truth).

Tha’lab (fox): They are the impostors masquerading as men of the Deen to deceive people. They deceive people in order to fleece them of the dunya (wealth).

Shaa’t (goat): This is the true Mu’min whose wool is sheared (by the people of the dunya); who is milked; whose flesh is consumed; whose skin is removed and whose bones are broken. How is it possible for him (the Mu’min) to coexist among these wicked tormentors?”

Every Mu’min should make muraaqabah (meditate). Do some earnest and sincere soul searching, and fit yourself into one of the aforementioned six categories. “And only the people of intelligence take lesson.” (Qur’aan).