Advice to Abdulla Mubarak
Adapted from: JA'FARI OBSERVER - SHABAN 1415 Page 7

Abdulla Mubarak once approached Buhlool with a request to show him a way of salvation and purification from sins. Buhlool replied that what could be expected from him when people considered him as an insane person. Why not find a sensible person to guide you? He added. Abdulla said that insane persons are quite often experts in their profession hence one ought to listen to words of wisdom from those considered mentally imbalanced.

On Abdullah's insistence, Buhlool agreed upon four conditions narrated as under:

What better reason other than this could it be for one always to remain on the path of obedience to Allah.

Firstly: "If you go against any command of Allah then you should refrain from eating from His sustenance. How dare you as a sensible person, claiming to be servant of Allah and enjoying His bounties yet turn against Him?"

Abdulla admitted that this was the absolute truth.

Secondly: "When you disobey Him, you should not reside in His domain".

Abdulla said: "This was rather difficult condition to comply with".

Buhlool said: "But how unfair it was to enjoy His blessings and reside in His domain yet disobey and go against His commands. Allah. Himself had said in the Holy Qur'an: "Surely to Us is their turning back Then surely upon Us is the taking of their account". (88:25-26)

Thirdly: "if you are bent upon committing a sin, then do so at a place where Allah cannot see you at all".

Abdulla said: "This is impossible".

Buhlool said: "How unfair it was for one to enjoy His bounties, reside in His domain and yet commit sins despite the fact that He is seeing you. And Allah has stated in the Holy Qur'an: "And do not think Allah to be heedless of what the unjust do: He only respites them to a day on which the eyes shall be fixedly open". (14:42)

Fourthly: "When the angel of death approaches you for taking away your soul, tell him to wait so that you may bid farewell to people and perform some good deeds for the benefit of life after death".

Abdulla responded saying: "This was impossible because the angel of death does not allow any respite to anyone".

Buhlool reacted to this by saying. "How dare you then commit a sin when you know for certain that you are not going to be spared anytime when death approaches. Is it not possible that death comes to you at the very moment when you are committing sin and you are unable to move. And Allah had said in the Holy Qur'an.. "Lo every people is a term appointed. when their term is reached, not an hour can they cause a delay, nor (an hour) can they advance". (7:34)

Abdulla told Buhlool that he had carefully listed and understood his four conditions and wanted to hear more from him.

Buhlool then added: "Man when committing action, or uttering, or hearing any word, ought to keep in view the commands of Allah".