(Qaseemud Dowlah, Aaq Sunqur Al-Bursuqi [rahimahullah] – Part Two)
Aaq Sunqur Al-Bursuqi (rahimahullah) would perform many rakaats of Tahajjud Salaah every night, after making wudhu on his own, without the assistance of any servant. On one cold winter’s night, Al-Bursuqi (rahimahullah) woke up to perform his salaah. In order to perform wudhu, he proceeded by himself to fetch water from the Tigris River carrying a jug made of copper. One of his servants who was with him that night saw him waking up and proceeding to the river. However, on account of the severe cold, he did not initially wake up to assist him. Just then, fear of his master overcame him and he thus woke up and went forward to take the jug from him. Al-Bursuqi (rahimahullah) refused to give him the jug and said to him out of sympathy, “O poor one! Go back to your place, for it is indeed cold.” Despite the servant trying hard to take the jug from him, Al-Bursuqi (rahimahullah) did not relent and made him return to his place. He thereafter performed his wudhu and began his salaah.
On the 9th of Zul Qa’dah 520 A.H., which was a Thursday night, Al-Bursuqi (rahimahullah) saw a dream in which a number of dogs pounced on him. He killed some of them, however, the others caused him great harm. When he related this dream to his companions, they insisted on him that he should not leave his house for a few days. Since it was a Friday, he responded saying, “I will never leave out the Jumu‘ah Salaah for anything.” His advisors insisted and tried their level best to dissuade him from going out, until he gave in. However, when he thereafter picked up a copy of the Quraan Majeed to recite, the first verse on which his gaze fell upon was:
وَكَانَ أَمْرُ اللَّهِ قَدَرًا مَّقْدُورًا
“And Allah’s command is a decreed affair.” (Surah Ahzaab v38)
This aayah confirmed his initial decision to attend the Jumu‘ah Salaah, despite the fear of some harm afflicting him.
It was his habit to perform his Jumu’ah Salaah in the first saff with the general public in the Jaami’ Masjid of Mosul. Hence, he mounted on his conveyance and proceeded towards it. Little did he know that a number of Shi‘ahs – who had disguised themselves by wearing the clothes of ascetics – were lying in ambush for him in the masjid. They wished to kill him because he was instrumental in hunting them down and killed a large number of them. As he entered the masjid and approached the mimbar, they pounced on him and attacked him with daggers. Although he injured a few of them by himself, the others managed to inflict fatal blows with their daggers. He was then carried home and passed away on that very day.
(Bughyatut Talab pgs. 1967/9 and Wafayaatul Aa’yaan vol. 1, pgs. 417/8)
Lessons:
1. Despite the severe cold, Al-Bursuqi (rahimahullah) was so punctual and steadfast on his Tahajjud Salaah, that he left the warmth of his home in order to fetch water for his wudhu. This was as a result of him being passionate about his Tahajjud Salaah and having a deep desire to communicate with Allah Ta‘ala during those special moments.
2. Although Al-Bursuqi (rahimahullah) had servants to assist him, he preferred being independent and carrying out his own work. Dependency on others in things that a person can easily manage doing on his own is not good for him and affects his productivity.
3. A person should not take advantage of his servants and employees, but should be kind, considerate and sympathetic towards them. Hence, when the servant insisted on fetching the water, Al-Bursuqi (rahimahullah) felt pity on him and refused.
4. When Allah Ta‘ala has decreed something, it cannot be diverted or avoided, no matter what precautionary measures a person may adopt. Al-Bursuqi (rahimahullah) had conviction that if anything was meant to happen it will definitely take place, and thus did not abandon the Jumu‘ah Salaah.
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