2.9.9 - Shaykh al-Qabbani

Although Abu al-Hajjaj was among the most eminent among us, he continued to keep himself by the work of his own hands until he became too weak to do so and had to rely upon the support of pious donations. 1 When he grew old and became too infirm to move about he would weep and say to me, My son, God has caused me to be sought after and visited by people and has thus exposed me to temptation; for who am I that I should deem myself worthy of all this? Would that I were in good health, for it is I would dearly like to visit people in their homes rather than that they should come and see me.

He was indeed a mercy to the world. When the Sultans men came to see him he would say to me, O my son, these men are God’s assistants engaged in the affairs of the world; it is thus quite fitting that men should pray on their behalf that God may show forth his truth by their works and assist them. He enjoyed the goodwill of the Sultan.

No matter how many people came to visit him he would put whatever food he had in front of them, leaving nothing aside for himself. One day, when a group of people were visiting him, he had me bring down the provision basket for them. This I did but found in it a mere handful of chick-peas. These he offered to them.

I myself have witnessed many evidences of his spiritual grace. He was one of those who could walk on water.