He just tasted the water...

He just tasted the water, and finding it palatable, filled his leather water bag with it. He was anxious to reach the rest of the army, so he walked faster, even though the weight on his back had increased considerably. However, faith was his guiding power and he did not lose heart. The companions of the Prophet (s) made another announcement. ‘Abu Dharr cannot be seen. He seems to have also left, Ya Rasool Allah!’ The Holy Prophet (s) sighed, and repeated the same words once more.

The path being rough and uneven, Abu Dharr’s mouth was absolutely parched, but he saw the rear end of the army, and filled with joy, started running towards them. The people at the rear end saw somebody trying his best to reach them. They stopped and announced, ’One of them is coming back, Ya Rasool Allah!’ ‘Dear Lord, let it be Abu Dharr.’ ‘It is Abu Dharr, it is Abu Dharr!’ they cried in unison. ‘Forgive him, my Lord, he is unparalleled in truthfulness,’ prayed the Holy Prophet (s).

Abu Dharr reached the Holy Prophet (s) , who had covered part of the distance between them, and collapsed at his (s) feet. ‘Bring some water,’ ordered the Holy Prophet (s) . ‘I have water with me, Ya Rasool Allah,’ gasped Abu Dharr. ‘Why did you not drink it and quench your thirst, Abu Dharr?’ ‘May my parents be accepted as ransom for you, Ya Rasool Allah. I struck a rock on the way and found fresh water behind it.

When I tasted it and found it good, I thought of you, and vowed to drink it only after you had quenched your thirst with it.’ A Little Knowledge is a Dangerous Thing Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (‘a) heard of a person who everyone thought was very pious, honest, noble and God-fearing. In fact, he had earned a lot of fame because of his good deeds. The Imam (‘a) was keen to meet him, so he went to his place, and found a huge crowd of disciples sitting there.

In a glance he realized they were all ignorant, simple hearted folk. Suddenly, the pious man left the crowd and went outside. The Imam (‘a) followed him to observe his greatness himself. The man stopped at a bread baking oven and picked up two loaves of bread and hid them under his cloak when the baker was not looking. The Imam (‘a) giving him the benefit of doubt, thought he must have prepaid for them or would pay him later, but then the reason for hiding them from the baker left him wondering.

Still wondering, he saw the man stop at a fruit seller’s shop and pick up two pomegranates, hide them under his cloak and walk on.