The next day...

The next day, he worked harder and collected more firewood and this continued for several days till he was able to purchase a pickaxe for himself. After some period, as a result of his hard work, he managed to purchase two camels and a slave, and slowly became one of the affluent ones.

One day, arriving before the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.), he narrated to him the events of his life and the effect of his words, whereupon the Prophet (s.a.w.) responded: “I had said (before): One who seeks to be independent (of others), Allah shall make him independent."[^4] Alexander And Deozhan When Alexander was selected the supreme commander of Greece, people from all walks of life approached him to congratulate him upon his selection.

However, Deozhan, the well-known philosopher, did not go to meet him and so Alexander himself went to meet Deozhan. Deozhan was a person, who followed the policy of contentment, self-sufficiency and not depending on people. As he was lying under the sun, he sensed that a large group of people was approaching him.

He raised himself slightly, when his eyes fell upon Alexander, who was advancing with great pomp and grandeur; but Deozhan behaved just as he would behave if an ordinary person visited him. Alexander greeted him and said, “If you need anything from me, just speak out!” “I have only one request,” said Deozhan. “I had been enjoying the warm sunshine and presently you are obstructing it.

Could you move over to one side?” Those accompanying Alexander considered this speech to be very foolish and imprudent and spoke amongst themselves, saying: “What a foolish man he is to have wasted such an opportunity!” But Alexander, who felt dwarfed before the towering contentment and self-sufficiency of Deozhan, fell into deep reflection at these words.

On the way back he turned to his companions who had ridiculed Deozhan and remarked: “Indeed, had I not been Alexander, I would have desired to be Deozhan.”[^5] Not under Obligation of Avicenna It has been narrated that once, Avicenna, in great ministerial splendour and fanfare, was passing by a sweeper, who was reciting this poem loudly whilst performing his menial work: O’ Soul! I have held you in high esteem, so that you are a means of serenity for the heart.