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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Islamic Teachings in Brief The Incident of Monk Buhayra While the Holy Prophet (SA) lived with his uncle, Abu Talib, and while he had not yet reached adolescence, Abu Talib set out for Damascus on business and also took the Holy Prophet (SA) along. It was a massive caravan and a great number of people travelled along with a huge quantity of merchandise until they arrived in Syria and entered the city of Busra.

In the vicinity of a monastery, they pitched a tent and took rest. A monk, whose title was "Buhayra", came out of the monastery and invited them to a feast. Everybody accepted Buhayra's invitation and entered the monastery. Leaving his nephew, Muhammad (SA) with his belongings, Abu Talib also attended the feast along with others.

Buhayra asked: "Is everybody present?" Abu Talib replied, "Everybody is here except a youth who is the youngest of all." Buhayra said: "Bring him along as well!" Abu Talib called on the Holy Prophet (SA) who was standing under an olive tree and came to the monk. Buhayra cast a deep glance at the Holy Prophet (SA) and said: "come a little bit closer, I have something to tell you." Then, he took the Holy Prophet (SA) aside. Abu Talib also went near them.

Buhayra told the Holy Prophet: "I am going to ask you a question and, by swearing on Lat and 'Uzza, would you answer me" (Lat and 'uzza were the names of two idols worshipped by the people of Makkah). The Holy Prophet (SA) stated: "These two idols are the most hated ones to me". Buhayra said: "By swearing on Allah, would you tell the truth". The Holy Prophet said: "I always speak the truth and I have never told a lie; you ask your question". Buhayra asked: "What do you like the most"?

The Holy Prophet (SA) answered: "Loneliness". Buhayra asked: "What do you look the most at and what do you like to look at"? The Holy Prophet said: "The sky and the stars within it". Buhayra asked: "What do you think of"? The Holy Prophet (SA) remained silent, but Buhayra carefully glanced at his forehead. Buhayra asked: "When do you sleep and with what thoughts"? The Holy Prophet stated: "When I fix my eyes upon the sky, I see the stars and I find them in my lap and myself above them".

Buhayra asked: "Do you see dream also"? He stated: "Whatever I see in dream, the same I see while I am awake." Buhayra asked: "What do you dream of, as an example"? The Holy Prophet (SA) kept quiet, Buhayra also kept quiet.