Library Ethics Greater Sins Chapter 27 Consumption of Harām Hardening of the heart
Hardening of the heart
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Hardening of the heart
Whatever man eats is like a seed sown in the earth. If the seed is good it will bear sweet fruits. If the seed is bitter and poisonous, so is the fruit that grows from it. If the food is good and lawful it has beneficial effects on the heart. It is purified from every blemish and impurity. The organs of this person perform good deeds, but if one consumes food obtained through unlawful means it causes the heart to harden. The symptoms are soon obvious. A hard hearted person is unaffected by any kind of preaching and remains absolutely impenitent. Such a man is not moved even when he sees clear injustice. No good can be expected from him. Not a trace of goodness is visible in his dark heart. He refuses to accept what is right and is immune to every kind of moral advice. The tragedy of Karbala is the perfect example of this phenomenon. These are the characteristics clearly pointed out by Imam Husain (a.s.) in his address to the troops of Ibn SÄd:
“You bellies are filled with unlawful (wealth). Now you will not accept the truth. Why don’t you deal with justice? Why don’t you listen to me?”
(Nafasul Mahmūm)
In other words, when a person’s heart becomes hard and darkness occupies it.
During the rule of the Abbasid King Mahdi, there was a Qazi named Sharīk bin Abdullah. He was an honest and upright Judge, till the time he was summoned by the king. The Abbaside King forced him to choose one from three things :
(1) Either he should accept the post of the Royal Qazi
(2) He should become the teacher of the King’s son
(3) or he should dine with the king, at least once.
The Qazi thought that easiest of the Three was to eat with the king once, so he agreed to dine with King Mahdi. The ruler ordered the royal chef to prepare the best of the dishes. When the Qazi had eaten the food, the cook remarked to his companions, “Now, Qazi SharÄ«k will never achieve salvation.”
The prediction came to be true. The HarÄm food affected the Qazi to the extent that he also accepted the other two conditions. He became the special Qazi of the King and the tutor of his children. It is said that Qazi SharÄ«k used to be very strict and unflinching with the treasurers while obtaining his share from the royal treasury.
One day the treasurer protested, “You have not sold me grain that you act so ruthless in recovering its price.” Qazi SharÄ«k replied, “Yes, I have sold something more valuable! I have sold my religion.”
One day a tray filled with delicious dishes was sent by HarÅ«n al-RashÄ«d for BahlÅ«l. BahlÅ«l did not accept it. The servants of the king said, “It is not possible to reject the present of the Caliph.” BahlÅ«l, the wise, pointed towards the stray dogs and said, “Give it to the dogs.”
The servants became angry and said, “You have insulted the royal gifts.” BahlÅ«l became silent then said, “Be quiet, if the dogs learn that this food is sent by the king, they will not touch it.”
