Learning from a Dog

بِسْمِ اللّهِ الرَّحْمـَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

Al-Hasan ibn Abi-l-Hasan al-Basri popularly known as Hasan of Basrah (حسن البصري) has reportedly prescribed to his disciples the following:


A dog possesses ten praiseworthy traits, that should be present in a seeker:

الأولى
أنه لا يزال جائعا، وذلك من آداب الصالحين

It stays in a state of hunger, and that is the etiquette of the righteous.

الثانية
أنه لايكون له موضع يعرف به، وذلك من علامات المتوكلين

The second is that he does not have a fixed place to sleep. This is the condition of wanderers who rely on God

الثالثة

أنه لا ينام من الليل إلا قليل، وذلك من صفات المحسنين

The third is that it does not sleep at night, except a little. This is the trait of the excellent ones.

الرابعة

أنه إذا مات لا يكون له ميراث، وذلك من اخلاق الزاهدين

The fourth is that it leaves behind absolutely nothing when it dies. This is the characteristic of the pious.

الخامسة

أنه لا يهجر أخاه وإن جفاه وطرده، وذلك من شيم المريدين

The fifth is that it does not forsake its master. Even if he beats it, it does not abandon him. This is a sign of the seekers.

السادسة

أنه يرضى من الدنيا بأدنى يسير، وذلك من إشارات المتواضعين

The sixth is that he accepts a humble place and remains there. This is a sign of the humble.

السابعة

أنه إذا غلب عن مكانه تركه وانصرف إلى غيره، وذلك من علامات الراضي

The seventh is that if his residence is taken over, he leaves it for another place, and this is an indicator of those pleased with their Lord

الثامنة

أنه إذا طرد ثم دعي أجاب، وذلك من اخلاق الخاشعين

The eighth is that even if its master  shoos it away, it returns happily without delay as soon as its summoned back. This is the character of the devout.

التاسعة

أنه إذا حضر شيء من الأكل وقف ينظر من بعد، وذلك من أخلاق المساكين

The ninth is that it remains at a distance and does not approach when food is being prepared. This is the attitude of the impoverished.

العاشرة

أنه إذا رحل من مكانه لا يرحل بشيء، وذلك من علامات المجردين

The tenth is that, when it moves, it does not carry any belongings. This is a symbol of the ascetics