Once in human history, there was a man named Luqman. He was not a prophet but a very pious and wise man. He was born in Africa but later caught as a slave and sold in another country. It is the story of Luqman and his Son.
Who was Luqman?
Luqman was very respected and wise. He was very beloved by Allah, and his status was as high as Allah mentioned in the Quran.
He always gave sound advice to his children. His advice’s similarly excellent and helpful for all children of the world.
Once Luqman advised his son,
“Oh, son! Do not bind your heart to seek the pleasure of people. You are not likely to be successful. Ignore what people say. Instead, tell yourself always to seek the pleasure of God.”
Story of Luqman and His Son
Luqman dearly wanted his son to remember the lessons. He advised his son never to forget these lessons. He thought of a way. Once, he asked his son to ride a donkey. His son obeyed his order. The son rode a donkey, and his father followed him. They travelled for some miles. On their way, they faced a group of people. One of them said, “what an evil and impolite boy. See father is walking, and the son is riding the donkey. This is so bad he is not giving respect to his father.
Luqman and his son heard this. They changed their positions; the son came down from the donkey, and Luqman started to ride a donkey. After travelling some miles, they faced a group of people. One of them said listen, older man, this is not fair that you are comfortable riding a donkey and your son is walking behind you in hot son. It is not a way to bring up a son.
Journey and donkey:
Luqman came down from the donkey. Both Luqman and his son started walking. The donkey walked in front of both. After passing some miles, People observed them and said, “How foolish you are? Why are you walking behind a donkey? Why don’t you ride it?”
Luqman and his son again focused on what people said. They both rode the donkey and went some miles away. They reached in front of the river. There was a bridge to be crossed. Some people were sitting there. People saw Luqman and his son riding the donkey. One of them said, “It is fierce and unkind of you two to ride on the donkey. The little animal can hardly take your entire burden.”
So taking this advice, Luqman and his son came down from the donkey. They travelled some miles. Looking very carefully, Luqman said to his son, “You have seen and heard what the people said. It must have certain you, by now, that whichever you move or do, one cannot satisfy the world’s people.” He pointed towards the flowing river and said,
“A person can build a wall across the river. It will stop the flow of the water. But it is impossible to shut the people’s mouth from criticism.”
The same is the case with this world. Our tongue has no bone. Even it can speak without thought. There are many people in the world, so there are as many opinions as there are. It is inhuman to find faults in others even when doing something good.
A person can feel terrible when he listens to everyone who talks badly. So, To avoid getting hurt by lousy talk, a person should train himself. He can manage himself to think. By thinking, he can know what is void and wrong. When a person is sure that what he is doing will satisfy his Master, Allah, he must never worry about what others speak.
Few pieces of Advice from Hazrat Luqman
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Worship Allah Alone
وَإِذْ قَالَ لُقْمَـٰنُ لِٱبْنِهِۦ وَهُوَ يَعِظُهُۥ يَـٰبُنَىَّ لَا تُشْرِكْ بِٱللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّ ٱلشِّرْكَ لَظُلْمٌ عَظِيمٌۭ
And [mention, O Muhammad], when Luqman said to his son while he was instructing him, “O my son, do not associate [anything] with Allah. Indeed, association [with him] is great injustice.” (AlQuran 31:13)
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Be good to Parents
وَوَصَّيْنَا ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ بِوَٰلِدَيْهِ حَمَلَتْهُ أُمُّهُۥ وَهْنًا عَلَىٰ وَهْنٍۢ وَفِصَـٰلُهُۥ فِى عَامَيْنِ أَنِ ٱشْكُرْ لِى وَلِوَٰلِدَيْكَ إِلَىَّ ٱلْمَصِيرُ
And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him, [increasing her] in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years. Be grateful to your parents and Me; to Me is the [final] destination. (AlQuran 31:14)
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Remember Allah’s might
يَـٰبُنَىَّ إِنَّهَآ إِن تَكُ مِثْقَالَ حَبَّةٍۢ مِّنْ خَرْدَلٍۢ فَتَكُن فِى صَخْرَةٍ أَوْ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ أَوْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ يَأْتِ بِهَا ٱللَّهُ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَطِيفٌ خَبِيرٌۭ
“O my son!” (said Luqman), “If there be (but) the weight of a mustard-seed and it were (hidden) in a rock, or (anywhere) in the heavens or on earth, Allah will bring it forth: for Allah understands the finest mysteries, (and) is well-acquainted (with them). (Al-Quran 31:16)
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Don’t Be Arrogant
وَلَا تُصَعِّرْ خَدَّكَ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَمْشِ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مَرَحًا ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ مُخْتَالٍۢ فَخُورٍۢ
“And swell not thy cheek (for pride) at men, nor walk in insolence through the earth; for Allah loveth not any arrogant boaster. (AlQuran 31:18)
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Lower Your Voice
وَٱقْصِدْ فِى مَشْيِكَ وَٱغْضُضْ مِن صَوْتِكَ ۚ إِنَّ أَنكَرَ ٱلْأَصْوَٰتِ لَصَوْتُ ٱلْحَمِيرِ
And be moderate in your pace and lower your voice; indeed, the most disagreeable of sounds is the voice of donkeys.” (AlQuran 31:19)
