Crossing the Tigris

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ 

Shaykh Muhammad Nazhim Adil al-Haqqani (q.s.) said that once, Shaykh Abu Sa’id ibn Abu al-Hasan Yasar al-Baswri (q.s.) was sitting at the Tigris River in Baghdad, waiting for the ferry to come so as to cross over to the other side.  His student, Shaykh Habib ibn Muhammad al-‘Ajami al-Baswri (q.s.) came along.  He said, “My master, what are you waiting here for?” 

Shaykh Hasan (q.s.) said, “I am waiting for the ferry boat, to cross to the other side.” 

“You are the shaykh.  Why are you sitting here waiting for that raft?  Come and say ‘Bismillah’ and walk”.  Then Shaykh Habib (q.s.) recited, “Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim,” and walked on the Tigris to the other side. 

It was then that Shaykh Hasan (q.s.) cried, “This ‘ajami is crossing the Tigris and I am sitting here!”  Shaykh Hasan (q.s.) knew the power of Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim, but his student had certainty.  Shaykh Hasan (q.s.) did not have enough certainty to say “Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim”, and walk on the water.  We are in need of certainty more than knowledge.  In our time, people run after learning.  Where is the benefit?  They may learn much, and then forget much.  But certainty never leaves us.  Certainty is the seed of knowledge; we can plant it and it grows.