The story of the Old Harpist

By

Shahla Farghadani

The Story of the Old Harpist

Who in Omar’s reign would play the harp in the middle of the graveyard without any food just for the sake of God

• During the caliphate of Omar there was a man with the melodious voice who used to play a harp. The beauty of his voice was such that it greatly effected men, women and children. Whenever he used to pass by singing on his way from the jungle, even the birds and animals used to gather to listen to him.

• Gradually, as he grew older and his voice through old age became less attractive, those who used to rave over his voice began ignoring him. Now where ever he went, no one would even ask about him. Thus his fame and popularity vanished and he began to experience of solitude of being known, and as a result starting feelings pangs of starvation and hunger.

• Noticing this selfish disinterest amongst the people, one day when

he was very sad, he said to himself: “ O God, when I had a beautiful

voice, people used to flock around me like butterflies and they

entertained me from all sides. Now I have been ignored as I have

become old and my voice is no longer beautiful. These selfish

people are even fleeing from my shadow. How sorry I am that I had

attached my heart to such unfaithful people! How full of deceit was

not this contact with them! If I only had turned to thee, if I only had

remained busy day and night with thy remembrance, and if only I

had fixed my hopes on thee, then I would not have seen the

disappointment of this day”.

• Pir Changi's heart became very sorrowful and tears started flowing

from his eyes.

Suddenly at the moment from the unseen, the force of

Jazb pulled his heart towards God.

"When on the earth there fell my tears,

In the heavens rose the star of my bondage. "

Pir Changi uttered one long cry, turned his back to

the people and like a madman went towards the

graveyard in Madine. There he took refuge in a

cave of an ancient grave wherein he sat down and

weeping bitterly prayed:

“O God, today I am the guest, because people have discarded

me. There is for me no other place of refuge except with thee.

There is now no one except Thee to purchase my voice.

Acquaintances have left me and old age has overtaken me. Now I have no other refuge except with Thee. O God, I turn to Thee with great hopes. Do not send me back disappointed”. Pir Changi prayed earnestly:

• "O God People were like moths around me when my voice was good.

• Now there is jeering for my voice

• And useless is this art of harp and instruments.

• Now Thy help to me is most necessary.

• My musical art has become useless."

• My story is a lesson for all.

• Even though Pir Changi is of bad character

• But Thy Majesty is indeed Great.

• Except for Thy door there is no other refuge.

• Leaving you, where else shall I go?

• After trying all other plans of mine,

• Now only to Thee do I turn my sight."

"O Omar there is one servant of Mine who, because of

his melodious voice, used to be very well loved and

popular among men. Now, because of old age, the beauty

of his voice has disappeared and all the people have

discarded him and this fall from grace and popularity has

become the cause of his repentance and his turning

towards Me. Now My Infinite Mercy has purchased his

soul.

Pir Changiremained in the ancient cave, remaining busy with his cries to God while tears

continued to stream from him until the Mercy of God got into action.

In this way Omar was informed by means of inspiration:

• Even though he may have been a sinner and negligent, I accept his cries

• For in My sight there is no other refuge for My bondsman, save in Me.

• O Omar take some wealth from the Baitul Maal, go to the graveyard and give My Salaam

• to this troubled bondsman of Mine. Give the money to him and inform him that as from

• today God has made him near to Him and that He has granted him a special favor.

• Now there is no need for him to be sad and grieved. Omar tell this bondsman of Mine

• that from now onwards God has, from the unseen, arranged for his daily sustenance".

• Omar, on receiving this message

through inspiration, became

restless. He took some money

from the Baitol Maal and

proceeded towards the graveyard

in Madine. When he arrived there

he saw an old man lying asleep in

an ancient grave with a harp next

to him, and with the sign of tears

on his face and beard. He

immediately realized that through

those tears he must have reached

this rank.

Omar, respectfully remained standing in front of the grave for PirChangi to wake up, so that he could give him the glad tidings of Salaam from God.

While standing there, Omar sneezed and Pir Changi opened his eyes. On seeing the Omar he became filled with fear so much so that he began trembling. He feared that Omar would punish him, because of the musical instrument that was lying next to him. During that time it was well known that Omar used to beat up with his stick the wrong-doers, for committing wrongs.

However, when Omar saw Pir Changi was trembling in fear, he said to him:

• "Fear not, I have come to you to bring to you glad tidings from your Lord."

He said:

• "Why should the stick of Farouqfall on him,who cries before the Lord?

God has inspired unto me

And informed me of your name

And He has showed to me your high rank. So that I can come to you at your place.

He has told me to inform you:

• “I have chosen you, fortunate one”

And he has ordered me to take from the Treasury Some money to hand to you. "

When Pir Changi had heard of God's bounty and gifts from the mouth of Omar, He began trembling in gratitude and sorrow. And began to bite his own hands in anger. Thinking of his erstwhile negligence. he cried:

• 'O God, without likeness; seeing Your mercy and bounty,

I am filled with shame at Your favor.'

• He cried and in anger threw the harp down, breaking it into pieces

And said to it: 'You have deprived me of God's Love

And have led me astray from the path of truth.

For seventy years you drank my blood

• And for that time have I sinned and been unmindful.

Till I have now become an old man

And through you my face has been black in God's sight."

Omar observed all this and it affected him so deeply that tears came to his eyes. He said:

• "O Man, this crying and weeping of yours is a sign of your intelligence.

• Your life is enlightened through your nearness to Lord. Verily the tears of sinners are very valuable in the sight of God."

• “God equates the tears of sorrow and grief from the eyes of a sinner With the blood emanating from a martyr."

Through the company of Omar and his blessings, Pir

Changi became an eminent Shaikh of Tariqat and

entered the ranks of the Awliyaa Allah (saints of God).