Ten Characteristics in a dog which every Mu’min should cultivate

LESSON FROM EVERY CREATION

Hadhrat Hasan Basri (rahmatullah alayh) said that there are ten characteristics in a dog which every Mu’min should cultivate.

These are:

(1) Dogs generally remain hungry. This is the attribute of the Saaliheen.

(2) Dogs (i.e. stray ones) don’t have a fixed place of staying. This is the trait of the people of Tawakkul.

(3) They sleep very little during the night. This is an attribute of Allah’s devoted Lovers.

(4) When they die they have no heirs. This is the state of the Zaahids (those who have renounced the world).

(5) They do not desert their owners even if they (owners) are unjust to them. This is the quality of true mureeds.

(6) They are contented with a little space to rest. This is a trait of the humble ones.

(7) When someone usurps the dog’s place, it departs and goes to another place. This is the practice of those who are pleased with Allah’s decree.

(8) When a dog is beaten and buffeted, it goes away, and returns when a piece of food is given to it. It completely forgets  about the past episode. This is the way of the khaashi-een (those who fear Allah).

(9) When the food is placed down, it watches from a distance. This is the attitude of the Masaakeen.

(10) When a dog shuns a place, it does not turn to look at it again. This is a sign of the grief-stricken ones

Awake1432-2011