CHILDREN'S CORNER

Isamai'luya had told me that he had sailed with several sailors from Uman ( Oman ) on board of his ship for Qanbulah in the year 310 AH. But, the ship was seized by a violent storm and they found themselves in Sufala in the Land of Zanj in East Africa . Canoes surrounded our ship and the natives led us to their king. We feared for the worst. Instead, we found a handsome young man, well-built and we told him the truth that the storm had carried our ship to his shore. He said: “Unload your goods; you have nothing to fear and carry on with your trade. We did good business and the king did not impose any tax on us.

We enjoyed his hospitality for several months, and when it was time for us to go, we sought his permission, which he gave us. He walked with us as far as the shore, and came abroad our ship to see us off. While they were on board, a wicked thought entered into my mind that the king could be sold for a lot of Dinars at the slave market. We hoisted sail and raised the anchors, while he was still on board expressing his friendship and inviting us to return to his country for trade, if we pass this way again.

When he saw that ship was moving, his face changed. “You are leaving, and I bid you farewell,” and he rose to go back to the canoe. We consoled him that he had been good to us that we would take him to our country and reward you for the hospitality shown to us. He protested but we did not heed them. After this he kept aloof and did not speak with us. When we arrived in Uman, we sold him as a slave along with others, which we carried in our ship.

In the year 331, we left Uman for Qanbulah, and by a Divine Decree the wind carried us again to the land of Sufala . As soon as the people of Zanj saw us they seized us and carried us to the palace of their king – and there was the same king, seated on the throne as if we had left him a moment before. We were seized with a great fear, and fell prostrate before his throne; and we knew that we would most certainly lose our lives for the wrong, which we did to him.

But, he said” “Look up,” he said. “I give you my pledge for safety and for your persons and your property.” Some of us looked up, whereas others could not through shame. However, he spoke to us in a friendly way. We sought his forgiveness, and he said to us: “Betrayers! I treated you well and you repaid me by treating you as you did!” We again asked him to forgive us. And, he said: “I have already forgiven you; you may carry on with your trade!”

We therefore carried on our trade, and loaded our ships; and when it was time for us to go we asked his permission to sail. And, he said: “Go sail, but under the protection of God!” We begged him to narrate to us the story about how he found his way back to his home.

“When you sold me in Uman, my master took me to Basrah, where I learned from the Muslims prayers, fasting and learnt to read the holy Qur'an. Then, my master took me to Baghdad and we stayed there for a whole year. Then, we came across a caravan from Khurasan mounted on camels bound for Hajj, and were on their way to Makkah to do their pilgrimage. And, I discreetly left my master and followed their caravan to Makkah. They instructed me in the rites of pilgrimage and I donned on the Ihram of the pilgrims bound for Hajj. And, by the help of the Almighty God, I completed my pilgrimage.

Fearing to return to Baghdad and face my master, I reached Egypt , and from there, after great trials I managed to reach the Land of Zanj . I was now in my own country, but feared the people had elected another king to rule over them, and he would not look kindly on my return. I made cautious enquires from an old woman who told me that they had no king other than Almighty God.
The next morning, I entered my palace, and found my family just as I had left them, and they were all glad on my safe return from abroad. I told them my story, and my conversion to Islam outlining its tenets and they rejoiced and took allegiance on my hand that they would henceforth lead their lives as Muslims. I became their king just one month before your arrival, and am now full of joy and happiness for Allah had graced me and my subjects to the True Faith of Islam. Therefore, I have forgiven you since you were the cause of leading me to Islam.”

We all marveled at his story and bade him farewell and he said: “And, if you come again, I will treat you in a better way than what I have done now. As far as accompanying you on board, I prefer not”! We bade him farewell and left the Land of Zanj.