The Piece of Paper describing Allah’s Lions: Sufi Story by Hazrat Abdul Qadir Jilani

Hazrat Abdul Qadir Jilani, while recounting an incident from his time in Baghdad, shared a remarkable story of divine intervention and spiritual enlightenment. During a period of hardship when he had been deprived of food for several days, he found himself walking towards a lesser-known street called ‘Qat’eeya Sharfiya’. In this street, there was a secluded mosque where he would often sit alone and study his lessons for the next day.

On his way to Mohalla Qat’eeya, a stranger approached Hazrat Abdul Qadir Jilani and handed him a piece of paper, requesting him to deliver it to a specific shop. Surprised by this unexpected encounter, he complied with the stranger’s request and proceeded to the designated shop. Upon arrival, he handed over the piece of paper to the shop owner, who accepted it and, in return, provided Hazrat Abdul Qadir Jilani with bread and sweets.

Carrying the bread and sweets, he returned to the mosque where he usually studied. As he sat down, preparing to enjoy his meal, he noticed a piece of paper lying near the wall. Curiosity led him to pick it up and read its contents. The words written on the paper struck him profoundly: “

Almighty Allah has stated in one of the past Books that the Lions of Allah have no desire for the pleasures of this world. Desires and pleasure in food are for the old and weak, who rely on it to gain strength for their worship.”

Upon reading these powerful words, Hazrat Abdul Qadir Jilani experienced a deep sense of awe and fear of Allah, causing his entire body to tremble and the hair on his body to stand on end. Instantly, he purged the desire to eat from his mind, engaged in two units of prayer (Rakahs), and then left the mosque without consuming the food.