would remain empty like before. Finally, evening time was approaching and signs of helplessness were apparent on king’s face.

Anxious and stunned, he stepped forward and held beggar’s hand. He lowered his gaze and apologised to him. Then, he humbly said: ‘O bondman of Allah Almighty! You tell now that what secret lies in this bowl that it does not fill up?’

The beggar replied in a serious tone: ‘There is no especial secret hidden in it. This bowl is actually made up of human desires. Human desires can never be fulfilled. No matter how much you fill it up, the bowl of desires always remains empty. Moreover, it always remains open to demand for more.’ (Hirs, pp. 172 - 174; summarised)

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب           صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

Dear Islamic sisters! No matter how rich a person becomes or how destitute she ends up being, the bowl of her desires never fills up. Majority of people in our society do not look satisfied over their condition. They keep developing new desires inside them.

No one’s content upon their earnings

It is narrated: A person came to a pious person whose Du’as were accepted and started crying over his poverty. He said: ‘Hadrat! I have four people to feed at home and my monthly income is only Rs. 5,000 which is not sufficient to cover my expenses. Please make Du’a for an increase in my salary.’ The pious person made Du’a for him.

Then, a shopkeeper came and humbly said: ‘Huzoor! I have four people to feed at home whereas I am the only one who earns. I earn 10,000 per month but cannot meet my expenses. Please make Du’a for an increase in my earnings.’