For God's Mercy Can be From Small Things

• For God's Mercy Can be From Small Things *
  
  Imam Asy-Shibli once gave two counsel:

1. If you want to feel your heart calm and serene with God, do not obey your desires.

2. If you want to be loved by God then love His creatures.

Inside his dream, Asy-Syibli is dying. Then, after his death he was asked about his situation, and he replied, "Allah swt. ask me,
'O Abu Bakr, do you know why because I forgive your sins?'
I replied, 'For my good deeds.'
Allah SWT. said, 'No.'
I said, 'For the sake of my worship.'
Allah SWT. said, 'No.'
I added, 'For the Hajj, my fast and my prayer.'
Allah SWT. back to saying, 'No.'
So I asked, "Why, O my God?"

Allah SWT. replied, 'Remember when you walked in a hallway, in Baghdad? Did not you find a kitten limp from the extreme weather until she curled up in the corner of the building? With affection, then you take it, put it in a basket you carry, protect it from the cold air? '
I replied, 'Yes. I remember. '
Allah SWT. says, 'Because of your love for that kitten, I give you grace.' "

Imam Nawawi Al-Bantani