Hadhrat Wahab Bin Munabbah (rahmatullah alayh) narrated the following episode which should be thought-provoking for men of the Deen who have failed to understand the meaning and gravity of khiyaanat.

There was a young man in the Ummat of Bani Israaeel of bygone times. After having led a life of sin and transgression he resolved to repent. After repentance he devoted his entire life to ibaadat and thikr. Ibaadat was his sole occupation for the rest of the 70 years which he lived after his repentance.

In the 70 years of devotion he fasted every day and spent every night in ibaadat. It is recorded that as a penance he never sat in the shade for the 70 years of his reformed life, nor did he partake of any delicious food
After his death he appeared in a dream to a close friend. The friend asked: “How did you fare by Allah Ta’ala?” The Buzrug replied: “Allah Ta’ala took a reckoning of my life and forgave all my sins except one. Once I had used a toothpick without the permission of its owner. I am therefore being presently prevented from entering Jannat.”

Commenting on this fearful state of the Buzrug, Imaam Abdul Wahhaab Sha’raani (rahmatullah alayh) said: “Sometimes Allah Ta’ala apprehends His devotees for Sagheerah (Minor) transgressions such as the utilization of a toothpick without consent of its owner, and wiping one’s hands on the wall of the neighbour.”

The Divine Standard is not the same for everyone. The concept of equality which the men of the world propagate is a figment of finite and corrupt minds of the unbelievers. Allah Ta’ala has different standards for different persons.

While perhaps a major sin committed by an ignoramus will be forgiven, a close devotee will be apprehended for something which in our understanding is a minor lapse. Those who have been favoured with lofty spiritual ranks of divine proximity are expected to be exceptionally diligent and guard against the slightest deviation of the nafs and negligence.

MISAPPROPRIATION
It is quite probable that the Buzrug in this episode had not given due consideration to his act of misappropriation on account of the insignificance of the item and the awareness that the owner of the toothpick would not have any objection, hence he had excluded this act of misappropriation from his inventory of sins for which he had repented.

The insignificance of the item had engendered in him an attitude of indifference to the grave act of misappropriation. It is not the material or monetary value which is the determinant. The act itself is the subject matter. Whether one misappropriates one rand or a million rand or whether one misappropriates tangible assets (money, etc.) or intangible assets such as time, both acts are misappropriation and theft.

Workers of Deeni institutions who draw their salaries from Lillaah funds should exercise great care to save themselves from such despicable acts of theft and khiyaanat.