The Believer and Disbeliever Fishing Story: Understanding Worldly Tests and Istidraj

People often measure a person’s nobility in the sight of Allah through the abundance of their worldly wealth. However, the true measure of a servant’s status lies not in the riches they accumulate, but in their maqām (spiritual station) and sincerity (ikhlāṣ) in accepting the decree (qaḍāʾ and qadar) of Allah Azza wa Jalla.

Misunderstanding the concept of sustenance (rizq) often leads to disappointment and even futūr (spiritual lethargy) in worship. To correct this perspective, scholars of Tasawwuf frequently reference authentic narrations regarding the reality of this world. One profoundly moving narration is the believer and disbeliever fishing story recorded in the book Ḥayāt al-Ḥayawān al-Kubrā, quoting Imam Ahmad in Az-Zuhd. This narrative illustrates the contrasting fates of a faithful servant and a disbeliever while seeking their livelihood.

Original Text and Narration by Imam Ahmad

This story is narrated through the chain of Nauf Al-Bikali, vividly depicting how Allah allocates sustenance for His servants in this world while reserving the true reward for the Hereafter. The original Arabic text is as follows:

روى الإمام أحمد، في الزهد، عن نوف البكالي، قال: انطلق رجل مؤمن ورجل كافر يصيدان السمك، فجعل الكافر يلقي شبكته ويذكر آلهته فتمتلىء سمكا، ويلقي المؤمن شبكته ويذكر اسم الله تعالى فلا يصطاد شيئا. قال: ففعلا ذلك إلى مغيب الشمس، ثم إن المؤمن، اصطاد سمكة فأخذها بيده فاضطربت فوقعت في الماء، فرجع المؤمن وليس معه شيء ورجع الكافر وقد امتلأت سفينته، فأسف ملك المؤمن وقال: رب عبدك المؤمن الذي يدعوك رجع وليس معه شيء، وعبدك الكافر رجع وقد امتلأت سفينته. فقال الله عز وجل لملك المؤمن: تعال، فأراه مسكن المؤمن في الجنة. فقال: ما يضر عبدي هذا المؤمن ما أصابه بعد أن يصير إلى هذا. وأراه مسكن الكافر في النار، فقال: هل يغني عنه من شيء أصابه في الدنيا؟ قال: لا والله يا رب. اه‍ حياة الحيوان الكبرى

Translation:

Imam Ahmad narrated in Az-Zuhd, from Nauf Al-Bikali, who said: “A believing man and a disbelieving man went fishing together. The disbeliever cast his net while invoking his deities, and the net was pulled up full of fish. Meanwhile, the believer cast his net while invoking the name of Allah the Exalted, but he caught nothing.

They continued doing this until sunset. Eventually, the believer caught a single fish. He took it in his hand, but it thrashed and fell back into the water. The believer returned with absolutely nothing, while the disbeliever returned with a boat overflowing with fish.

The believer’s guardian angel felt sorrow and said, ‘My Lord, Your believing servant who calls upon You has returned with nothing, while Your disbelieving servant has returned with a full boat.’

Allah Azza wa Jalla then said to the believer’s angel, ‘Come.’ He showed him the believer’s dwelling in Paradise. Allah said, ‘Will the hardship that befell My believing servant harm him after he eventually reaches this place?’

Then Allah showed him the disbeliever’s dwelling in Hellfire, and said, ‘Will anything he attained in the world avail him?’

The angel replied, ‘No, by Allah, O my Lord.'”

The Reality of Sustenance from a Tasawwuf Perspective

Through the narration above, we are invited to view the reality of life through the lens of baṣīrah (spiritual insight). This event offers several fundamental lessons regarding Islamic creed (ʿaqīdah) and the purification of the soul (tazkiyat al-nafs).

1. A Test of Patience for the Believer

The believer invokes the name of Allah upon casting his net, yet catches nothing until the sun sets. Even the single fish he finally catches slips away. This sequence of events teaches that dhikr and prayers for opening sustenance do not always manifest as instant material rewards. Allah tests His servants to measure their sincerity and patience. Worldly bitterness often serves as an expiation of sins, ensuring the believer meets Allah in a state of purity.

2. The Concept of Istidraj for the Disbeliever

Conversely, the disbeliever invokes his idols and immediately retrieves a full net. This is a clear manifestation of istidrāj (a divine lure). Allah delays their punishment, allowing them to immerse themselves in illusory worldly pleasures, causing their sins to accumulate. Smooth worldly affairs for a rebellious person do not indicate Divine affection; rather, they are a severe trial leading to a greater ruin.

3. The Magnificence of the Ultimate Reward

Divine justice is not measured by the events of this fleeting world. The dialogue between Allah Azza wa Jalla and the angel reaffirms this. The believer’s dwelling in Paradise erases all the fatigue, hunger, and disappointment experienced on earth. On the other hand, the flames of Hell obliterate every memory of the worldly wealth the disbeliever once enjoyed.

Comparison Table: The Reality of the Believer and Disbeliever

To clearly understand the underlying differences in Nauf Al-Bikali’s story, observe the following comparison:

FAQ: Understanding Divine Tests and Sustenance

Conclusion

Being a believer means adopting a perspective that transcends the physical boundaries of worldly life. This fishing story acts as a profound reminder not to despair when prayers seem unanswered. Conversely, we must never feel secure if we commit sins while our lives remain comfortable. Allah knows best what is proper for His servants. Remain steadfast (istiqāmah) upon the path of the religion, adorn yourself with noble character and etiquette (adab), and seek nothing but the pleasure of the Divine.

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