Once a man came to Ibrahim ibn Adham (may Allah be pleased with him) and told him that I was very depressed. He asked why you are depressed? he said, I cannot control myself; please give me something to help me with it. After hearing his story, Ibrahim ibn Adham advised him that if he accepted five conditions and put them into his practice, his disobedience would cause no harm to him.
First condition Ibrahim Ibn Adham
The man said tell me what those conditions are. The first condition Ibrahim ibn Adham was when you want to disobey Allah and not eat anything He provides. The man said that ALLAH creates everything in the world, then how I will get anything to eat? Ibrahim said,
“Is it right to eat his provision and disobey him simultaneously?”
He said no, it is not right.”
Second condition:
He then asked about the second condition. Ibrahim ibn adham said:
“When you want to disobey him, move away from His land.”
He said this is even more difficult.
“In that case, where will I live?”
Ibrahim ibn Adham said
“It is right to eat his provision and live on His land while disobeying Him.”
He said.
“No, it is not right.”
Third Condition:
The man then asked about the third condition.
Ibrahim said
“When you want to disobey Him despite eating His provision and living on His land, find a place where He will not see you and disobey Him.”
The man said what do you mean, Ibrahim? He knows everything. He knows what is hidden and what is not. Ibrahim said:
“So is it right to disobey Him when you eat His provision and live on His land and when you know that He can see everything you do? The man replied that it certainly is not!”
Fourth Condition:
He asked Ibrahim ibn Adham that tell me the fourth condition.” Ibrahim said:
“When the Angel of Death arrives to take your soul, you say to him, ”Give me a reprieve so that I can repent and act righteously for Allah.
The man said, but he would not listen to me!”
“Then, if you cannot ward off death long enough to give yourself time to repent, and you know that when it comes, there will be no reprieve, how can you hope to be saved?”
Fifth condition:
The man then asked about the fifth condition. Ibrahim ibn Adham said:
“When the angels of the Fire come to you to take you to the Fire, you don’t go with them.”
The man said they would take me whether I like it!”
Ibrahim said
“How can you hope to be saved?”
The man said enough,
Ibrahim! I ask Allah’sAllah’s forgiveness, and I turn to Him!”
The madman’s repentance was sincere; from that time on, he was assiduous in his worship and avoided acts of disobedience until he died.
