Quietly, Imran bowed his head and was busy having breakfast with Baba when Baba started, "Imran Mian, why did you become so silent? Muslims don't remain silent while eating; that's the way of the disbelievers. I'll give you some advice—always remember this."
"Yes, Baba, please tell me, I will remember," Imran replied before putting the bite in his mouth.
"Listen, whenever you have the chance to be in the company of a pious person, sit with great respect, and before saying anything, think carefully whether it's worth saying or not. Words once spoken are gone forever, and a pious person will definitely hold you accountable for any rude remark, so that you don't repeat the mistake. But..." Baba Waqas paused.
A few moments of silence felt heavy on Imran, so he exclaimed, "Yes, Baba, but?"
Baba Waqas resumed seriously, "But when you visit the company of a saint of Allah, you must control not only your tongue but also your inner thoughts. A wali (saint) is not unaware of inner thoughts; that's why the beloved Prophet ﷺ said, 'Fear the insight (firasat) of the believer, for it is true prophecy from Allah,'" he said.
Imran understood now that the question troubling him, the one he couldn't stop thinking about, was also not hidden from Baba Waqas. He was subtly warning him. But why was Baba not answering that very question that he had voiced aloud? Specifically, who was in my room last night?
"Don't think too much. Are you worried about last night's matter?" Baba Waqas asked. Imran couldn't hold back and said, "Yes, Baba, but if you don't want to tell, it's okay."
"No, son, it's not like that—I'm not trying to hide anything from you. I just didn't want you to be troubled, but I know you won't rest until you ask. I'll tell you, but if your love is not liked by anyone, then last night, a failed attack was made on you. We were unaware. Your enemies are in our custody, and yesterday, she was crying on your chest, upset with you. When she came to know about some mischievous people from her tribe planning to bother you, she ran straight to me. We also got wind of the entire matter—the hunters were already in position, waiting for their prey to fall into our trap. And the trap was sprung—by itself, the hunter himself stepped right into it. Last night, by the command of Kaisar (the Emperor), we also arranged guards for your protection."
Imran felt as if he was listening to a fantastic story, but Baba, who is this Kaisar, and where are these guards who are protecting me?
Who is Kosar...? What kind of question is that, brother? Hadn't we told you that the name of that young lady is Kosar? Baba Waqas expressed artificial annoyance and said, عمران (Imran) was startled by Baba Baba Waqas's anger. Holding back, he said, "Brother, you must have told me, but maybe I've just forgotten."
Baba Waqas looked at Imran's confused face and smiled. Otherwise, it's also possible I forgot to tell you, but at least you should have known her name. Baba Waqas was enjoying Imran's anxiety. Imran thought it was better to just say, "Yes, Baba."
But Baba was giving some remarks about the guards, you…
"Son, they are not ordinary security guards who are visible to you; therefore, just as you cannot see your enemies at a certain time, you will also not be able to see your protectors because every human eye is incapable of seeing that creature. Human eyes are veiled with countless coverings that prevent them from viewing those beings." Baba Waqas paused his speech for a moment, looked at Imran, and continued speaking, observing his confusion.
"Look, son, Allah the Almighty did not create this world alone. He is the Lord of all worlds. Although human curiosity has shown many signs of multiple realms, it cannot yet be said that any ordinary human has gained complete knowledge of all those worlds. In fact, the human self is also a universe that not everyone understands. Only those whom Allah wishes select, and they perceive that realm, progressing step by step to attain the spiritual elevation that a true believer seeks."
"Just as a frog living in a pond perceives only that pond as the universe and does not know that beyond that pond, there are streams, rivers, and oceans inhabited by countless creatures of Allah, similarly, an ordinary person is engrossed in his small world and does not realize that his purpose of birth is not just what he understands. Instead, if he discovers the rare gem that is the aim of the universe, he can conquer many worlds and bring them under his control."
"Maybe right now, my words seem very difficult and pointless to you, but a time will come when you will understand all this. However, it's also possible that by then, I won't be around."
Imran was so engrossed in Baba Waqas's speech that he didn't realize time was passing. Suddenly, Baba Waqas stopped speaking. Imran looked up at Baba Waqas and saw him in a state of deep absorption. What suddenly happened to Baba? Imran wondered and looked at the wall clock, only to realize it was time to go to the office.
A few moments later, Baba Waqas opened his eyes, looked at Imran with a smile, and asked, "Imran, son, what are your intentions? Won't you go to the office today?"
"If it were up to me, I would leave the entire world behind and stay only in your service," Imran expressed his helplessness.
Baba Waqas replied, "No, son, I would never want that. You have a right to your parents, your wife and children, and the world. They need you too. Moreover, to maintain love, it's essential to spend some time apart. Otherwise, this closeness becomes a disease that is devouring the tree of love like a parasitic termite."
"So now, you go. But today, we have some good news for you. However, to hear that good news, you must come back to us today."
"Alright, Baba. I will come to the shrine at night on my way back," Imran said, holding out his hand for a handshake.
"But I would prefer you to come at 3 p.m. today, not in the evening," Baba Waqas gently pressed Imran's hand.
Imran nodded, kissing Baba Waqas's hand, and agreed to come at 3 p.m.
When Imran reached the office, someone told him that multiple calls had been received from home.
He called his house phone and heard his wife's voice on the other side. "Who is that, with whom you left in the dark of night?"
During the conversation, Imran was thinking about how suspicious this woman was. Whatever she was—he didn't think it necessary to tell her everything. As he said this, he disconnected the receiver.
For a few moments, Imran pondered the potential danger that could occur at home that night. But then, thinking that whatever happens will be seen, he got busy with work at the office. After the afternoon prayer, Imran kept thinking about the good news Baba Waqas was to tell him today. After much deliberation, he concluded that it was probably connected to Kosar because he couldn't feel such happiness from any other news.