ADVANTAGES OF MERIT:

STORY OF IMAM AHMAD AND  THE BEAKER

Once when Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal went traveling and when the night came he stopped at a mosque in the village was relaxing his body.

But the mosque's guards did not recognize Imam Ahmad. The guards did not allow him to rest in the mosque even several times requested and appealed by Imam Ahmad.

Imam Ahmad then moved along from the mosque. Up outside a mosque Imam Ahmad collided with a baker who was on his way home.

The seller of bread rebuked Imam Ahmad and they chatted for a while. After knowing the story of Imam Ahmad was not allowed to rest in the mosque, the baker invited Imam Ahmad  to stay for  the night at his hous.

Tthe baker treats Imam Ahmad righteously as a guest. He served food and drink and chat for a moment without him knowing that his guest was a great imam, Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal. While  Imam Ahmad  is resting, the baker  baked his  bread for him to sell for  the next day.

Imam Ahmad observing only the baker who was performing noble work from the beginning until he is ready to bake the bread. It's interesting to note Imam Ahmad, the work makes it the bread baker never pronounces forgiveness on his lips. While the hand of the baker swiftly create employment, nor moistened her lips with forgiveness endlessly and tirelessly.

So Imam Ahmad asked the baker:

"I saw you perform your job while reciting endless forgiveness. What is so long did you practice that? What is the result that you can?"

Replied the baker:

"That's deeds (MERIT) was so long I do endlessly and tirelessly."

"And I found that the benefits of such deeds, none of my desire which I pray to God, He  will be put his pleasant and I am always will be entertain by Allah.

"Is your desire been  fulfill by God?" Imam Ahmad asked again.

Replied the baker:

"I intend to meet with the  great scholar  in this era of Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal."

Imam Ahmad was shocked and stunned to hear the answer of the baker. Then he said:

"Apparently this was all God's plan a very great. I was not allowed to rest in the mosque because to come here to fulfill the prayer and petition."

"What do you mean by that dear honored guestr?" asked the baker with amazement.

"I am the Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal  that you pray to God to meet." Imam Ahmad said with tears in his eyes.

Subhanallah ...

He said that means:

"Whoever reproduce seek forgiveness (ask forgiveness of Allah), Allah will make him every grief the way out and on every hardship there is ease and God will provide for him (meats) from the direction which is not unexpected."  (HR. Ahmad, Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah)

Wallahu'alam.