The Journey of Beauty's Allure
It is narrated that a young man was overcome with love when he saw a girl. He rushed to his father, seeking help to marry her, describing her enchanting beauty and captivating eyes. The father rejoiced for his son and promised to propose on his behalf.
However, when the father went and saw the girl, his joy turned to astonishment and awe. He too was captivated by her extraordinary beauty. He then told his son firmly: "Listen, my son, this girl is not for you, and you are not worthy of her! She deserves a man with experience in life, someone dependable... like me."
The son was shocked by his father's words and rejected this logic, insisting that he would marry her, not his father. The dispute escalated, and they decided to go to the police station for the officer to resolve this strange conflict.
The Race of the Covetous
When the father and son presented their case to the officer, he asked for the girl to be brought in to inquire about her choice. As soon as his eyes fell upon her, he too was overwhelmed by her charm and beauty, and immediately told them: "She is not suitable for either of you! She belongs with someone like me!"
Thus, the officer joined the list of contenders for the girl, and the argument intensified until the matter reached the Amir of the town.
When they appeared before the Amir, he promised to resolve the issue and requested the girl be brought in. As soon as the Amir saw her, he declared with princely confidence: "Indeed, only an Amir like me can marry her!"
And so, five competitors gathered for the girl: the young man, the father, the officer, the minister (implied by reaching the Amir), and the Amir himself.
The Shocking Truth
Amidst this fierce competition, the girl broke her silence and spoke in a calm voice that held the key to the solution: "I have the answer! I will run, and you will run after me. Whoever catches me first will have me and marry me."
Everyone immediately agreed, and the intense race began. The girl ran, and the five men ran eagerly and passionately after her, their eyes seeing nothing but the single goal of winning her.
Suddenly, as they were running with all their might after her, all five fell into a deep pit that they had not seen due to their intense focus on winning.
The girl looked down at them from above the pit and said in a voice that revealed the truth:
"Did you recognize me? I am the World (Dunya)! I am the one whom all people chase and compete to possess. They neglect their religion in their pursuit of me until they fall into the grave (the pit) and never truly win me!"
The Lesson and Wisdom:
This story embodies a profound symbol of the reality of the world and how its deceptive glitter can captivate minds and distract hearts.
Allure and Beauty: The girl symbolizes the allure of worldly life and its transient beauty that dazzles the eyes, making people forget higher values, ethics, and nobler goals in its pursuit.
Competition and Heedlessness: The five competitors represent various levels and classes of society vying for the world. Each believes he is the most deserving and rightful owner, oblivious to their inevitable fate as they chase after it.
The Pit and the Grave: The pit symbolizes death and the grave, the ultimate end that concludes everyone's race. No one truly possesses the world forever; it is transient, and only one's deeds remain.
It is a call to reflect on the true purpose of existence and to remember that the world is merely a short passage, never to be truly won, but rather a means to reach an eternal destination.