Abou Ben Adhem

A miniature depicting the visit of angels to Sultan Ibrahim Ibn Adham of Balkh between 1760 and 1770.

Ibrahim ibn Adham also called Ibrahim Balkhi is one of the most prominent of the early ascetic Sufi saints.

The story of his conversation is one of the most celebrated in Sufi legend, as that of a prince renouncing his throne and choosing asceticism closely echoing the legend of Gautama Buddha. Sufi tradition ascribes to Ibrahim countless acts of righteousness, and his humble lifestyle, which contrasted sharply with his early life as the king of Balkh (itself an earlier centre of Buddhism).

Abou Ben Adhem

A Poem by Leigh Hunt (1784-1859)

“Abou Ben Adhem” is a poem that tells a story of Ibrahim’s conversation about the importance of loving one’s fellow human beings.

Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight in his room,
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,
An angel writing in a book of gold:—
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,
And to the presence in the room he said,
“What writest thou?”—The vision raised its head,
And with a look made of all sweet accord,
Answered, “The names of those who love the Lord.”
“And is mine one?” said Abou. “Nay, not so,”
Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low,
But cheerly still; and said, “I pray thee, then,
Write me as one that loves his fellow men.”

The angel wrote, and vanished. The next night
It came again with a great wakening light,
And showed the names whom love of God had blest,
And lo! Ben Adhem’s name led all the rest.

Baba’s storytime

Students, you might have heard the story of Abou Ben Adhem, who always offered sarva bhuta daya pushpam (compassion on all beings) to the Lord.

Every day he would go round the streets to serve the destitute and the handicapped and return home late at night. Once, when he returned home, he found in his bedroom an angel writing something. When he asked her as to what she was writing, she replied that she was making a list of those who love God. He wanted to know if his name is in the list but the reply was negative.

The following night, when he returned home, he again found the angel writing something. He queried, “Mother, what is it that you are writing now?” She said, “Son, I am writing the names of those who are loved by God.” He again wanted to know if his name figured in the list. She replied that his name was on the top of this list.

The essence of the story is that God is pleased when you serve your fellow human beings. The scriptures have prescribed nine paths of devotion, namely, sravanam (listening to the Lord’s stories), kirthanam (singing His glories),vishnusmaranam (remembrance of the Lord’s name), pada sevanam (service to the Lord’s Lotus Feet), archanam(worship),vandanam (salutation), dasyam (servitude), sneham (friendship), atmanivedanam (offering oneself to the Lord) i.e., complete self-surrender. But the path of service is the greatest of all.

Penance, pilgrimages, reading scriptures alone will not help cross the ocean of worldly life; One can redeem one’s life only through service.

Abou Ben Adhem became the recipient of God’s love because he spent all his time in the service of his fellowmen. God loves all, for He is the embodiment of love. But He will give Himself to those who show compassion to all beings.”

(From the Divine Discourses of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba)
– [Adapted from : radiosai]