Do not let the rooster be more intelligent than you are

My dear beloved son! It has been told in the will of Luqman (Peace of Allah be upon him) that he, advising his son in his will, said:

“Ya Buneyya La Takununnad Deeku Akyas Minka Fainnahu Yunaadi Bil Ashaari Wa Anta Na’imun.”

“My son! Do not let the rooster be more intelligent than you are. It shouldn’t happen that he (i.e. the rooster) gets up at the last part of the night to make proclamations [for Tahajjud prayers and remembers his Lord] while you keep sleeping [in a deep sleep of heedlessness, carelessness, and ignorance].”

This reality is made clear in the following verses (of poetry):

“Laqad Hatafet Fi Junhil Laili Hamamatun

‘Ala Funanin Wahnun Wa Inni Na’imun



Kazabtu Wa Baitil Allahi Lau Kuntu ‘Aashiqan

Lama Sabaqatni Bil Buqa’il Hamaaimun



Wa Az’amu Anni Haa’imun Zu Sababatin

Lahu Bi Wa La Abki Wa Tabkil Bahaaimun.”

“At night, the dove sitting on the branch [of a tree] is calling on [to its Lord]

While I am in a deep sleep

By the Lord of the House of Allah (Ka’aba)! I am a liar! If I had been a true lover [of Allah]

Then the doves would not have won over me in weeping [in the pain of separation from my Beloved (Allah)!

Alas! I do not even wet my eyes [with tears] while claiming to love [my Beloved Lord!]

While the animals keep weeping [in their love for their Creator].”

[Imam Ghazali - Ya bunaya]