I once heard a beautiful tale about the great Sufi mystic, Farid—a story that lingers in the heart long after it is told.
One quiet night, beneath a sky woven with stars, Farid fell into a deep and wondrous sleep. In his dream, by the infinite grace of Allah, he found himself standing at the gates of Paradise.
What unfolded before his eyes was a sight beyond imagination.
The entire realm of heaven shimmered with countless lights. Millions upon millions of golden lanterns hung in the air like captive stars, while flowers of every color blanketed the landscape. Their fragrance drifted through the gentle breeze, mingling with celestial music that seemed to flow from every corner of Paradise. Joy filled the air. Everywhere there was laughter, singing, and celebration.
Curious, Farid approached a group of heavenly beings and asked, “What is happening here? Why is all of Paradise rejoicing?”
One of them smiled and replied, “Today is God's birthday. We are celebrating, and you have arrived at the perfect moment.”
Filled with wonder, Farid stood beneath a magnificent tree whose branches stretched across the sky like emerald rivers. From there, he watched a grand procession moving along a radiant road.
Soon, a majestic rider appeared upon a noble horse.
Farid asked, “Who is that man?”
The answer came immediately.
“Do you not recognize him? He is Hazrat Mohammed.”
Behind him stretched an immense crowd—millions upon millions of followers, as far as the eye could see.
“And who are all these people?” Farid asked.
“They are Mohammedans,” came the reply, “the followers of Mohammed.”
After them came Jesus, serene and radiant. An even greater multitude followed in his footsteps. Then appeared Krishna upon a magnificent golden chariot, shining like the sun itself, accompanied by countless devotees. After Krishna came Mahavira, then Buddha, and many other great spiritual teachers. The procession seemed endless, flowing like a river through eternity.
The parade continued and continued until Farid wondered whether it would ever end.
Then, at last, a strange figure appeared.
An old man rode slowly upon an old donkey. His clothes were simple. His face carried both wisdom and weariness. Most remarkable of all, he was completely alone.
No crowd followed him.
No devotees walked behind him.
Not a single soul accompanied him.
The sight was so unexpected that Farid burst into laughter.
He stepped forward and called out, “Sir, who are you? I have seen Mohammed, Christ, Krishna, Mahavira, Buddha, and countless others. Each was followed by millions of admirers. Yet you travel alone upon an old donkey. You seem almost like a joke. Why is no one following you?”
The old man's eyes filled with sadness.
In a soft voice, he replied,
“Yes, I am God.
Today is my birthday.
But some people have become Mohammedans, some have become Christians, some have become Jews, and some have become Hindus. They have attached themselves to religions, sects, and identities.
There is no one left to be with me.”
The words struck Farid like a thunderbolt.
At that very moment, the dream shattered, and he awoke.
The next day, he gathered his disciples around him and told them what he had seen.
“My friends,” he said, “from this day forward, I am no longer a Mohammedan. This dream has revealed something profound to me. I no longer wish to belong to any organized religion. I simply wish to be myself.
I wish to be with God.
At least one person should walk beside Him.”
Explanation of the Story
This story is a spiritual parable often associated with Sufi teachings. Its central message is not a rejection of religion itself, but a warning against becoming so attached to religious labels and identities that one loses direct connection with the Divine.
In the dream, the great religious founders are followed by millions of devoted followers. However, God appears alone because people have become attached to the intermediaries, traditions, and institutions rather than seeking a personal relationship with God.
Farid's realization is that true spirituality may require moving beyond labels such as "Muslim," "Christian," "Hindu," or "Jew" and instead cultivating a direct, authentic relationship with the Divine. The story encourages self-discovery, sincerity, and spiritual freedom while reminding us that religious identities should not overshadow the ultimate goal: closeness to God.
Vocabulary List
| Vocabulary | Indonesian Meaning |
|---|---|
| Wondrous | Menakjubkan |
| Shimmered | Berkilauan |
| Fragrance | Aroma / Harum |
| Celestial | Surgawi |
| Magnificent | Megah |
| Radiant | Bersinar |
| Devotee | Penganut yang taat |
| Weariness | Kelelahan |
| Thunderbolt | Sambaran petir (kiasan: kejutan besar) |
| Profound | Mendalam / Sangat bermakna |
Useful Expressions from the Story
Lingers in the heart → Membekas di hati.
Beyond imagination → Melampaui imajinasi.
As far as the eye could see → Sejauh mata memandang.
Flowing like a river through eternity → Mengalir seperti sungai dalam keabadian.
Burst into laughter → Tertawa terbahak-bahak.
Struck like a thunderbolt → Menghantam seperti petir (memberi kesadaran mendadak).
A direct relationship with the Divine → Hubungan langsung dengan Tuhan.
Cultivating spiritual freedom → Menumbuhkan kebebasan spiritual.
Gathered his disciples around him → Mengumpulkan murid-muridnya di sekelilingnya.
Walk beside Him → Berjalan di sisi-Nya.
