Shah bin Shujaa’ Kirmaani (rahimahullah) was a saintly personality who hailed from a family of monarchs, but abandoned the throne and kingdom in order to tread the path of gaining the proximity of Allah Ta‘ala. He passed away before the year 300 A.H.

Once, the King of Kirmaan proposed for the daughter of Shah bin Shujaa’ (rahimahullah). Shah bin Shujaa’ (rahimahullah), however, did not accept the proposal.

Shah bin Shujaa’ (rahimahullah) thereafter went to the musjid where he noticed a poor youngster performing salaah. The youngster was performing his salaah in such an excellent manner that his salaah impressed and delighted Shah bin Shujaa’ (rahimahullah). As soon as the boy completed his salaah, Shah bin Shujaa’ (rahimahullah) approached him and asked him if he was married. When the boy replied in the negative, Shah bin Shujaa’ (rahimahullah) asked, “Would you like to marry a girl who recites the Quraan Majeed, performs salaah, fasts, and she is beautiful, clean and pure?”

The youngster excused himself and explained that on account of his poverty, nobody would get him married. Shah bin Shujaa’ (rahimahullah) said to the youngster, “I will get you married.” He also reassured him saying, “We will neither burden you nor expect anything from you.”

Shah bin Shujaa’ (rahimahullah) then instructed him to take a dirham’s worth of bread, food and perfume, and told him that the proposal was concluded.

Shah bin Shujaa’ (rahimahullah) next returned home where he spoke to his daughter and told her of his intention to marry her to the poor youngster. He praised the youngster and encouraged her to marry him, due to which she agreed. The nikaah was thus performed.

That evening, Shah bin Shujaa’ (rahimahullah) took his newly-wed daughter to the home of her husband. As soon as she entered, her gaze fell on a piece of dry bread which was placed on a jar. She asked her husband, “What is this?” He replied, “Bread which remained from yesterday. I have kept it to eat when I break my fast.” Hearing this, the girl immediately turned to leave.

Her husband immediately remarked, “I knew that the daughter of Shah bin Shujaa’ (rahimahullah) would have too much of pride to live with me, and that she would not be content with my poverty or pleased with me as a husband.” The girl immediately responded, “The daughter of Shah (rahimahullah) is not leaving your home because of your poverty, but rather because your trust and reliance in Allah Ta‘ala is weak! Furthermore, I am not surprised that this is your condition. What surprises me is how my father told me that he was marrying me to a pious youngster! How could he have described such a person as pious who does not trust Allah Ta‘ala to provide for him without first keeping a piece of bread?”

The youngster tried to explain and said, “I have a valid reason to keep the bread.” However, his wife was not satisfied and replied, “Your reason is your business. As far as I am concerned, I will not live in a home in which food is kept. Either I will leave this home, or you will remove the bread from this home.”

Accepting the correction of his wife, the youngster immediately gave the bread in charity, choosing for the daughter of Shah bin Shujaa’ (rahimahullah) to remain with him.

(Rowdhur Rayyaaheen pg. 192 and Al-Irshaad wat Tatreez pg. 87)

Lessons:

1. There is no better foundation for a blissful marriage than a pious spouse. Despite coming from a royal background, Shah bin Shujaa’ (rahimahullah) chose for his daughter a pious youngster who had no material possessions. How wise and fortunate is the person who gives due consideration to piety when selecting a spouse, as piety shows its worth in this world and the next.

Wealth sometimes goes as quickly as it comes and beauty is literally only “skin-deep”; all it takes is a small accident to irreversibly mar the once-beautiful features of the beloved. A marriage based on wealth and beauty alone is susceptible and can easily disintegrate.

2. Our seniors have great wisdom and foresight. Rather than opening a D.I.Y. kit and finding our own partner, we should trust them to find a suitable match for us. In this way we will secure their du‘aas – for which there is no substitute in gaining success – and we will secure ourselves a bright, happy future insha-Allah.

3. We are not required to empty our pantries of all the groceries nor our homes of all our comforts entirely. What we do need to do, however, is give up extravagance and ostentation (showing off) and bring simplicity into our lives.