The 41 followers of Ahmad chosen for the business

 

20th April 2025

The 41 followers of Ahmad chosen for the business

Prophet Khidr (AS) came to me with his special greeting and said:

 

“O Ahmad, tell your followers: Indeed, I never come to you except by the command of Allah, the Almighty and Majestic. And I never leave you unless He commands it. Some people in your boat have been wondering, ‘Has Ahmad no longer been visited by Balya bin Malkan?’ Or others who say, ‘Is Ahmad merely an imaginary name without any reality—just a fictional tale?’

 

Write this, O Ahmad: A spider that builds its web is not the same as a fish that lives in a vast, strong, and warm shelter deep in the cold ocean. This is a parable for those who have little knowledge yet do business with sweet words and seemingly beautiful and profitable speech, as compared to someone with true knowledge who builds a business with his understanding—without many words and without apparent display—yet the business bears fruits blessed with divine pleasure and help from Allah.

 

O Ahmad, be patient in guiding your followers to cultivate their lands. Did I not tell you that their lands contain ‘water’ that is better and more fertile? Then Allah brought you to meet a wise scholar, and Allah sent you aid, such that within just three months, you were able to receive 113 lessons from that scholar. You and your followers should be grateful, for all of this is by the will and help of Allah. Fulfil your obligation to that scholar, and give him a gift according to your ability. Do not tie any business commitment with him. For once your duty to him is complete, Allah has commanded me to give you one-third of the knowledge of my brother Khizba, and one-third of my own knowledge. This shall become provisions for your ship. Truly, no one understands the land of Arkhabil except Khizba, the son of Nuh (AS), my brother from the beginning.

 

O Ahmad, you must limit your business partnership to 41 followers, and 10 people who support the business in your brother’s land, and 13 who are involved in business in your own land. Once the rights of the poor and orphans within your ship are fulfilled, only then may your ship turn its attention to the needs of the poor and orphans outside. Be patient with the workers, the poor, and the orphans in your home—for this is the best manner of following the sunnah of your noble grandfather, the Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

 

O Ahmad, there will come some scholars and officials to your followers asking about you. Say to your followers: Answer them (these scholars and officials) with this parable—“The delicious and sweet fruit they taste comes from a tree that is tall, thorny, and dirty in appearance. And the pure and refreshing water they drink comes from a spring atop a mountain that looks barren, rocky, and dry.” That is the parable of you, O Ahmad al-Makhfiy. Let your followers reply with those parables. And say that Ahmad Fahmi bin A. Syams will never meet them (the scholars and officials) unless they first understand me, Balya bin Malkan, who bears the name Abul Abbas. Indeed, Al-Makhfiy remains a secret, revealed only to those who understand its purpose and wisdom. Is not the good and clear outcome more worthy of their reflection and effort, rather than merely wishing to sit in your presence?

O Ahmad, fulfil your duty of seclusion (khalwah) for just three days, and complete the count of 41 sincere individuals who assist you in business. Surely, they will become exemplary figures in the eyes of their children and grandchildren. Let them remain patient.

 

O Ahmad, take immediate action concerning the land Allah has granted you. Gradually build upon it a structure full of benefit that will serve as protection for you and your family. Fulfil the rights of the orphans who hold rights to that land. Surely Allah intends to reopen the benefits hidden beneath that land, just as He had once concealed them due to the greed of its former owners.

 

O Ahmad, I, Balya bin Malkan, will be present at the gathering of your followers. Let them count the flags they have made before unveiling them at that meeting. They must not open the flags until Asr time, then count them again. Truly, Allah has given me this command, just as He once allowed your noble grandfather to hand you a flag in your dream. And Allah has made that flag physically appear in a container before several of your followers. Let them be patient, avoid arrogance, and hold fast to noble character. Then, Allah will send rain as a sign of blessing upon them.”

 

Ahmad F. Bin Abdullah A. Syams