The fish complained to Ahmad about their owners who refused to pay the zakat on livestock.

 

6 October 2025

The fish complained to Ahmad about their owners who refused to pay the zakat on livestock.

Prophet Khidr AS came to me and woke me up from my sleep in my workspace, then he said:

“O Ahmad, wake up and perform ablution, then write down everything I tell you and do not reduce a single word.

O Ahmad, truly the high heavens, the Sun and the Moon — all of these Allah created with His power. Everything in the heavens moves without colliding, and without any visible pillars holding them up. All of these bring benefits and contain great wisdom for the creatures on earth, and serve as examples for those who believe and are mindful of Allah, so that they may think.

O Ahmad, the beauty of the universe that Allah has created — none of it is meaningless. Everything is connected to bring benefit to His creations. Everything on earth is also a sign of His power. Indeed, Allah, the Almighty, does not love those who are arrogant or those who commit shirk upon the earth. Do the arrogant and the polytheists think they can extinguish the sun or change the form of the moon and the earth? Truly, such people will be humiliated in their graves and remain forever in Hell.

O Ahmad, your ship will not be burdened with a heavy load if they only knew. Nothing escapes Allah’s sight of what they do aboard your ship. Some among them weep out of sympathy for what you are going through, and some strive sincerely with you to fulfil the command for this month. Indeed, it is not a large number that makes a servant loved by Allah, nor a small number that makes one hated — but their sincerity that Allah praises tonight. Do not be sad or afraid, and do not feel humiliated if your followers ease your burden in carrying out this command. Was it not that one of your ancestors once did the same in building a business and a nation? Then Allah sent His help until that nation achieved independence and glory. Indeed, this is proof of the beauty of brotherhood and sacrifice among Allah’s servants who help one another in goodness, until Allah sends down His aid. Are you not now building a business that Allah has commanded you to, so that paths may open for establishing thirty-eight business buildings in the lands of Arkhabil? Surely Allah will not waste the efforts of those who struggle with you. Be just. It is very easy for Allah to bring blessings after you and your followers have carried out His command this month. Does this not ease your burden and theirs?”

“O Ahmad, do not be worried or doubtful about bringing the three of them closer. Tell them that this is not born of your own desire, but from Allah’s command conveyed through me. Do they think your grandfather, the noble Messenger of Allah, had an easy life in his time? What you go through with your followers is like a speck of dust upon a grain of sand on a tall mountain compared to what his people endured. The same applies to your marriage — a similar story, but with a different measure of meaning. Let your followers and the three understand what you are doing.

O Ahmad, the light that I see among the three — Allah has shown me light only in the first and the third. Allah will not test them beyond their limits until the second realises her mistake. Their patience will not be in vain but will bring blessings upon your ship. I told you this years ago, yet you were afraid and doubtful, trying to avoid it, and it became heavy for you to carry out. Was it not like when the Children of Israel refused Allah’s command to find a cow? They sought ways to avoid it, until the command became heavier because of their many questions to Prophet Musa. Then Allah gave them many conditions, making the task harder. That is an example of those who seek worldly comfort and avoid the commands of Allah they dislike. Will you be like the Children of Israel who only choose the easy commands and turn away from the difficult ones?”

“O Ahmad, settle your matter with the third. Indeed, when a woman chooses to live with a man as her husband, it is the best decision. She chooses to live with him, leaves her homeland, and willingly distances herself from her family. Allah does not burden those who are sincere; He gives them help and protection. So be patient.

O Ahmad, after your Subh prayer this morning, sit down, and I will teach you about livestock and fisheries — how to care for them and determine their zakat value — so that Allah may bless their growth on the land He has appointed for you. Do not feel burdened to do so. Did not thousands of fish once come to you, complaining about their owners who neglected zakat? They cursed them, and Allah caused thousands of fish to die in a great lake. Those fish came to you because their owners refused to pay zakat.

O Ahmad, the month I told you about before has now arrived, opening a clear path for all your followers. Soon, the year I foretold to you will also come. Be patient. In the times ahead, pay attention to your early followers who have struggled with you. Complete the establishment of three businesses in three lands after binding them with a strong agreement a few days ago. Call upon the five followers I mentioned before, and teach them about livestock and fisheries free from chemicals, so they may start in their own lands. This will protect their lands from diseases that come from animals raised with harmful substances. Their success will serve as an example for your land and others. Allah does not hide anything good or lawful — it is mankind who makes things difficult for some and easy for the greedy rich to control trade, agriculture, and livestock. They neglect zakat and chase worldly success. Be patient until Allah brings them down in disgrace and raises those who are pious, who establish prayer and pay zakat.”

“O Ahmad, look to the poor and the children of your land — they are under your care. Among your followers, a woman and two companions are waiting for your arrival at the home of the poor, the orphans, and the oppressed. Do not let differences in religion stop you from helping others. Is it not that aboard your ship there are two young men — one ill — whom Allah will heal? They belong to the same faith as the group that will soon come to you. Let them be the bridge between you and that group. Form a good agreement so that the true religion of Islam may shine as a mercy to all creation.”

— Ahmad F. Bin Abdullah A. Syams