The Invisible Pipeline
The taxi driver and I shared one thing in common: indulging in the art of listening and understanding. From Sharjah he cruised at a constant speed towards Dubai.
Studying his profile from time to time, I saw he was about 54, a sparse, almost ordinary man, but there was in his voice that indefinable tone, a persuasive softness, a tone calculated at once to awaken and to soothe, and in his eyes a twinkle, reflecting the state of a man who has found a treasure.
We talked of spiritual things from various viewpoints. Midway, he asked me what exactly I did for a living and I told him, “I’m in advertising.”
In response to my question about how he earned his livelihood, he smiled enigmatically and said, “The taxi is just an excuse to enable me to do something else, something worthwhile.”
When I probed deeper, he turned and gave me long, hard look, as if sizing me up. “I think you are a good man; and a good man can always do more good,” he observed laconically and then lapsed into silence.
Then suddenly, he asked, “What is your name?”
“Idris.” I replied.
“AlHamdulillah!” he exclaimed, and then said, “My other business, Idris, is Sadaqa”.
“Sadaqa? What’s Sadaqa business?” I ventured, although I wasn’t unaware of what Sadaqa meant. But Sadaqa— an occupation?
He smiled again, a serene smile and said softly, “You know my friend, in the world of mathematics, you can add, subtract, divide and multiply in precise quantities. You cannot increase what you have, by dividing it or giving it away. But, in the spiritual world, things work differently.
“The more you give of what you value, the richer and more prosperous you become. Whether you give of your wealth, or your time, or your love, your care or wisdom, you can never impoverish yourself by giving generously. The Almighty will recompense our generosity in multiples of a thousand [alfan alfa].”
I took a deep breath, trying to digest what he’d said.
He looked at me sharply, “Sounds unbelievable, but it’s true. What do we really own? It is how we spend what is entrusted to us.
“I gave a man in need a thousand dirhams,” he continued, “The next day, my brother called me from back home to say that our old house has been sold for a good profit of ten thousand dirhams. I helped build an orphanage, and the divisional court quashed a long running dispute against our farm.
“Incidents like these keep happening to me, in cash and in kind. And I keep on giving, going out of my way to search for lost souls whom I can help with whatever I can.”
He then quoted from the Holy Quran, “Who is he that will loan to Allah a beautiful loan, which Allah will double unto his credit and multiply many times?”
He then looked at me with a radiant smile, “My brother Idris, ‘Fee Sabeelillaah’ (spend in the way of Alláh) belongs to the world of the heart and the spirit, not to the world of mathematics.”
When we reached Dubai, I realized that I had learned a lot about life from this man, and asked him for his mobile number. He said, “We’ll meet again if it’s Allah’s wish. Until then, keep on giving. And, yes, remember, He will open the tap for you, all you have to do is to extend the pipeline.”
I have followed his advice and today, I am part of the great invisible pipeline.
It was three months later, when I stopped a taxi near the Dubai Museum. The man at the wheel was wearing a peak cap, his back hunched, his collar turned up, and his face hidden, while I had a kafiyyeh (scarf) wrapped around my face, for there was a sandstorm blowing.
“How much for Jumeirah Corniche?” This was during the time when no meter taxis were around in Dubai.
“Ten dirhams!” answered the driver.
“That’s not fair,” I said.
“What will you pay, then?” he retorted.
“Thirty,” I muttered matter-of-factly.
Without a moment’s hesitation he said, “Yalla—faddal!” (come on, get in!)
At Jumeirah corniche, I promptly paid him the thirty dirhams I promised and opened the door to step out.
“In a great hurry, Idris?” he asked.
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Idris,
Couldnțt you find any better philosopher than a taxi driver that has memorized few phrases?
Hi Idris,
The way you have narrated the incident is really interesting. I agree with you 100% –
Mathematics only worries about credit and debit, but heart and spirit deals with something much more than that which is of giving and taking! and no wonder, matters of heart and spirit are more sustainable than mathematics and science…
Thanks for sharing such a wonderful piece of experience!
Freeman, I don’t agree with your comment. Just because he’s a taxi driver doesn’t mean he can’t be wise. He didn’t memorize any phrases. He was more of a doer than a talker. True philosophers/sufis aren’t always in the limelight. They are hidden away in a sea of lesser mortals. The lucky ones (like Idris) sometimes have the chance to meet them and learn from them.
Wonderful piece, Mr Lien. Loved the way you ended it.
AlHamdulillah, Idries is lucky to encounter one of “them” twice. There are tens of thousands of such incidents happening every minute, every day in every part of the world. They work invisibly for no personal profit. Giving is only a part of their activity. When one is fortunate to meet one of them one’s life is changed, because they affect the heart.
It is said, “Speak to each person in accordance with his/her understanding”. The narrator seems to have reported only a part or extracts from the experience, since the average person is generally unfamiliar with such doings, as evidenced from the first post to this article.
These people exist, and some are also women: Refer to the story, “Waiting for the Rain”. There’zen old lady who became a mystic when only a teenager (not mentioned in the story). She explains the protagonist why there should be pauses in life. Go to—-
http://www.pitara.com/talespin/stories/online.asp?story=52
Like this cabbie, they are well-concealed and nondescript, for you can look at them twice without seeing them. Their calling is just a front; they may range from shoe mender to owning societe anonyme company to sovereign ruler. A million seats of learning, billions of worldly books and pedagogic academics pale in comparison with the wisdom, experience, and special knowledge of these people.