Shaibaan Approaching The Lion!
One Year while Sufyaan Ath-Thawree (a contemporary of Imaam Abu Haneefah) was performing hajj in the company of Shaibaan Ar-Raa’i, a lion appeared before their traveling party on the road they were traveling upon.
Sufyaan said to Shaibaan, “
Look how this lion is blocking the way and terrifying the people.“
“
Do not fear,” Shaibaan said. When the lion heard Shaibaan’s words, it moved its tail, as a dog might do when it is showing how obedient it is to its master. After he approached the lion, Shaibaan rubbed its tail gently; it made another meek, subservient gesture with its body and tail, after which it hurried away into the distance, leaving the traveling party alone.
“
What is this showing off, O Shaibaan?” Sufyaan asked.
“
And was this showing off, O Sufyaan?” Shaibaan answered. “
Had I wanted to show off and gain fame, i would have placed my provisions on its back for the journey, until we reached Makkah!“
[Taken from "Glimpses Of The Lives Of Righteous People", Darussalam publishing, p. 81, quoting from "Bahrud-Dumoo", p.131 and "Sifatus-Safwah" 4/307]
Source:
http://theauthenticbase.wordpress.co...hing-the-lion/