Julani and the 40 Thieves
When Abdul Julani became a man he went to his beloved mother and said,
“Send me upon the right way. Give me permission to make hijra to Cairo, where I may salaam before the Caliph, and seek tafwid.”
His beloved mother cried, but brought out 20 pieces of gold, which was all that his father had left as inheritance. She then permitted Julani to leave, but first she made Julani promise that he would tell the truth and be truthful, whatever happened. She then said:
“May Allah protect and guide you, my son. I separate myself from that which is dearest to me for Allah's sake. I know I will not see you again until the day of Last Judgment.”
Julani joined a small caravan going to Cairo. Along the way, a band of 40 highway robbers surrounded the caravan, and robbed the travelers of all they had. When it was Julani's turn one of the bandits approached him and said,
“Young man, where are your possessions? You are plainly from a good family, and not poor.”
Julani replied, “The gold is up the camel's ass.”
The bandit shook his beard and turned away. Another bandit approached Julani and said,
“Young man where are your possessions? You are plainly from a good family, and not poor.”
Julani again replied, “The gold is up the camel's ass.”
Again, the bandit shook his beard and turned away. Another bandit approached Julani and said,
“Young man where are your possessions? You are plainly from a good family, and not poor.”
Again, Julani replied, “The gold is up the camel's ass.”
And yet again, the bandit shook his beard and turned away. The chief of the bandits then approached Julani and said,
“Young man where are your possessions? You are plainly from a good family, and not poor.”
Julani said, “The gold is up the camel's ass.”
The chief of the bandits then went behind the camel, reached up the camel's ass, and brought forth the 20 pieces of gold. The chief of the bandits then said to Julani;
“Why, when your money remained hidden, did you not remain silent?”
To which Julani replied,
“My mother commanded me to tell the truth under any and all circumstances.”
To which the chief of the bandits said:
“Because you are honest I will spare your life. However, if you desire a share of our bounty, you must join our band.”
The chief of the bandits then placed his hand on Julani's shoulder, as each of the 40 thieves grasped Julani by his hand.
And that is how Abdul Julani became a Shaikh and one of the 40 Thieves.