Tuhfa:The Minstrel Divine

This is the tale of an Iranian Muslim lady saint named Tuhfa who sacrificed her life to the love of God. Although she was a poor slave girl misunderstood by the people as a nomic. In fact she was intoxicated with the love of God. In the introduction, the learned author has compared the tenets of divine love giving example from all the religions including Hinduism, Buddhism and Christian mysticism. Hazrat Siri Siqti, the preceptor of Hazrt Junaid was inspired in his prayers to search out the lover of God. He found a lady imprisoned in the mental hospital in chains and fetters. Having talked with her, he tried to get her released from the mental hospital. The lady’s master who had purchased her for 20,000 dinars told Hazrat Siqti that he was attracted to her by her beauty and divine effulgence surrounding her. She neither ate nor drank but passed all her time in the remembrance of God and His love. All the night, Hazrat Siqti prayed to God to enable him to purchase her. In the morning, a rich man was inspired by God to help Hazrat Siqti with the price for purchasing the lady. Thus, having pleased her the master and the richman turned Dervishes. Hazrat Siqti found her in Kaba asa a lean and emaciated figure due to austerities. She was accepted by the Lord as His own lover. Thus, having changed the life of three persons. Tuhfa attained the abode of the Lord. But her life story narrated by the realized saint Dr. Bankey Behari will change the life of many seekers who will go through this inspiring tale of the divine lover.