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Never Underestimate Anyone Or Any Reminder

There are moments in life, unexpected, that unfold before our eyes, leaving us in wonder over the Power of the Almighty. Sometimes, Allah sends forth a person who speaks words, few in number, weighty in sincerity, that forever changes our lives.

Sheikh Saleh Al-Meghamisi (may Allah preserve him), Imam of Masjid Quba, went through such a humbling, lesson-laden moment that leaves us with much to reflect on. He relates his story saying:

I was in the intensive care unit, just beginning to regain consciousness after undergoing a 24-hour open-heart surgery when the nurse in charge of me noticed a change in the blood.

He informed a doctor, who informed another. A third doctor was then called, until 14 people, among them doctors and professionals, had gathered to discuss what they should do regarding my case.

They were reading the signals from the devices over my head, and although I had no idea what the situation was, I could read fear in their faces. It seemed that the signals were not pleasant.

They called Dr. Adam, a successful Sudanese doctor, to come and see. He studied the monitor and concluded that there was congealed blood on the heart and that it had to be removed. The news came down on me like a thunderbolt. The doctor sought my permission, and although fear began to overwhelm me, Allah guided me to utter the Shahadah, followed by my head nodding in agreement.

I was disconnected from the devices around me, and the doctor left to prepare for the operation.
At that same moment, there stood to my left a Lebanese nurse who seemed to feel sorry for me due to the situation I was in. Allah guided her to gently remind me:
“Listen. Salli ‘ala al-Naby (send blessings on the Prophet), and your Lord will relieve it.”
Instantly, as anyone would respond, I said: “Allahumma sallee ‘ala Muhammad wa ‘ala Aali Muhammad.” Just like that, I said it.
I said it and all the blood came down.

The signals indicated by the machines differed, and they were unsure as to what had occurred. They called the doctor back. He arrived, looked at the screen, and said, “Sheikh Saleh, what we wanted to do and rid you of, Allah rid you of it from above the seven heavens.”

This story is not about Saleh (the Sheikh). It is about that woman whom Allah granted Tawfeeq to speak these simple words of reminder. And this is based on the teaching of the Prophet (peace be upon him), when Ubayy Bin Ka’b said, “I’ll devote all of my prayers to sending blessings on you.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “In that case, it will protect you from your worries.”

And Allah saved us from this distress with the sending of peace and blessings on his Prophet.
But again, this is not about me personally, it is about the success of this woman so that we do not think poorly of the Muslim women. If someone were to see her guise and dress, they would not assume that she knew Allah even for a moment. While I, known as the Imam and Khateeb of (Masjid) Quba, it did not cross my mind to say those words.

Sheikh’s story carries messages that we ought to reflect on for a moment. From the advice of the nurse, we are brought back to the teaching of the Prophet (peace be upon him) to his companion, Ubayy Bin Ka’b (may Allah be pleased with him).

Ubayy Bin Ka’b narrates: I asked, “O Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), I send much blessings on you. What proportion of my prayer should I devote to (sending blessings on) you?” He said, “As much as you like.”
I said, “A quarter?” He said, “As much as you like, and if you increased it would only be better for you.”
I said, “Then a half?” He said, “As much as you like and if you increased then it would only be better for you.”
I said, “Then two thirds?” He said, “As much as you like and if you increased it would only be better for you.”
I said, “I’ll devote all of my prayers to sending blessings on you.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “In that case, it will free you from your worries and your sins will be forgiven.” (Jami’ Tirmidhi)

From the Sheikh, we find an example of humbling oneself and accepting the advice of others, regardless of the position we hold. Although he is a person of knowledge, this did not prevent him from heeding the advice of the nurse, responding with immediate action.

Finally, we should never underestimate the value of a simple word of advice. Whatever we know, an effort should be made to teach it to others.
Do not belittle a sincere reminder, of appropriate timing, to your Muslim brother and sister. It may have a dramatic effect on their spiritual well-being; on their heart. Perhaps even literally.

– by Mariam E.

Allah, The Exalted Has Power Over All Things (Matters)

[ALLAH’S Quran 3:189 – Shakir] “And Allah’s is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, and Allah has power over all things.”

The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) has said :
[Bukhari, Book #54, Hadith #514] “Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said, “If one says one-hundred times in one day: “None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, the Alone Who has no partners, to Him belongs Dominion and to Him belong all the Praises, and He has power over all things (i.e. Omnipotent)”, one will get the reward of manumitting ten slaves, and one-hundred good deeds will be written in his account, and one-hundred bad deeds will be wiped off or erased from his account, and on that day he will be protected from the morning till evening from Satan, and nobody will be superior to him except one who has done more than that which he has done.”

Allah, The Exalted, Rewards The Forgivers

[ALLAH’S Quran – 42:40]
[Principle #1:] An evil act should be retaliated by an equal act [eye for an eye]; however,
[principle #2:] God rewards those who pardon and lead a righteous life.
[Principle #3:] God does not love the wrongdoers [who retaliate excessively].

The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) has said:
[Malik’s Muwatta, Book #43, Hadith #43.21.15a] “Retaliation is between women as it is between men. That is because Allah, the Blessed, the Exalted, said in His Book, ‘We have written for them in it that it is a life for a life and an eye for an eye, a nose for a nose, and an ear for an ear, and a tooth for a tooth, and for wounds, there is retaliation.’ (Sura 5 ayat 48) Allah, the Blessed, the Exalted, mentioned that it is a life for a life. It is the life of a free woman for the life of a free man, and her injury for his injury.” Malik said about a man who held a man fast for another man to hit, and he died on the spot, “If he held him and he thought that he meant to kill him, the two of them are both killed for him. If he held him and he thought that he meant to beat him as people sometimes do, and he did not think that he meant to kill him, the murderer is slain and the one who held him is punished with very severe punishment and jailed for a year. There is no killing against him.”

Aisha Radhi Allahu Anha

The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said: “The superiority of Aisha over other women is like the superiority of Tharid (a special gravy dish) to other meals.” (Bukhari)

During the final illness of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam he used to repeatedly ask, “Where will I be tomorrow?”, in the hope that he could spend his last days in the home of Aisha Radhi Allahu Anha. (Bukhari)

Once the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said to Aisha Radhi Allahu Anha: “O Aisha, Jibraeel sends salaams to you.” Aisha replied: “Upon him be salaams also together with the mercy and blessings of Allah.” (Bukhari)

The sublime character of Aisha Radhi Allahu Anha, her devotion to the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, her virtue, intelligence, and eloquence were unparalleled in history. She was a perfect symbol of Islamic womanhood. She was only eighteen years of age when the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam passed away. However, she related 2210 ahaadith.

There has been no woman like her in the whole history of Islam who understood the teachings of Islam so well and convincingly explained juristic issues to others. It is said that about a quarter of all the laws of Shariah are narrated
from her. (Fathul Baari)

Even the most eminent and learned Sahabah of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam consulted her on intricate legal issues.

Imam Zahabi, one of the most eminent scholars of the science of hadith, writes about Aisha Radhi Allahu Anha in his Tazkiratul Huffaaz: “Among the Sahabah of the Prophet who were knowledgeable in jurisprudence she was the most prominent for even the leading jurists referred intricate questions of law to her for advice. Abu Musa says that if any companion of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam amongst us had any difficulty in finding out the real understanding of any Hadith, he used to ask Aisha Radhi Allahu Anha because she invariably knew about it.”

The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam left this world while he was in the home of Hazrat Aisha Radhi Allahu Anha. Aisha mentions that the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam breathed his last while he lay between her chest and neck.
(Muslim)

She was fortunate to have the saliva of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam mixed with her own a few moments before he left this world. Allah Ta’ala so willed that she had the honor of softening the miswaak which the Prophet
Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam used just prior to him breathing his last.

Better Than A Servant

Ali Radhi Allahu Anhu narrates : “Fatima Radhi Allahu Anha complained of the suffering caused to her by the hand mill. Some captives were brought to the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. She came to him but did not find him at home. Aisha Radhi Allahu Anha was present there and Fatima Radhi Allahu Anha told (of her desire for a servant). When the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam came, Aisha Radhi Allahu Anha informed him about Fatima’s visit. So the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam came to us, while we had gone to bed. I wanted to get up but the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said, “Remain at your place”. Then he sat down between us till I could feel the coolness of his feet on my chest. Then he said, “Shall I teach you something which is better than what you have asked me? When you go to bed, say, ‘Allahu-Akbar’ thirty-four times, Subhan Allah thirty-three times and Alhamdu-lillah thirty-three times for that is better for you than a servant.” (Bukhari)

Commentary
This incident has been mentioned in Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawood, Nasai, and other books. From other narrations of this hadith, we learn more about this incident :

Fatima Radhi Allahu Anha had developed sores on her hands due to grinding flour with her hand mill. She had also developed sores on her neck due to carrying water. Sweeping her home had made her clothes dusty and baking bread had discolored her face. Now, Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam had received some slaves and Ali Radhi Allahu Anhu had heard about this. Ali Radhi Allahu Anhu advised her to go to him and ask for a servant to help her with her household chores as these had overpowered her. When she came to the house of her father she did not find him. Rather, he was in the masjid in discussion with his companions. Later, after he was told about the arrival of his daughter to see him, he came to see them in their room. The cloth that was covering Ali and Faatima Radhi Allahu Anhuma was so small that their feet were exposed when they covered their heads and their heads were exposed when they covered their feet. When he requested to enter they wanted to first dress appropriately but he asked them to remain lying down as they were. He said that he would prefer to sell the slaves that he had received and spend the money on the Ahlus Suffa as they had no food. He instead taught them certain azkaar which were better than a servant.

Ali Radhi Allahu said : “I have not left practicing on this ever since I heard this from Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam.” Somebody asked : “Not even on the night of Siffeen?” Ali Radhi Allahu Anhu replied : “Not even on the night of Siffeen.” (Muslim)

Siffeen is the name of a place close to the Euphrates where the famous battle took place between Ali Radhi Allahu Anhu and the Syrians in the year 37 Hijri. It was a trying and strenuous battle for Ali Radhi Allahu Anhu, hence the questioner asked him to see if he had remembered to practice on the advice of his master on that night too. This shows Ali’s Radhi Allahu Anhu obedience to Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam and his punctuality and discipline in worship.

It is important to note that Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam mentioned a number of different azkaar to be recited at the time of going to sleep. These are applicable to different situations and occasions. Each of these is virtuous in their own way.

The statement of Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam that these azkaar were better than a servant can mean two things. Firstly, a servant is related to this worldly life whereas azkaar are related to the hereafter. The hereafter is superior and everlasting when compared to this world. Secondly, it could mean that these azkaar are of greater benefit in fulfilling the household chores than a servant.

Lessons

  1. From this hadith, we learn that Ali Radhi Allahu Anhu was very close to the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. Proof of this is from the following :
    1. Ali Radhi Allahu Anhu was the son-in-law of Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam
    2. Imam Bukhari Rahimahullah mentioned this hadith in the section dealing with the virtues of Ali Radhi Allahu Anhu.
    3. Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam entered into their private room in a very informal manner.
  2. Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam gave preference to Aakhirah for his close family. He did not choose the comforts of the world for them. He encouraged his daughter and son-in-law towards patience and the remembrance of Allah Azza Wajal instead of acquiring a servant. Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam chose for his daughter what he chose for himself in terms of patience and azkaar in times of difficulty.It was a settled principle with the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam that he always placed his family members and those who were nearer to him in the front line in facing risk or hazard but allotted them the last place when he distributed favors, rewards, and spoils of war. When the three well-known warriors of the Quraish, Utba, Shayba, and Walid Ibn Utba, challenged the Muslims to single combat at Badr, the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam sent forward Hamza, Ali and Ubayda Radhi Allahu Anhum, although he knew about the bravery and strength of the enemy combatants. Hamza, Ali, and Ubayda Radhi Allahu Anhum belonged to the Prophet’s Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam own clan, the Banu Hashim, and were his near relatives.
  3. Scholars mention that from this hadith one learns an important technique in teaching people. Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam approached his daughter and son-in-law with extreme love and affection asking them not to inconvenience themselves by moving from their bed. He then sat affectionately between them as close as he could. He explained to them what he thought was better for them by means of kind words. Such kindness and affection will melt the heart of any person. When one wants to convince another it can be easily achieved with love and affection.
  4. This zikr makes strenuous tasks easy.
  5. Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam through this incident taught the Ummah to exercise patience in difficulty, to accumulate good deeds for the hereafter, and to be kept safe from the deceptive worldly life by focussing on the hereafter.
  6. One should encourage one’s family towards giving preference to the hereafter over the world according to their level of tawakkul and reliance upon Allah Azza Wajal.