[vanillawafer]

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Abu Huraira said:
Allah's Apostle (peace be upon him) deputed me to keep Sadaqat (Al-Fitr) of Ramadan. An individual came and started taking handfuls of the foodstuff (of the Sadaqa) stealthily. I took hold of him and said, "By Allah, I will take you to Allah's Apostle (peace be upon him)." He said, "I am needy and have many dependents, and I am in great need." I released him..

In the morning the prophet (peace be upon him) asked me, "What did your prisoner do yesterday?" I said, "O Allah's Apostle ! The person complained of being needy and of having many dependents, so, I pitied him and let him go."

The prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Indeed, he told you a lie and he will be coming again."

I believed that he would show up again as Allah's Apostle (peace be upon him) had told me that he would return. So, I waited for him watchfully. When he (showed up and) started stealing handfuls of foodstuff, I caught hold of him again and said, "I will definitely take you to Allah's Apostle(peace be upon him) . He said, "Leave me, for I am very needy and have many dependents. I promise I will not come back again." I pitied him and let him go.

In the morning the prophet (peace be upon him) asked me, "What did your prisoner do." I replied, "O Allah's Apostle! He complained of his great need and of too many dependents, so I took pity on him and set him free."

The prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Verily, he told you a lie and he will return."

I waited for him attentively for the third time, and when he (came and) started stealing handfuls of the foodstuff, I caught hold of him and said, "I will surely take you to Allah's Apostle (peace be upon him) as it is the third time you promise not to return, yet you break your promise and come." He said, "(Forgive me and) I will teach you some words with which Allah will benefit you." I asked, "What are they?" He replied, "Whenever you go to bed, recite Ayat-al-Kursi: 'Allahu la ilaha illa huwa-l-Haiy-ul Qaiyum' (Allah, there is none worthy of worship but He, the Ever Living the One Who sustains and protects all that exists.) [Surah Al Baqarah Ayah 255 (Ayat-ul-Kursi) ] till you finish the whole verse. If you do so Allah will appoint a guard for you who will stay with you and no satan will come near you till morning." So, I released him.


In the morning, the prophet (peace be upon him) asked, "What did your prisoner do yesterday?" I replied, "He claimed that he would teach me some words by which Allah will benefit me, so I let him go."

The prophet (peace be upon him) asked, "What are they?" I replied, "He said to me, 'Whenever you go to bed, recite Ayat-al-Kursi from the beginning to the end "Allahu la ilaha illa huwa-lHaiy-ul-Qaiyum".' He further said to me, 'If you do so, Allah will appoint a guard for you who will stay with you, and no satan will come near you till morning.'

(Abu Huraira (R.A.) or another sub-narrator) added that they (the companions) were very keen to do good deeds. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "He really spoke the truth, although he is an absolute liar. Do you know whom you were talking to, these three nights, O Abu Huraira?" Abu Huraira said, "No." He said,

"It was Satan."


Narrated by ABu Huraira. [Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 3, Book 38, Number 505]

salam

[vanillawafer]

Whenever the Prophet's (pbuh) followers reaped their first harvest, they brought early, fresh fruits to him. Then he would distribute them among those who sat around him. One morning, a poor man brought one fruit from his small farm and gave it to the Prophet..

The Prophet (pbuh) accepted the gift, tasted it and then went on eating it alone while the companions watched. One of those present meekly said, "O Prophet of Allah, have you overlooked the right of those who watch while you eat?" The Prophet (pbuh) smiled and waited till the man who had brought the fruit had gone. Then he said, "I tasted the fruit and it was not yet ripe. Had I allowed you to have some of it, someone would have definitely shown his distaste, thus disappointing the poor man who brought this gift. Rather than make him feel bitter, I accepted the bitterness."

salam

[Rida]

Once Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), during his caliphate, was going on his usual rounds towards Harrah (a suburb of Madinah) with his slave Aslam, when he saw a distant fire in the desert. He said, "There seems to be a camp. Perhaps, it is a caravan that could not enter the town due to night fall. Let's go and look after them and arrange for their protection during the night."

When he reached there, he found a woman and some children. The children were crying. The woman had a pan of water over the fire. Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) greeted her with peace and, with her permission, went near her. (The woman didn't recognize that it was Umar)..

Umar, "Why are these children crying?"
The Woman, "Because they are hungry."
Umar, "What is in the pan?"

The Woman, "Only water to soothe the children, so that they may go to sleep in the belief that food is being prepared for them. Ah! Allah will judge between Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) and me, on the Day of Judgment, for neglecting me in my distress."

Umar (weeping), "May Allah have mercy on you! How can Umar know of your distress?"

The Woman, "When he is our Amir, he must keep himself informed about us."

Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) returned to the town and straight away went to the Baitul Mal (House of Charity) to fill a sack with flour, dates, fat, and clothes, and also drew some money. When the sack was ready, he said to Aslam, "Now put this sack on my back, Aslam."

Aslam, "No please, Amir-ul-Momineen (prince of believers)! I shall carry this sack."

Umar refused to listen to Aslam, even on his persistent requests to allow him to carry the sack, and remarked, "What! Will you carry my load on the Day of Judgment? I must carry this bag, for it is I who would be questioned (in the Hereafter) about this woman."

Aslam most reluctantly placed the bag on Umar's (may Allah be pleased with him) back, who carried it with a swift pace right to the woman's tent. Aslam followed at his heels. He put a little flour and some dates and fat in the pan and began to stir. He blew (with his mouth) into the fire to kindle it.

Aslam says, "I saw the smoke passing through his thick beard."

After some time, the pottage was ready. He himself served it to the family. When they had eaten to their fill, he made over to them the little that was left for their next meal. The children were very happy after their meal and began to play about merrily.

The woman felt very grateful and remarked, "May Allah reward you for your kindness! In fact you deserve to take the place of Khalifah instead of Umar."

Umar consoled her and said, "When you come to see the Khalifah, you will find me there."

He sat for a while at a place close by and kept on watching the children. He then returned to Madinah. On his way back, he said to Aslam, "Do you know why I sat there, Aslam? I had seen them weeping in distress. I liked to see them laughing and happy for some time."

[Rida]

sayyidna Ali Bin Abi Taalib (ra) became hungry one day and in need of food. Therefore, he asked sayyidah Fatimah (ra) to go to her father, the Prophet (sallAllahu alaihi wasallam) to ask him for food. So she went to her father, and Umm Ayman (ra) was there at the time. sayyida Fatimah (ra) knocked on the door..

The prophet (sallAllahu alaihi wasallam) told Um Ayman (ra): "Indeed this is the knocking of Fatimah, and she has come at a time which she does not regularly come in".

When sayyida Fatimah (ra) entered upon the prophet (sallAllahu alaihi wasallam), she said: "O Prophet of Allah, the food of the angels is tahleel (Saying La Ilaha Illa Allah), tasbeeh (Saying Subhan Allah) and tahmeed (saying Alhamdulillah), so what is our food?" He replied: "I swear by him who has sent me with the truth that a fire has not been lit in my house for thirty days! And we have received some goats, so if you will, I'll order for you five goats, and if you will, I will teach you five words which Jabriel (as) has taught me".

She said: "Teach me the words which Jabriel (as) has taught you". He said: "Say: O Allah you are the first of the first, O Allah you are the last of the last, O Allah you are the lord of unbreakable might, O Allah you are the one who has mercy on the poor, O Allah you are the most merciful of the merciful".

sayyida Fatimah (ra) said: So I left and entered upon Ali, in which he asked: "What happened?" She replied:"I left you for dunya (the worldy life) and I came back with akhira (the hereafter). Ali (ra) said: "This is the best of your days"

[Rida]

Once the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) fell asleep with his head on the lap of Sayyidna Ali (Radiallahu anhu).[1]
In the meantime, the time for the `Asr (late afternoon) prayer was passing.
`Ali kept looking at the sun and began worrying, but he (ra) didn't feel it was appropriate to disturb the Blessed Prophet (sallAllahu alaihi wasallam)'s sleep.
The time for `Asr prayer slowly passed and as `Ali (ra) noticed this, he became extremely sad and a tear rolled down his face and landed on the blessed prophet (sallAllahu alaihi wasallam)'s cheek.
The Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) awoke and asked Ali (Radiallahu anhu) if he had offered his prayer.
`Ali (Radiallahu anhu) replied in the negative.
The holy prophet (sallAllahu alaihi wasallam) raised his blessed hands and supplicated to Allah (Almighty and Glorious is He):


"Allâhumma! innahû kâna fî Tâ`atiqa wa Tâ `ati rasûlika"

"O Allah! He was in your obedience and the obedience of Your Prophet."


Then He (sallAllahu alaihi wasallam) gestured at the sun and as a result, the sun returned and `Ali (Radiallahu anhu) was able to perform his `Asr prayer on time.

[1]
* Abû Ja`far Ahmad Tahâwî (229-321AH), Mushkilul-Âthâr
* Jalâlud-Dîn Suyûtî (d. 911AH), al-Khasâ'isul-Kubrâ
* Qâdî `Iyâd (476-544AH), ash-Shifâ`

[Rida]

Abu Bakr's (Radhiyallaho Anho) Sufferings for Islam.


In the beginning, those who embraced Islam had to keep their faith secret, as far as possible. As the Muslims were being constantly persecuted by the Quraish, even the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe Wasallam) advised all new converts to practice Islam secretly, so that they might not have to suffer at the hands of Quraish. When, however, the number of Muslims reached 39 or so, Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho Anho) made a suggestion for the open preaching and practicing of Islam. The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe Wasallam) would not agree, but, when Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho Anho) insisted, he gave his consent and so all of them went to the Haram (Kaaba) for inviting others to Islam. Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho Anho) began to speak, and the Khutbah given by him was the first ever delivered in the annals of Islam. Hamzah (Radhiyallaho Anho) the Prophet's uncle and the Chief of Martyrs embraced Islam on that very day, while Umar (Radhiyallaho Anho) came into the Muslim fold on the third day of this address.

No sooner did Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho Anho) start speaking than the idolaters and disbelievers from amongst the Quraish fell upon the Muslims from all sides. Despite the fact that he was considered to be the noblest and most respectable of all the people in Mecca, Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho Anho) was beaten to such an extent that his nose and ears and his entire face were besmeared with blood. He was kicked, thrashed with shoes, trampled under feet and handled most roughly and savagely. He became unconscious and half-dead.

Everyone hoped that he would survive this brutal onslaught. Banu Teem, the people of his clan, came and carried him to his house. They also announced in the Haram that if Abu Bakr succumbed to the injuries, they would in retaliation take the life of Utbah bin Rabiah, who had taken the most active part in the attack. Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho Anho) remained unconscious the whole day. People round him shouted his name again and again to know if he was in senses, but he would not speak. Late in the evening however he opened his eyes and showed signs of consciousness.

as soon as he was able to speak, he inquired, "How is the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe Wasallam)?"The people were most disappointed with him and they said, "How is it that, despite all this calamity and after virtually remaining in the jaws of death all day long on account of the Prophet, (Sallallaho alaihe Wasallam), as soon as he has come back to consciousness he has nothing else to talk about, but the Prophet himself."

They left Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho Anho), much disgusted at his devotion for the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe Wasallam), after they were satisfied that he was out of danger. They advised Umme Khair, his mother, to give him something to eat. But least minding his food, Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho Anho) would incessantly and impatiently ask his mother the same question again and again i.e., "How is the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe Wasallam)?"

On her showing ignorance about the welfare of the prophet (Sallallaho alaihe Wasallam), Abu Bakr entreated her to go to Umme Jamil (Umar's sister) and find out from her the latest news about the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe Wasallam). The mother could not refuse the request of her son in this pitiable condition, and hurried to Umme Jamil's (Radhiyallaho Anha) house to inquire about the welfare of Mohammed (Sallallaho alaihe Wasallam). Like other Muslims of that time, Umme Jamil (Radhiyallaho Anha) was also keeping her faith secret. She therefore concealed her knowledge about the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe Wasallam) saying, "Who is Mohammed and who is Abu Bakr? Why should I know anything about them? I am however sorry to learn about the condition of your son; if you like, I can go with you to see him."

umme Khair agreed and they both came to Abu Bakr. On seeing Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho Anho) in that miserable condition, Umme Jamil (Radhiyallaho Anha) could not control herself and began to cry, saying, "Woe to the ruffians for what they have done to a man like Abu Bakr. May Allah punish them for their misconduct."

Regardless of what Umme Jamil (Radhiyallaho Anha) said, Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho Anho) had the same words on his lips viz., "How is the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe Wasallam)?"

Umme Jamil (pointing towards Umme Khair), "Is it safe to say anything in her presence?" Abu Bakr, "Do not worry about her. Tell me quickly how is the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe Wasallam)?" u
umme Jamil, "He is quite well." Abu Bakr, "Where is he at this moment?"

Umme Jamil, "He is at Arqam's place." Abu Bakr, "By Allah! I will not eat anything until I have looked at him." His mother was very anxious to feed him. She knew that when he had sworn by Allah he would not break his oath and, therefore, would not eat under any circumstance. She therefore agreed to take him to Arqam's place. She had to wait till the street was least frequented by the people and she was able to take him to that place undetected by Quraish. When they both reached Arqam's place, Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho Anho) saw the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe Wasallam) and clung to him weeping profusely. The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe Wasallam) reciprocated. All the Muslims who were present there also began to weep bitterly over the condition of Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho Anho).

Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho Anho) then introduced his mother Umme Khair to the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe Wasallam), saying, "She is my mother, oh Prophet of Allah! Pray for her and induce her to accept Islam." The prophet first prayed for her and then preached to her. She accepted Islam there and then.

Many people can claim to be lovers while in ease and comfort. But a lover is a real lover when he is able to prove his love even in tribulation and adversity

may Allah bless our master muhammed and his family and companions

[thejellymill]

the one about abu huraira speaking to satan and the one about umar anonymously feeding the hungry woman and children get me every time

jazzakallah khair for creating this thread.

[vanillawafer]

Once, a person was verbally abusing Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) while the Prophet (peace be upon him) was curiously watching with a smile. After taking much abuse quietly, Abu Bakr responded to a few of his comments. At this, the Prophet exhibited his disapproval, got up and left. Abu Bakr caught up with the Prophet and wondered, 'O Messenger of Allaah, he was abusing me and you remained sitting. When I responded to him, you disapproved and got up.' The Messenger of Allaah responded,
'There was an angel with you responding to him. When you responded to him, Satan took his place.' He then said ..

'O Abu Bakr, there are three solid truths: If a person is wronged and he forbears it (without seeking revenge) just for the sake of Allaah almighty, Allaah will honour him and give him the upper hand with His help; if a person opens a door of giving gifts for cementing relationships with relatives, Allaah will give him abundance; and, if a person opens a door of seeking charity for himself to increase his wealth, Allaah will further reduce his wealth.'


Reported from Abu Huraira in Mishkaah and Musnad Ahmad.

salam

[vanillawafer]

Saad bin Abi Waqas (may Allah be pleased with him) one day heard a man grumpling; when he listened closely to what he was saying he realized he was abusing Ali, Talhah and Zubair (may Allah be pleased with them). He told him to stop, but he would not listen and continued. Finally, Saad bin Abi Waqas (may Allah be pleased with him) lost his temper, and said if he did not control his tongue he would put a curse on him. Arrogantly the man told him that he was arrogating powers to himself and he asked him if he thought he was a Prophet..

Listening to the man's bitter words, he merely turned away. He went, made his ablutions for prayer and offered two supererogatory units of prayer. Then he entreated Allah Almighty:

"Oh Allah you know that this man is abusing men of purity, with whom You Yourself are Pleased because of their goodness. Surely You will not approve of theses abuses. May this man be a lesson for such other men."

He had barely done with his supplications when people saw that a raging she-camel had broken away from the rope which tethered her, and leaving her home had entered in the midst of a crowd of people. It seemed as if she was looking for a particular person. In seconds she had the head of a person in her bloodthirsty jaws and was shaking it violently from side to side. Finally his neck broke and in no time he had become the prey of death. People were stunned in silence. The dead man was non other than the one who had been abusing the noble companion a few minutes earlier, and against whom Saad bin Abi Waqas (may Allah be pleased with him) appeared. He had indeed become a lesson for people.


From Commanders of The Muslim Army By Mahmood Ahmad Ghandanfar

salam

[vanillawafer]

The boy, the king, and the monk

Suhayb reported that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said, "Among those before you there was a king who had a sorcerer. When he was old, he said to the king, 'I am old, so send me a lad to whom I can teach sorcery.' He sent him a lad for him to teach. When the boy was on the way, he came upon a monk. He sat down to listen to his words and liked what he heard. Whenever he went to the sorcerer, he would pass by the monk and sit with him. When he came to the sorcerer, the sorcerer would beat him. He complained about that to the monk who said, 'When you are afraid of the sorcerer, say, "My family kept me." And when you are afraid of your family, say, "The sorcerer kept me"'..

"While all this was going on, he came upon a great beast which was barring the people's way and said, 'Today I will find out who is better, the sorcerer or the monk.' He took a stone and said, 'O Allah, if what the monk does is preferable to You to what the sorcerer does, then turn this beast aside so that the people can pass.'

He threw it and killed the animal and the people went on. He went to the monk and told him and the monk said to him, 'O my boy, today you are better than I am. I see the point that your business has reached. You will be tested and, when you are tested, do not point me out.' The boy used to heal the blind and the lepers and treat people for all their ailments.

A companion of the king who was blind heard this and brought him many gifts. He said, 'All that I have gathered for you here is yours if you heal me.' He said, 'I do not heal anyone. It is Allah Almighty who heals. If you believe in Allah Almighty, I will pray to Allah to heal you." So he believed in Allah Almighty and Allah Almighty healed him.

He went to the king and sat with him as he used to do. The king said to him, 'Who has returned your sight to you?' He said, 'It was my Lord.' He said, 'You have a Lord other than me?!' He said, 'My Lord and your Lord, Allah.' So he seized him and did not stop torturing him until he pointed out the boy. The boy was brought and the king said to him, 'O boy, your sorcery has reached the point where you heal the blind and the lepers, and you do such-and-such and such-and-such.' He said, 'I do not heal anyone. It is Allah Almighty who heals.'

He seized him and did not stop torturing him until he pointed out the monk. The monk was brought and told, 'Renounce your religion.' He refused. He called for a saw and placed the saw on the centre of his head and split it until the two halves fell apart. Then the companion of the king was brought and told, 'Renounce your religion!' He refused, and the the saw was placed on the centre of his head and split it until the two halves fell apart. Then the boy was brought and told, 'Renounce your religion,' and he refused. He handed him over to a group of his companions and said, 'Take him to such-and-such a mountain, and take him up the mountain. When you reach its summit, if he has not renounced his religion, throw him off.'

They took him and brought him up the mountain and he said, 'O Allah, save me from them in whatever way You will.' The mountain shook and they fell. He walked to the king and the king said to him, 'What has happened to your companions?' He said, 'Allah Almighty saved me from them.' He handed him over to a group of his companions and said, 'Take him and put him in a ship and take him to the middle of the sea. If he does not recant, then throw him into it.' They took him and he said, 'O Allah, save me from them in whatever way You will.' The ship capsized and they were drowned. He walked back to the king and the king said to him, 'What has happened to your companions?' He said, 'Allah Almighty saved me from them.'

He said to the king, 'You will not kill me until you do what I command you.' He said, 'What is that?' He said, 'You should gather the people together on one plain and crucify me on a palm trunk. Then take an arrow from your quiver and put the arrow in the centre of your bow and say, "In the name of Allah, the Lord of the boy," and then shoot it. If you do that, you will kill me.'

So he gathered the people together on one plain and crucified him on a trunk and then took his arrow from his quiver and placed the arrow in the middle of the bow and then said, "In the name of Allah, the Lord of the boy," and then shot it and the arrow struck his temple. He put his hand on his temple and then died. The people said, "We believe in the Lord of the boy." The king was brought and told, "Do you not see that, by Allah, your fear has brought about the very thing you were afraid of! The people have believed."

So he commanded that a trench be dug with openings onto it and had fires lit in it. He said, 'Throw into it, anyone who does not renounce his religion or tell him to jump.' They did that until a woman came with one of her children. She hesitated to jump into it and the child said to her, 'Mother, be steadfast! You have the truth.'"


Sahih Muslim
From Imam Nawawi's Gardens of Paradise

salam

[rahat]

Originally Posted by Rida

Once the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) fell asleep with his head on the lap of Sayyidna Ali (Radiallahu anhu).[1]
In the meantime, the time for the `Asr (late afternoon) prayer was passing.
`Ali kept looking at the sun and began worrying, but he (ra) didn't feel it was appropriate to disturb the Blessed Prophet (sallAllahu alaihi wasallam)'s sleep.
The time for `Asr prayer slowly passed and as `Ali (ra) noticed this, he became extremely sad and a tear rolled down his face and landed on the blessed prophet (sallAllahu alaihi wasallam)'s cheek.
The Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) awoke and asked Ali (Radiallahu anhu) if he had offered his prayer.
`Ali (Radiallahu anhu) replied in the negative.
The holy prophet (sallAllahu alaihi wasallam) raised his blessed hands and supplicated to Allah (Almighty and Glorious is He):


"Allâhumma! innahû kâna fî Tâ`atiqa wa Tâ `ati rasûlika"

"O Allah! He was in your obedience and the obedience of Your Prophet."


Then He (sallAllahu alaihi wasallam) gestured at the sun and as a result, the sun returned and `Ali (Radiallahu anhu) was able to perform his `Asr prayer on time.

[1]
* Abû Ja`far Ahmad Tahâwî (229-321AH), Mushkilul-Âthâr
* Jalâlud-Dîn Suyûtî (d. 911AH), al-Khasâ'isul-Kubrâ
* Qâdî `Iyâd (476-544AH), ash-Shifâ`

wow i didnt know you guys believed this story

[Musashi]

Stories of Umar radhiyya Allahu 'anhu like that one always make me so sad! And yet so amazed at how kind a leader could be. I wish we had a khalifa like him in our time...

Wonderful post, akhee Rida! Jazaka Allahu khairan!

That one about Abu Bakr (radhiya Allahu 'anhu) and the angel is very interesting.

And, er, to Rahat, the Prophets had miraculous things happen to prove that they are indeed sent by Him because Allah is capable of everything and anything, so breaking His own 'rules' is easy.

What's so strange about that story, though I haven't heard it before?