Ways of The Prophet (S.A.W)

Devoutness

It has been narrated by lbn Abbas (Radi Allaahu Ta’ala Anhu) that once he visited the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and he found that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was having temperature and that he had tied a band round his head. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said. “Hold me by the hand.” He did so and the Holy Prophet walked to the mosque and taking his seat on the mimber (pulpit) said, “Call aloud for all men to gather here”. He gathered the men. Then after praising ALLAAH, he said. “The Time for my departure from amongst you is near. So if I have hit anyone on the back, he may revenge himself by doing likewise. If I have slandered any one, he may slander me. Whoever has any claim against me for money or belongings may realize it from my money or belongings. No one should have the apprehension that retaliation will cause rancour in my heart - for rancour is against my nature and is not becoming for me. Know it well that whoever recovers his rights from me, or forgives me is dear to me and helps me to go to the presence of ALLAAH with a happy heart. I do not content myself with making this announcement just once; I will make it again.” Thereafter he came down from the mimber. After performing his Zuhr (mid-day) Salaah, he went again to the mimber and made the same announcement. He also repeated his statement about rancour. He added, “If one owes me anything, he would repay it unmindful of disgrace in this world since disgrace in this world is far less grave than disgrace in the next”.

One of the audience got up and said, “You owe me three dirhams”. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said, “I neither say that the claim is false, nor ask for an oath, but I would like to know more about this debt of three dirhams”. The man replied, “One day when a beggar had come to you, you asked me to give him three dirhams”. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa SalIam) commanded him (Fadl) to give the claimant three dirhams. Then another man got up and said, “I owe three dirhams to the Baitul-Mal (public exchequer) I had once mis-appropriated this amount.” The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) asked, ‘Why did you commit misappropriation? The man replied “I was in great straits at that time”. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) asked me (Fadl) to take the money from the man. Then the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) proclaimed, “If any one is in any strait, let him ask me to pray for him (since the departure is near at hand)”. A man got up and said, “I am much given to falsehood, am a hypocrite and sleep too much. “The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) prayed for him, “O Allaah! Make him truthful by Thy Grace. Grant him perfectness of faith. Cure his excessive sleepiness”. Then another man rose up and said, “O Messenger of ALLAAH! I speak lies and am a hypocrite. There is no sin that I have not committed.” ‘Umar (Radi A!laahu Ta’ala Anhu) warned him against publishing his sins. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said, “Umar! Hold your peace. Disgrace in this world is lighter (to bear) than disgrace in the next.” Then he prayed “O Allaah! Bestow upon him truthfulness and perfectness in faith, and ameliorate his condition.” Another man now got up and said, “O Apostle of ALLAAH! I am a coward, and suffer from excess of sleep.” The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) prayed for him too. After that we marked that nobody else was as brave as he was.

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) then went to the apartment of Hadrat ‘Aishah (Radi Allaahu Ta’ala Anha), and addressed the ladies in like manner, repeating every thing that he had said before the men. A lady companion said, “O Apostle of ALLAAH! I am unable to control my tongue!” The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) prayed for her. Then he proclaimed, If any one of you is apprehensive of any of his affairs, let him come forward for such prayer (since the departure is near at hand)”. Consequently the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) prayed for a number of people for various purposes. May ALLAAH shower his infinite blessing on him. [Majma -uz- Zawa’id, Khasail-e-Nabawi]