Story Number 21:
Sitrah and Its Issue
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Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) says that (one day) I came riding a donkey to the presence of the Prophet (peace be upon him). At that time, I was close to reaching puberty. The Prophet (peace be upon him) was praying in the place of Mina without a sitrah (barrier). I also passed in front of some rows, left the donkey to graze, and joined the row myself, but the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not forbid it.
Benefit:
A sitrah, meaning some kind of barrier between the one praying and the one passing in front of him, is necessary. Since Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) was a small child and not yet mature at the time of this incident, the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not question him for passing in front of the row. From this, it also becomes clear that if a person prays in a place where it is not a common passage for people, then the need and importance of a sitrah is not as significant as it is in the case of a common passage.
Story Number 22:
A Dream of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
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Hazrat Ibn Umar رضي الله عنه says that I heard the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ say that once I was sleeping, and in my dream, I was given a large bowl of milk. I drank from it until I was fully satisfied and felt the signs of refreshment coming out from under my nails. Then I gave the leftover milk to my stepson Umar ibn Khattab رضي الله عنه. The Companions رضي الله عنهم asked, “Then what was the interpretation given by the Prophet ﷺ?” He said, “I do not know.”
Benefit:
In light of this incident, scholars who interpret dreams say that if a person sees himself drinking milk in a dream, its interpretation is “acquisition of knowledge.” From this, the high status and virtue of Hazrat Farooq-e-Azam رضي الله عنه in the sciences of Prophethood also become clear.
Story Number 23:
What if there is ever doubt?
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Hazrat Uqbah bin Harith (may Allah be pleased with him) says that I married the daughter of Abu Ahab bin Aziz. After the marriage, a woman came and said that she had breastfed both me and the woman I married. I replied that I did not know that you had breastfed me, nor did you inform me beforehand (so that I would not have married her). Therefore, I mounted and went to the presence of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, in Madinah and asked him about the matter. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: “When it has been told to you, how can the marriage remain?” So I separated from that woman, and she married another man.
Benefit:
In the view of Shariah, a boy and girl who have been breastfed by the same woman can never marry each other. Like blood relations, this relationship is also extremely effective in prohibiting marriage. This is conclusively proven from the Quran and Hadith. On this basis, the Prophet, peace be upon him, forbade Hazrat Uqbah bin Harith (may Allah be pleased with him) from marrying a woman about whom there was doubt that both of them might have been breastfed by the same woman. From this, it is also understood that if a person has doubt in any matter, certainty cannot be abandoned on the basis of doubt.
Story Number 24:
An Important Principle of Imamat
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Hazrat Abu Masood Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) says that a person said to the Prophet (peace be upon him), “O Messenger of Allah, perhaps I will not be able to keep up with the congregation prayer because such-and-such person recites very long.” (The narrator says) From that day onwards, I never saw the Prophet (peace be upon him) angry while giving a sermon. He said, “O people! You cause hatred towards the congregation. Listen! The person who is the Imam of the people should recite with moderation because among the followers there are weak, sick, and needy (all kinds).”
Benefit:
In the view of Shariah, the ease and convenience of people have been given so much consideration that no greater ease can be imagined because ‘Religion is ease’ is the command of the Prophet (peace be upon him). That is why, when the Prophet (peace be upon him) came to know that Hazrat Muadh bin Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) recited long in prayer, he asked him three times, “Do you want to cause people to fall into trial?” The Imam should lead a light prayer and consider the followers standing behind, but it should not be so brief that the pillars of the prayer cannot be performed properly.
Story Number 25:
Ruling on Lost Items
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Hazrat Zaid bin Khalid Jahni (may Allah be pleased with him) says that a person asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) about an item found on the road. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Tie a headband and a bag on it, make it known for one year, then enjoy it yourself. If the owner comes, hand it over to him.” Fudala asked, “What is the ruling on a lost camel?” Upon hearing this, the Prophet (peace be upon him) became angry, his face turned red with extreme anger, then he said, “What concern is it of yours? It has its water skin and shoes (the stomach container that holds water and the feet). It goes to water itself and grazes on the leaves of trees, so leave it so that its owner may find it somewhere and take care of it.” Fudala asked, “What is the ruling for goats?” He replied, “Are they for you, or for your brother, or for the wolf?”
Benefit:
The Islamic ruling on finding a lost item is that initially, one should not pick up a lost item at all. But if one does pick it up and it is valuable, then through newspapers and current media, announce its loss for one year. If the owner comes, return it to him; otherwise, if the finder is wealthy, he should give it as charity on behalf of the owner, and if he is needy, he may use it himself. However, if after that the owner comes, it is obligatory to return the item to him. Yes! If the entire situation is explained to the owner and he does not claim it, then it is a different matter.
Story Number 26:
The Virtue of Makkah Mukarramah
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Hazrat Abu Shuraih says that (once) Amr bin Saeed was sending an army towards Makkah Mukarramah (from Yazid to confront Hazrat Abdullah bin Zubair, may Allah be pleased with him). I said: O Amir! I seek your permission to narrate a Hadith of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, which he said on the second day of the conquest of Makkah. I heard it with my own ears, memorized it with my heart, and saw the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, saying it with my own eyes. After praising and glorifying Allah Almighty, he said that Allah has made Makkah Mukarramah a sanctuary; men have not made it sacred. Therefore, whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should not shed blood here, nor should they cut down its trees. If anyone argues for fighting the Prophet, peace be upon him, on the basis of shedding blood here, then tell him that Allah Almighty had given His Messenger (specifically) permission, and that permission was only for one hour during the day. Now its sanctity will be as it was yesterday. It is appropriate that this command be conveyed to those present and absent. When Hazrat Abu Shuraih was asked what Amr replied, Abu Shuraih said, Amr said: Abu Shuraih! I know more than you. Makkah neither grants refuge to a sinner nor to a person who has fled here after committing murder or theft, etc. (Meaning, Qisas and implementation of Shariah punishments are not prevented by Makkah Mukarramah.)
Benefit:
If the earth is imagined as a sphere, its central point would be exactly at the Kaaba. It is also known from the Ahadith that the expansion of the earth was made from the Kaaba. Similarly, the city in which the Kaaba is located is not an ordinary city. In the Holy Quran, it is called “Balad-e-Ameen” (the secure city), and the Lord of the Worlds has sworn by it. The aforementioned Hadith further illuminates its sanctity and holiness, stating that bloodshed and sedition are forbidden in this city, cutting down its trees is prohibited, and hunting animals is not permissible. However, the implementation of Shariah rulings here will be the same as in any ordinary city.
Story Number 27:
A Question to Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him)
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Hazrat Abu Hujayfa (may Allah be pleased with him) says that I asked Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), do you have any book (of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him)? Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) replied: Only the Book of Allah or as much understanding as has been granted to a Muslim person, or this is a scroll and nothing else. I asked, what is in this scroll? He said: The rulings regarding blood money and the freeing of captives, and the ruling that a Muslim should not be killed in exchange for the killing of a non-Muslim enemy combatant.
Benefit:
The scholars have written that the reason for this question was that in Hazrat Ali’s time, people began to consider him as possessing special divine knowledge. By denying this mindset and perspective, Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) provided proof of his utmost sincerity.
Story Number 28:
An Important Incident of the Illness Leading to Death
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It is narrated from Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) that when the illness of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) intensified, he (peace be upon him) said: “Bring paper, I will write something for you so that you do not go astray after me.” Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) is in severe pain, and the Book of Allah is sufficient for us.” This caused disagreement and confusion among the companions. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Leave me, it is not right to argue in my presence.” Ibn Abbas then left, saying that it was a great calamity that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) could not write down anything.
Benefit:
After this incident, the Prophet (peace be upon him) remained lively in this world for three more days but did not ask for paper and pen again. From this, it is understood that the Prophet (peace be upon him) was reassured by divine revelation that whatever he wanted to have written would happen as intended, and it did. However, Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) regretted that if he had been present, it would have been very beneficial, but the will of Allah was such that this kind of writing was not entrusted to paper and pen. Because if the Prophet (peace be upon him) had written something and the Ummah did not act upon it, it would have been an irreparable loss. Now, since no writing is present, following only the Book and Sunnah will be the means of human salvation.
Story Number 29:
The Amazing Memory of the Muhaddith of the Time
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Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) says, one day I said to the Prophet (peace be upon him), “O Messenger of Allah, I forget many things after hearing from you (what should I do?).” The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Spread your cloak.” I spread the cloak, and he gestured with both his hands and said, “Hold it to your chest.” I held it to my chest. After that day, I never forgot anything.
Benefit:
Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) benefited so much from the chemical prescription given by the Prophet (peace be upon him) that he became known as a “Hafiz al-Hadith” (memorizer of hadith) among the companions. After this incident, Allah strengthened his memory so much that once Marwan called him and requested him to narrate hadiths. A scribe was seated behind a curtain to write them down. After narrating the hadiths, Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) left after receiving gifts and presents. After a year had passed, he was called again, and the scribe was hidden behind the curtain. He was asked to repeat the previous hadiths. The scribe was astonished, and the entire court was amazed, saying, “O Allah! What a memory this is that he recites the hadiths narrated last year exactly the same, without any difference in letters, dots, or pronunciation.”
Story Number 30:
A Journey of Prophet Musa (Moses) عليه السلام
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Hazrat Saeed bin Jubair says that I asked Hazrat Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنه about Nauf Bukali’s opinion that the Musa with Khidr is not the Musa of Bani Israel but another Musa. Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنه said, “The enemy of Allah lies.” He narrated to me from Hazrat Ubayy bin Ka’b رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
Once, Prophet Musa عليه السلام was standing and addressing Bani Israel. After finishing his speech, someone asked, “Who is the greatest scholar?” Prophet Musa عليه السلام said, “I am the greatest scholar.” Allah Almighty was displeased that Musa عليه السلام attributed knowledge to himself and not to Allah. Therefore, Allah revealed to Musa عليه السلام that among My servants, there is one who lives at the junction of two seas who is more knowledgeable than you. Musa عليه السلام asked, “O Allah, how can I meet him?” It was commanded that he should take a roasted fish in a basket with him on the journey, and where the fish disappears, he will find that person.
Following the command, Musa عليه السلام set out, taking with him a servant, Yusha bin Nun, and both placed the fish in a basket. While traveling, when they reached a stone, they rested and laid their heads on it and slept. Meanwhile, the fish slipped out of the basket and went its way, making a tunnel in the river. This greatly surprised Musa عليه السلام and his servant. (But Musa did not realize that this was the same roasted fish that had been in the basket.) Anyway, (after waking up in the morning) they resumed their journey and traveled continuously for a day and night. (On the third day) when morning came, Musa said to his servant, “We are very tired from this journey; now bring food.” Musa had not felt tired until they had passed the appointed place, but now he began to feel fatigue after passing the designated spot. The servant said, “What can I say? When we reached this stone, I forgot the fish there (and did not mention it to you).” Prophet Musa عليه السلام said, “That is exactly what we were looking for.” So they turned back step by step.
When they reached the stone, a man appeared with his head wrapped in cloth. Musa greeted him with “Peace be upon you.” Khidr said, “Where is the custom of greeting in your land? How did you greet me?” Prophet Musa عليه السلام said, “I am Musa!” Khidr asked, “Are you from Bani Israel?” Musa replied, “Yes.” Then Prophet Musa عليه السلام said, “May I accompany you on the condition that you teach me some of the knowledge Allah has given you?”
