Author: Dr. Muhammad Zia-ur-Rahman Azmi (رحمه الله)
Chapter: The Acceptance of the Supplication of One Who is Dutiful to His Parents
✿ Narration from Ibn ʿUmar (رضي الله عنهما):
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Three men were walking, and rain forced them to take shelter in a cave in a mountain. A rock from the mountain rolled down and blocked the entrance of the cave, trapping them inside.
They said to each other: ‘Look at the righteous deeds you have done purely for the sake of Allah and supplicate to Him by mentioning them. Perhaps He will relieve us of this rock.’
One of them said: ‘O Allah, I had elderly parents and small children for whom I herded sheep. When I returned home in the evening, I would first milk the animals and offer the milk to my parents before giving it to my children.
One day I went far in search of grazing, and when I returned home, it was already evening and my parents had fallen asleep. I milked as usual and stood by their heads with the bowl, not wanting to wake them nor to give my children before them, although the children were crying at my feet. I remained in this condition until dawn.
O Allah, if You know that I did this seeking only Your pleasure, then relieve us so we can see the sky.’
Allah caused the rock to move until they could see the sky.
The second man said: ‘O Allah, I had a cousin whom I loved more than any other woman. I tried to seduce her, but she refused until I gave her one hundred dinars. I worked hard and collected the amount and went to her. But as I was about to fulfill my desire, she said: “O servant of Allah, fear Allah and do not violate the seal unlawfully.”
I got up and left her. O Allah, if You know that I did this seeking only Your pleasure, then relieve us further.’
Allah moved the rock a bit more.
The third man said: ‘O Allah, I hired a laborer for a few measures of rice. When he finished his work, I offered him his wages, but he left them and turned away. I continued to invest his wages until they grew into a herd of cattle with a shepherd. Later, he came back and said: “O servant of Allah, fear Allah and do not wrong me; give me my due.”
I told him: “Go to the herd of cattle and its shepherd, and take them.” He said: “Fear Allah and do not mock me.” I said: “I am not mocking you; take them all.” He took them and left.
O Allah, if You know that I did this seeking only Your pleasure, then remove the remaining part of the rock.’
Allah then removed the rest of the rock and they were able to leave the cave.”
(Muttafaqun ʿalayh: Narrated by al-Bukhārī 5974, Muslim 2743)
Key Message:
This narration illustrates how sincere and righteous deeds, especially those involving kindness to parents and fulfilling trusts, can become a means of removing great difficulties through sincere supplication (duʿāʾ). Allah accepts these supplications because of the pure intentions and the sincere acts of worship.
And Allah knows best.
Chapter: The Acceptance of the Supplication of One Who is Dutiful to His Parents
✿ Narration from Ibn ʿUmar (رضي الله عنهما):
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Three men were walking, and rain forced them to take shelter in a cave in a mountain. A rock from the mountain rolled down and blocked the entrance of the cave, trapping them inside.
They said to each other: ‘Look at the righteous deeds you have done purely for the sake of Allah and supplicate to Him by mentioning them. Perhaps He will relieve us of this rock.’
One of them said: ‘O Allah, I had elderly parents and small children for whom I herded sheep. When I returned home in the evening, I would first milk the animals and offer the milk to my parents before giving it to my children.
One day I went far in search of grazing, and when I returned home, it was already evening and my parents had fallen asleep. I milked as usual and stood by their heads with the bowl, not wanting to wake them nor to give my children before them, although the children were crying at my feet. I remained in this condition until dawn.
O Allah, if You know that I did this seeking only Your pleasure, then relieve us so we can see the sky.’
Allah caused the rock to move until they could see the sky.
The second man said: ‘O Allah, I had a cousin whom I loved more than any other woman. I tried to seduce her, but she refused until I gave her one hundred dinars. I worked hard and collected the amount and went to her. But as I was about to fulfill my desire, she said: “O servant of Allah, fear Allah and do not violate the seal unlawfully.”
I got up and left her. O Allah, if You know that I did this seeking only Your pleasure, then relieve us further.’
Allah moved the rock a bit more.
The third man said: ‘O Allah, I hired a laborer for a few measures of rice. When he finished his work, I offered him his wages, but he left them and turned away. I continued to invest his wages until they grew into a herd of cattle with a shepherd. Later, he came back and said: “O servant of Allah, fear Allah and do not wrong me; give me my due.”
I told him: “Go to the herd of cattle and its shepherd, and take them.” He said: “Fear Allah and do not mock me.” I said: “I am not mocking you; take them all.” He took them and left.
O Allah, if You know that I did this seeking only Your pleasure, then remove the remaining part of the rock.’
Allah then removed the rest of the rock and they were able to leave the cave.”
(Muttafaqun ʿalayh: Narrated by al-Bukhārī 5974, Muslim 2743)
Key Message:
This narration illustrates how sincere and righteous deeds, especially those involving kindness to parents and fulfilling trusts, can become a means of removing great difficulties through sincere supplication (duʿāʾ). Allah accepts these supplications because of the pure intentions and the sincere acts of worship.
And Allah knows best.
