CHAPTER 3: THOSE UNDERGOING DISASTERS AND AFFLICTIONS : PART 4
The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, urged people to care for widows and orphans:
Being an orphan or a widow is a severe trial and affliction. This is why he, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, urged people to care for them in order to ease the affliction and reduce its resulting grief.
Sahl ibn Sa’d (a Companion) reported that the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “I and the one who sponsors an orphan will be like this in Paradise.” Then he pointed with his index and middle fingers (made them right next to each other indicating how close a person would be to the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, in Paradise as a result of sponsoring them). (Reported by Al-Bukhaari (5546).)
Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Someone who cares for widows and orphans is like a Mujaahid in Allah’s Path [one fighting in the Path of Allah].” and said: ‘Like someone who stands in prayer and never gets tired or ceases; like someone who fasts and never breaks their fast.’” (Reported by Al-Bukhari (5353) and Muslim (2982).)
The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, gave money to some of those who were afflicted, in order to lighten their affliction:
An example of that, is that he, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, gave generously to the people of Makkah after conquering Ta’if.
Anas ibn Maalik said: “The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, gathered some people from the Ansaar and said: ‘Quraysh have newly abandoned the pre-Islamic state [and have accepted Islam], and have recently gone through an affliction [having family members of theirs killed, and their lands conquered] so I wanted to be good to and assist them, and to earn their loyalty and trust, and in turn unite with them.’” (Reported by Al-Bukhari (4334).)
The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, consoled all those who lost their wealth in Allah’s Path:
Suhayb Ar-Roomi (a Companion) said:
“The Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, went to Madinah, and Abu Bakr went with him. I wanted to go, too, but I was prevented by some youth of the Quraysh from going, so I spent the night awake, and did not rest, and they said: ‘Allah has made him busy with a stomach ache.’ Then I left, and some people among them followed me after I had traversed some distance and they wanted to take me back.
So I said to them: ‘If I were to give you some ounces of gold, would you allow me to go and fulfill the agreement?’
So they agreed, and I followed them to Makkah.
So I said to them: ‘Dig beneath the bottom of the door you will find gold, and go to this woman, and take two pieces of jewelry.’
Then I went to Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, while he was in Qubaa’ before he left, and when he saw me, he, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: ‘Your trade is [accepted and is] profitable, O Abu Yahya.’
So I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah no one came to you before me, and no one informed you of what happened besides (angel) Gabriel.’”
Then Allah revealed about Suhayb (the verse which means): «And of the people is he who sells himself, seeking means to the approval of Allah. And Allah is Kind to [His] servants.» [Quran: 2:207]” (Reported by Al-Haakim (5706).)
The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, ordered giving charity to those who faced afflictions in their wealth:
Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri (a Companion) said: “A man was afflicted during the time of the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and his debts grew. The Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: ‘Give him charity,’ so the people gave him charity, but it did not reach the amount he needed to settle his debt.”
Abu Sa’eed continued, saying: “Then the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said to those who lent him: ‘Take what you find, and you can only take that.’” (Reported by Muslim (1556).)
Meaning, at this moment you can only have that, and it is not permissible for you to ask for more as long as he is in difficult circumstances, rather, the one who has been loaned the money is given some time until his situation eases. (The explanation of An-Nawawi on the book of Muslim (10/217).)
The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, eased their afflictions by giving them glad tidings:
Anas ibn Maalik narrated that Umm Ar-Rabi` the daughter of Al-Baraa’, the mother of Haarithah ibn Suraaqah (a Companion), went to the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and said: “O Allah’s Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, will you not tell me about Harithah? If he is in Paradise, I shall be patient, and if he is in something else, then I can cry about his situation.” Her son had been killed during the Battle of Badr by an arrow, and no one knows who shot that arrow.
The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said to her: “Have you lost your mind? Is there one [level in] Paradise? There are many levels of Paradise, and he has reached the level of Al-Firdaws [the highest level].” (Reported by Al-Bukhari (6576).)
Ibn Hajar said: “This happened before the prohibition of wailing. The prohibition of wailing occurred after the Battle of Uhud, and this was after the Battle of Badr.”(Fat-h Al-Baari (6/27).)
Jaabir ibn `Abdullaah said: “The Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, met me and said: ‘O Jaabir, why do I see you so sad and troubled?’ I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, my father was martyred during the Battle of Uhud, and he left a family and debt behind.’ He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: ‘Shall I not tell you about what your father has met?’ I said: ‘Yes, definitely, O Messenger of Allah.’ He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: ‘Allah never spoke to anyone without a veil between Him and the one He is Speaking to. However, He resurrected your father and spoke to him without a veil, and without it being through a messenger, and He said to your father, ‘My slave, request something of me, and I shall grant it.’ Your father said: ‘O Lord, give me respite and life again, so that I can be killed for your sake again.’ The Lord said: ‘I have previously said that they [mankind] will not go back to life.’”
Jaabir said: “Then the following verse was revealed (which means): «And never think of those who have been killed in the cause of Allah as dead. Rather, they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision.» [Quran: 3:169]” (Reported by At-Tirmidhi (3010), and Ibn Maajah (190).)
The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, guided them to foods that lower the level of stress after facing an affliction:
`Aa’ishah narrated that when someone from her family died, the women would gather together because of the death. After they left, her family and closest friends would remain and she would order that a pot of Talbeenah (soup made from barley flour and bran4) be made, then Thareed would be made (a dish made of meat, bread and broth), and the Talbeenah would be poured over it. Then she would say, “Eat O you women,
for I heard Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, say: ‘Talbeenah relieves the heart of someone who is ill, and does away with a bit of sadness and worry.’” (Reported by Al-Bukhari (5417) and Muslim (2216).)
Some medical benefits of Talbeenah: Dr. Zaghlool An-Najjaar said: “Barley soup does away with thirst, is a diuretic, is easily digested, and is beneficial for coughs and sore throats. It benefits those with breathing difficulties, cleanses the stomach, benefits kidney and urinary disorders, has a cooling effect on the body in general, and boosts the immune system.” (Al-I`jaaz Al-`Ilmi fee As-Sunnah An-Nabawiyyah (2/9), translated from the website to be mentioned in the next footnote.)
Scientific studies have shown that barley lowers blood cholesterol:
In 1985, Lipids magazine produced an article about the benefits of barley and other plants in curing high blood cholesterol levels, which mentioned studies conducted by experts from the Department of Agriculture in America who found that it consists of three elements, all three of which lower blood cholesterol.
Dr. Zaghlool An-Najjaar said: “Modern studies have shown that these chemical compounds (that make up barley) have a very positive effect on the conductors between the neurons, in a way that helps reduce episodes of grief and sorrow, and causes the person’s disposition to lean more towards being happy, relieved, and tranquil.
Episodes of grief and sorrow these days are diagnosed as being the result of chemical disorders in the human body. Its cure is through consuming foods that cure this disorder, such as barley soup, which is rich with beneficial nutrients.” (“Al-Manhaj” the official website of Shaykh `Uthmaan Al-Khamees (http://www.almanhaj.com),summarized.)
The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, visited them to condole them:
Anas ibn Maalik said: “The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, never used to visit any woman, but visited their husbands, except for Umm Sulaym, he used to visit her [constantly]. When someone mentioned this to him about it, he said: ‘I feel compassion for her as her brother was killed following my orders and with my army.’” (Reported by Al-Bukhari (2844) and Muslim (2455).)
Umm Sulaym is Sahlah or Rumaylah, or Mulaykah, the daughter of Milhaan, and she was originally among the Ansaar. She was the mother of Anas ibn Maalik and was well known by her nickname.
Her brother, Haraam ibn Milhaan was killed in the battle of Bi’r Ma`oonah. The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, did not go out and participate in that battle, rather he ordered his army to go and fight.
Ibn Hajar said: “The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, consoled Umm Sulaym by visiting her, and he gave the reason for going to visit her, and that is that her brother was killed fighting for him. This narration shows us how the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, succeeded him in a good way with his family (took care of them), and that shows his good standing.” (Fat-h Al-Baari (6/51).)
The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, taught us that we should console one another during afflictions, and that we should feel the pain of those who are afflicted:
`Amr ibn Hazm (a Companion) narrated that the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “There is not a believer that consoles his brother during a calamity except that, because of that, Allah The Almighty will dress him in garments of honor on the Day of Resurrection.” (Reported by Ibn Majah (1601).)
Conclusion:
Prophet Muhammad, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, reminded us through his guidance and example, that Islam is complete submission to the will of Allah. For one who submits, a mere declaration or display of belief will not be taken for success, but his or her heart and soul will certainly be put to test.
Allah tested the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, severely in order that he, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, becomes an example for his Companions to follow. Similarly, He tests the believer to see whether he lives a righteous life (in accordance with the instructions and commands set by Allah) or lives according to what his desires dictate; whether the faith he displays is firmly rooted in his heart or is it merely on the surface. He will be tested to see whether he will continue to have faith and love of Allah when in calamity as he does when in comfort; whether he will continue to remember and worship Him if given bounties and comforts of life as he does when he lives a modest life. Allah will undoubtedly test him to see if his faith, trust, and love of Him is unconditional or is it conditioned upon good health and a comfortable life free from stress and anxiety.
The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, showed us through his own example that for a righteous Muslim, this life is a testing ground where he will continue to be tested until he meets Allah. For him, tests will be conducted on earth while he lives, and not after he dies. He knows that as soon as death arrives and he steps into the next world, his tests are over. There, he only receives the results of his tests, and enjoys the fruits of his deeds that he committed during a short span of time called Life.
By Muhammad Saalih Al-Munajjid
Comments
John Doe
23/3/2019Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
John Doe
23/3/2019Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
John Doe
23/3/2019Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.