ALMISKEENAH

 

 

The Shepherd.

 

A mere ten minute drive from Haram will bring you to the peripheral nomadic farmers. Their temporary "homes" constructed of all sorts of recycled materials, including packing cases, cardboard, frayed pieces of canvas and discarded fabrics. The shelters for their animals mimic their homes! Such a rugged lifestyle at the foot of rugged rock mountains, a rugged awesome beauty of sorts. The weather beaten, gnarled features of these farmers and their families blend with the harsh terrain. An ambience of transience pervades these clusters of animal husbandry. Perpetual lessons of this mortal life sculpt the essence of their being. SubhanAllah, how I sometimes envy how their lot will be on the Day of Qiyamah when they will be required to render their account; maybe seconds to describe their possessions and the simplicity of their existence. Allahu ‘Alum. Their endurance in the intense summer heat is beyond my comprehension! Water has to be carted in and stored in metal tanks, solar heated! Wood and dung for cooking. A natural sparkling star-studded ceiling in the bathroom! Such conditions reflect how for centuries people survived in and around Madinah, and all over the Kingdom. The presence of the lonely shepherd attending his, and sometimes her, flock is quite common, astride a camel or a donkey amidst hundreds of sheep or goats or camels.

The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said that all of Allah Ta’ala’s prophets shepherded sheep at some stage during their mission.  His Companions RadhiAllahu anhu asked him, "Did you do the same?" The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam replied, "Yes, I used to shepherd the sheep of the people of Makkah for some Qirats." 

Working as a shepherd allowed the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam to work in peace and quiet, to enjoy the beauty of the desert, and to contemplate the wonders and magnificence of Allah Ta’ala’s creation. The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam through his experience of being a shepherd learnt and developed many wonderful qualities which assisted him in leading the Ummah. A shepherd is busy taking care of his flock from sunrise till sunset. A life of ease, comfort and luxury are unknown to the shepherd. Long days in the intense heat with the most basic of course food, requires maximum patience, an attribute necessary for a good leader. The very nature of herding a flock requires humbleness. Serving, supervising, guarding and sleeping in close proximity to the animals are the daily duties, contributing to ridding oneself of pride and arrogance. The desert harbours an array of natural enemies to the flock, with various wild predatory animals to be aware of and face, so bravery is another characteristic instilled in the shepherd. Mercy and compassion for all the creation of Allah Ta’ala is paramount, along with the honourable satisfaction of earning a lawful income. And thus is the legacy of all prophets seen in these humble settings.

Allah Ta’ala says in one Hadith Qudsi, Your Lord delights at a shepherd who, on the peak of a mountain crag, gives the call to prayer and prays. Then Allah Almighty says: Look at this servant of Mine, he gives the call to prayer and performs the prayers; he is in awe of Me. I have forgiven My servant and have admitted him to Paradise.

SubhanAllahu, such a blessing!

The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: Verily Shaytan is the wolf of a man just as the wolf is the enemy of a flock. He seizes the solitary sheep going astray from the flock or going aside from the flock. So avoid the branching paths; it is essential for you to remain along with the community.

And another narration he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said:  If there are three men in a village or in the desert among whom prayer is not offered in congregation, the devil has got the mastery over them. So observe prayer in congregation, for the wolf only eats only the straggling animal.

Profound messages in these few lines, may we all ponder on such wisdom.

 

Wahab bin Qabus RadhiAllahu anhu was a shepherd who lived in a village near Madinah. To think that maybe some of these places were once home to the Sahabah shepherds jolts the heart! One day he came to Madinah to see the Holy Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. He was accompanied by his nephew, and his herd of goats. In Madina, Wahab came to know that the Holy Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam had left for Uhud where he was fighting against the Quraysh. He left his nephew and his goats at Madina, and himself proceeded to Uhud. When he reached Uhud, the battle was at its thickest. A group of the Quraysh was at the time advancing to attack the Holy Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. It was a critical situation, and turning to his Companions RadhiAllahu anhum the Holy Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: "He who disperses these people will be my companion in the Paradise." Hearing the call, Wahab RadhiAllahu anhu rushed at the advancing Quraysh. Some were killed and the rest scattered. The Holy Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam watched Wahab RadhiAllahu anhu overpower the Quraysh group single handed. When Wahab RadhiAllahu anhu after the flight of the Quraysh came to the Holy Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, he was given the tidings of Paradise. Wahab RadhiAllahu anhu was intoxicated with pleasure at these tidings. As soon as he heard this, he took his sword, and rushed to the enemy line. Killing right and left he penetrated deep into the enemy line. He was surrounded by the enemy on all sides. He received many wounds but he went on playing havoc in the ranks of the enemy. The blood flowed profusely from his wounds, and then he fell dead on the battle-field. When the battle was over, and the Muslims collected the dead bodies of all the martyrs, the Holy Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam stood by his dead body and said: "O Wahab, you have pleased me. May Allah be pleased with you." Although the Holy Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam was himself wounded, he led the funeral prayer of Wahab RadhiAllahu anhu, and put him in the grave with his own hands. Umar RadhiAllahu anhu who was present said that in the battle of Uhud none surpassed Wahab RadhiAllahu anhu in bravery. Thereafter Umar RadhiAllahu anhu used to say often: "I never envied anybody more than Wahab. I wish I could appear before Allah with a record as good as his."

Narrated Unais bin ‘Amr RadhiAllahu anhu: Ahban bin Aus said, "I was amongst my sheep. Suddenly a wolf caught a sheep and I shouted at it. The wolf sat on its tail and addressed me, saying, ‘Who will look after the sheep when you will be busy and not able to look after it? Do you forbid me the provision which Allah has provided me?’ Ahban added, "I clapped my hands and said, ‘By Allah, I have never seen anything more curious and wonderful than this!’ On that the wolf said, ‘There is something more curious and wonderful than this; that is, Allah’s Apostle SallAllahu alaihi wasallam is over there amongst palm trees, inviting people to Allah ‘ " Unais bin ‘Amr RadhiAllahu anhu further said, "Then Ahban went to Allah’s Apostle and informed him what happened and embraced Islam."

And finally a slightly related moral.
Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said, "There were two women with whom there were their two sons. A wolf came and took away the son of one of them. That lady said to her companion, ‘The wolf has taken your son.’ The other said, ‘But it has taken your son.’ So both of them sought the judgment of the Prophet Daoud alaihis Salam who judged that the boy should be given to the older lady. Then both of them went to the Prophet Sulaiman alaihis Salam, son of Daoud alaihis Salam and informed him of the case. Sulaiman alaihis Salam said, ‘Give me a knife so that I may cut the child into two portions and give one half to each of you.’ The younger lady said, ‘Do not do so; may Allah bless you! He is her child.’ On that, he gave the child to the younger lady." Abu Hurairah RadhiAllahu anhu remarked after he heard Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam tell this story, "By Allah! I had never heard the word "Sakkin" as meaning knife, except on that day, for we used to call it ‘Mudya.’ "

 

"All of you are shepherds, and each one is responsible for his flock. A leader of the people is a shepherd and responsible for them. A man is like a shepherd over his family, and he is responsible for his flock. A woman is like a shepherd over her husband’s house and children, and she is responsible for them. And a slave is a guardian of his master’s property and is responsible for it. So all of you are guardians and are responsible for your charges."

Such a moving Hadith.

 

O Allah, make us all responsible shepherds. Ameen.

 

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Ameen.