Sitting in the old section of Majid Nabawi, with eyes of the heart closed to how the architectural surroundings are at present, and allowing the heart to ride on the glow of Iman to the glorious past, brings such joy and Sakeenah enveloping the whole being.
Our Beloved Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam would sit in learning circles with his Illustrious Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum, delivering the essence of Allah Ta’ala’s teachings through His Words. Aishah RadhiAllahu anha once described Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam as being the "Qur’an walking", meaning that his every quality was as epitomized by Allah Ta’ala in His Book. SubhanAllah.
The Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum would sit so close to the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam in this very space, that according to a narration, if leaves were to fall from a tree above them, not one would touch the ground as their bodies would be so close to each other in their eagerness to learn and then act upon their knowledge. Their Akhlaq reached the highest of pinnacles. Any wonder our awe when visiting the very ground that they sat, learnt, walked and prayed upon, with the Best of Creation SallAllahu alaihi wasallam still close by!
The earth will be a witness to our Ibadah wherever and whenever we turn to Allah Ta’ala. So being in this old section of Masjid Nabawi, where this very earth has witnessed our rich heritage brings one to such levels of elation that mere words cannot convey. Insha’Allah if it is not possible to be physically present, then devote time in seeking information through whatever means to attune the heart to this Mubarak past, and make efforts to strengthen our Iman by reliving how conditions and life was at the time of our Beloved Messenger of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.
I share the following stories, each one revolving around dates. This Illuminated City, shining by the Light of Mustafa SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and his shining stars RadhiAllahu anhum, is also known as the Possessor of Dates. The presence of the palm groves no longer adorn the inner parts of Madinah, but the markets certainly display an abundance of dates, reminding us of the major part they played in the times of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, and how this heritage is still an important aspect of contemporary life here.
Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam used to pray, "O Allah, keep me in the company of the poor, let me die in poverty and raise me with the poor on the Day of Judgement." Aishah RadhiAllahu anha once asked Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam why he repeatedly made such a supplication to Allah Ta’ala, whereupon he explained to her that the poor will enter Jannah before the rich. He then advised her, "O Aishah, never turn a needy person away from your door. Give him something, even though it may only be a piece of a date. Respect the poor and love them in spite of their poverty. If you bring the poor and needy closer to you, Allah Ta’ala will bring you closer to Him."
Once Ali RadhiAllahu anhu saw in a dream that he was praying Fajr behind Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. When they had finished a young girl came and gave some dates to Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam who then gave one to Ali RadhiAllahu anhu. Ali RadhiAllahu anhu felt in his heart that he wanted another date, but kept quiet. Then during the time of the Caliphate of Umar RadhiAllahu anhu, after Ali RadhiAllahu anhu prayed Fajr behind Umar RadhiAllahu anhu, he saw a young girl distributing dates, Umar RadhiAllahu anhu gave him one, and once again he was wishing in his heart to receive more. Umar RadhiAllahu anhu sensed this and asked him, "How many did Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam give you? If he gave you more then I will give you more." Ali RadhiAllahu anhu was taken aback, curious as to how Umar RadhiAllahu anhu could possibly have known about his previous dream. Umar then RadhiAllahu anhu recited the following verse from Qur’an Majeed:
He will guide the heart of anyone who believes in Him. (64:11)
Ali RadhiAllahu anhu used to work for a Jew, drawing water from his well, receiving a date for each bucket of water he collected. It was his practice to work until he collected enough dates each day for the needs of his family plus a little extra for Sadaqah. One day the Jew wanted him to collect more water and offered him more than his usual payment, but Ali refused. It was deeply entrenched in his heart that his Risq from Allah Ta’ala was sufficient once he collected enough to fulfill the needs of his family and the practice he and Fatimah RadhiAllahu anhu had of giving so generously in Sadaqah. He was wary of accommodating his nafs if he agreed to work more, anxious that it would become a habit and make him more answerable for the bounties showered on him. Ali and Fatimah RadhiAllahu anhuma would rather go without than have an unfortunate person turn away from their door without a morsel. Their sacrifices are immortalized by Allah Ta’ala:
They give feed to the poor, the orphan and the captive, though they love it themselves, saying, ‘We feed you for the sake of Allah alone: We seek neither recompense, nor thanks from you. We fear the Day of our Lord, a woefully grim Day. (76:7-9)
Abu Hurairah RadhiAllahu anhu was one of the Sahabah belonging to Ahl al-Suffah, living in the confines of Masjid Nabawi and eating only from what was offered as Sadaqah. It was a common practice that bunches of dates would be donated and hung on a frame that was erected just behind the place of Suffah. One day Abu Hurairah RadhiAllahu anhu gave Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu eight dates. After Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu realized there were only eight, he inquired where the other two were, saying there should be ten. The reason being that he had given one date earlier in the day for Sadaqah and as Allah Ta’ala increases the reward for a good deed by ten, he felt he would be offered ten!
Once during the midday heat Abu Bakr, Umar RadhiAllahu anhuma and the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam were extremely hungry so went to the house of Abu Ayyub Ansari RadhiAllahu anhu, who brought them a big bunch of dates. When Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam saw this huge bunch he asked why he cut the whole bunch, consisting of the raw, the half ripe and the ripe dates. Commenting that he could have selected and plucked the ripe ones only. Abu Ayyub Ansari RadhiAllahu anhu replied that he wanted to offer the whole bunch so they could choose the ones they liked. On this occasion they were also offered the roast meat of a small goat and some bread. At the end of the meal Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam asked if some of the food could be taken to Fatimah RadhiAllahu anha as she had not eaten anything for several days. Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam then said," See, these are the bounties of Allah, the bread, the meat, the raw dates, the ripe dates." While uttering these words tears came to his eyes and he said, "By Allah who controls my life; these are the bounties about which one will be questioned on the Day of Judgement."
The Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum had the greed for Iman, so the least of Dunya was enough to satisfy them. Allahu Akbar!
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.
