Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality
En route to Madinah Munawwarah, Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) passed by the tent of Ummu Ma’bad (Radhiallahu Anha). She was a woman renowned for her nobility and hospitality. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) stopped by in order to purchase some dates and meat from her, but she had nothing available to offer them as they were experiencing famine and drought.
Subsequently Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)’s mubaarak glance had fallen onto a young she goat in the corner of the tent. He enquired from Ummu Ma’bad (Radhiallahu Anha) regarding the goat that was tied, and the following dialogue ensued:
Umme Ma’bad: “This goat is extremely frail and weak and thus unable to graze in the pastures with the rest of the herd.”
Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam): “Does she have any milk?”
Umme Ma’bad: “She is too weak to give any milk.”
Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam): “Do you permit me to milk her?”
Umme Ma’bad: “May my parents be sacrificed for you. If you wish to milk her, you may do so.”
Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) placed his mubaarak hands over the udders, recited the name of Allah Ta’aala (i.e. recited Bismillah) and earnestly supplicated to Allah Ta’aala to send down His mercy. It is reported in one narration that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) supplicated to Allah Ta’aala with the following Duaa:
اَللّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَهَا فِي شَاتِهَا
“O Allah, grant Umme Ma’bad special barakah (blessings) in her goat.”
The she goat immediately spread its legs apart before Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and the udders began filling up with milk. The sick animal no longer remained sick through the barkat of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)’s duaa, to such an extent that it began regurgitating. A large container, which could satiate eight to ten people, was brought and Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) began milking the goat. After milking the goat, Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) offered the milk to Umme Ma’bad (Radhiallahu Anha), who drank to her fill. He then offered the container to his companions (i.e. Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu), Hadhrat Aamir ibn Fuhayra, Abdullah ibn Urayqit). After all had drunk to their fill, Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) drank the milk saying: “The one who offers a drink to others should drink last.” He then milked the goat again until the container was filled till the brim with milk once more. He then handed over the container to Umme Ma’bad (so that it could serve for her and her husband’s needs). Hadhrat Umme Ma’bad (Radhiallahu Anha) by then was convinced that this was no ordinary personality, and she immediately embraced Islam. Shortly thereafter, Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) and their companions set out and continued on their journey to Madina Munawwarah.
In the evening, when Abu Ma’bad returned home after grazing the goats, he was surprised to find a large container of milk in the tent. In utter amazement, he enquired from Ummu Ma’bad regarding the milk saying: “Where did this milk come from, O Umme Ma’bad? Whereas at the time I left our sick she goat did not have a drop of milk in its udders!” She replied: “Today the messenger of Allah Ta’aala passed this way. By Allah! Whatever you see is due to his blessings.” She then went on and gave a detailed account of what had transpired in her husband’s absence. Abu Ma’bad retorted: “Tell me more about him and describe to me his noble personality.” Umme Ma’bad (Radhiallahu Anha) described to him Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)’s mubaarak features, his nobility, and sublime character.
Upon hearing the description of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), Abu Ma’bad said: “I take a qasm on Allah Ta’ala that this is the same man from the Quraysh whom we have heard about. Had I been present, I would have certainly accompanied him on his journey.”
Hafidh Ibn Katheer (Rahmatullahi Alaihi) mentions that both Abu Ma’bad and Umme Ma’bad had accepted Islam and migrated to Madina Munawwarah.
While the mu’jizah of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) manifested in the tent of Umme Ma’bad (Radhiallahu Anha), a call was heard in Makkah Mukarramah from a Muslim Jinn. The Muslim Jinn addressed the disbelievers of Makkah Mukarramah with the following message, in a manner that the message was distinctly heard, and the caller was unknown:
جزى الله رب الناس خير جزائه رفيقين حلا خيمتي أم معبد
May Allah Ta’ala, the Lord of the people, grant the best rewards to the two companions (Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu), who stopped over (during the journey to Madina Munawwara) at the tent of Umme Ma’bad.
هما نزلاها بالهدى فاهتدت به فقد فاز من أمسى رفيق محمد
They had come with divine guidance, and she embraced the guidance (of Islam). Surely the one who accompanied Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) during the journey of hijrat (i.e. Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu)) has obtained eternal success.
ليهن ابا بكر سعادة جده بصحبته من يسعد الله يسعد
Congratulations to Abu Bakr on the good fortune and blessings he acquired due to his companionship with Rasululah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). He who Allah Ta’ala divinely selects is indeed among the fortunate ones.
ليهن بني كعب مقام فتاتهم ومقعدها للمؤمنين بمرصد
Congratulations to the Banu Ka’b on account of the noble and esteemed position that their daughter had acquired, securing the opportunity of hosting Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and the believers.
سلوا أختكم عن شاتها وإنائها فإنكم إن تسألوا الشاة تشهد
Ask your sister about her goat and her container. If you had to ask the goat, it would certainly also testify
فغادرها رهناً لديها لحالب يرددها في مصدر ثم مورد
He then left the goat (as a blessing) in her trust, and she would milk it for those who happened to pass by.[1]
[1] مشكوة المصابيح، سيرة المصطفى، صفة الصفوة
