Story No. 178 – Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) and sacrifice of the Lamb

On group journeys, Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) would work like the others and would never let anybody work instead of him. Just as Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw), and his companions landed from their rides, and laid the loads down, it was decided that they would sacrifice a lamb for dinner.

 

Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) and Tying the CamelOne of the companions volunteered: “I will sacrifice the lamb.”

 

Another companion said: “I will skin it.”

 

Third companion said: “I will cook it.”

 

Fourth one: “I will …”

 

Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw): “I will gather the wood from the desert.”

 

The group: “O Messenger of Allah (SWT), it is not becoming of you to discomfort yourself as such. You rest. We will be honored to do all this on our own.”

 

Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw): “I know that you are eager to do it all, but Allah (SWT) isn’t pleased with the slave who distinguishes between himself and his companions, and considers himself better than others.”

 

Then Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) went to the desert, and gathered some firewood, and brought it to the group.

 

Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) and Tying the Camel

 

The caravan had been traveling for few hours now. Signs of fatigue were obvious on their faces. They arrived at a point and stopped. Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) who was also in the caravan, stopped the camel, and landed. Prior to anything, they were in search of water to prepare for prayer.

 

Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) also started searching for water. But soon, returned to his camel, without saying anything to anyone. The companions (Sahabah) were surprised that Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) had ordered stopping here, and now perhaps he would like to move again? Eyes and ears were awaiting his order. But the surprise of the group increased as they saw him approach his camel, and tied its knees, and returned back in search of water.

 

Noises were raised from every corner: “O Messenger of Allah (SWT), Why didn’t you order us to do this for you, and instead you put yourself in discomfort? We would have proudly done that service for you.”

 

Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) responded: “Never seek others’ help in your affairs, don’t lean on others, even if it is a small piece of Miswak (the wood used for brushing teeth).”

 

Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) and Iftar (Fast Breaking)Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) and Iftar (Fast Breaking)

 

Anas ibn Malik was one of the companions (Sahabah) who had served Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) for many years. He therefore knew Prophet Muhammad’s (saw) habits very well.

 

When Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) observed a fast, he usually broke it with milk and dates, and in the small hours of the night, he would take simple food for his sahar.

 

One day, Anas ibn Malik knew that Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) was fasting; so he arranged for his iftar (fast breaking). He kept the milk and dates ready. At the time of iftar Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) did not appear, for the breaking of the fast. Anas ibn Malik thought that Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) might have accepted an invitation and broken his fast elsewhere. So Anas ibn Malik ate the food himself and retired.

 

When Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) entered the house with another companion, Anas ibn Malik inquired from the companion whether Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) had already eaten. Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) had been dealing with some urgent work and was delayed, and he had not eaten.

 

Anas ibn Malik felt so ashamed. There was nothing left he could offer to Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw), if he asked for food. Still he waited expectantly, ready to explain the situation to Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw). Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) immediately sensed that Anas ibn Malik was hesitant, so he behaved as if he were not hungry at all and went without supper with a cheerful face. The next day he also fasted.

 

Anas ibn Malik used to say: “The Messenger of Allah (SWT) never mentioned this incident during his lifetime to anyone.”

 

He invariably stood by his words and pledges. He paid affectionate visits to his relatives and friends but would never take their side unduly. Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) would never permit anybody to backbite others and said, ‘I want to meet people with a loving heart.’

 

Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) modesty was peerless. He was extremely patient, tolerant, and forgiving.

 

Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) immensely loved the ritual prayers, but on occasions when people demanded to talk to him about something, he would say his ritual prayers briefly and instead, pay attention to the demands and needs of the people. He would spare no efforts to fulfill the people’s needs.

 

Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) treated everyone with great respect and considered nobility and honour to be owing to faith, piety, and good behaviour. He was not interested in wealth or status, nor did he revere anybody for his riches or position.

 

His behaviour towards slaves was amazingly affectionate, and he would do his best to remove the troubles and sufferings of the slaves and the poor.

 

A companion of his, who spent full ten years with him, has said: “Throughout my stay with him I never heard an indecent word from his lips and never found him rude to anyone. Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) spoke very politely. Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) was kind to everyone.”