Story No. 181 – Virtues of the family of Rasulallah (saw) [Surah Ad Dahr, Surah al-Insan]

Virtues of the family of Rasulallah (saw)The family members of Rasulallah (saw) were the true friends and well-wishers of the people who felt strong grief when they saw people in any kind of distress or suffering. They worked hard to restore the rights of the deprived and gave all their belongings to the needy.

 

The family members of Rasulallah (saw) were always ready to face hardships in order to save others. Sometimes, they would even give to the needy the food or clothing which they themselves urgently needed. There are many of such happenings that took place in the life of our religious leaders.

 

For instance, once Imam Ali’s (as) children [Imam Hasan (as) and Imam Husayn (as)] were sick. Their mother Fatima al-Zahra (sa), daughter of Rasulallah (saw), vowed (Nazr) to fast three days on the recovery of her children, in thanksgiving to Allah (SWT).

 

Imam Ali (as) and the children all joined Fatima al-Zahra (sa) in thanksgiving. All of them fasted. It was sunset and they had only a few barley loaves of bread for their breakfast.

 

As they were about to eat their food, someone knocked at their door, saying I am a poor man. Please give me some food. The food, which the whole family had, was very little. They gave it all to the poor man.

 

Again on next day, when the family wanted to break their fast an orphan began knocking at the door asking for food. The same thing happened on the third day also with a stranger. Each time they gave their food to the needy and they, themselves, remained hungry continuing their fast.

 

Muslim commentators say, The next day, Rasulallah (saw) came to the family with these verses of the Noble Qur’an: “Surely the righteous shall drink of a cup the admixture of which is camphor, a fountain from which the servants of Allah shall drink; they make it to flow a (goodly) flowing forth. They fulfill vows and fear a day the evil of which shall be spreading far and wide. And they give food out of love for Allah to the poor and the orphan and the captive: We only feed you for Allah’s sake. We desire from you neither reward nor thanks: Surely we fear from our Lord a stern, distressful day. Therefore, Allah will guard them from the evil of that day and cause them to meet with ease and happiness; And reward them because they were patient, with garden and silk.” (Noble Qur’an, 76:5-12)

 

Moral of the Story: Vow (Nazr) is very powerful. Always think of others before yourself. It is not how much you give to others that is important but the intention with which you give: i.e. “Qurbatan Illallah” which means to get closer to Allah (SWT).