Commentary ~ The Wife of the Caliph Nurses a Pregnant Woman

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

As was his custom, ‘Umar bin Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), the Leader of the Believers, went out at night to look after the needs of the people and to make sure that everyone was safe. As he passed by an open area in Al-Madinah, he heard the moans of a woman coming out from a small and shabby house, at the door of which was a man seated. ‘Umar greeted him and asked him how he was. The man said that he was from the desert and had come, seeking to reap some generosity from the Leader of the Believers. ‘Umar asked him about the woman and the moaning noises, and the man, not knowing that he was speaking to the Leader of the Believers, said, “Go away, may Allah have mercy on you, and do not ask about that which does not concern you.”

However ‘Umar persisted in asking the same question, offering to help if he could. And so the man informed him, “Indeed she is my wife, who is about to give birth, yet there is no one here to help her.” ‘Umar left the man, returned to his house in a hurry, entered, and said to his wife, Umm Kulthum (may Allah be pleased with her), “Will you take reward that Allah has brought to you?” She said, “And what is that goodness and reward, O ‘Umar?”

No sooner did he inform her of what happened than she stood and took all that she needed to help the woman deliver her baby and all that the newborn would need as well. Meanwhile, the Leader of the Believers took a pot and with it some fat and grains. He and his wife hurried off together until they reached the same shabby house. While Umm Kulthum went in to help the pregnant woman, the Leader of the Believers remained outside with the husband, and cooked the food that he brought with him.

From inside the house, Umm Kulthum called out, “O Leader of the Believers, give glad tidings to your companion that Allah has provided him with a young boy.” The man was amazed to find out that it was the Leader of the Believers who was seated with him and who was cooking food with him; and the wife was shocked to learn that it was the wife of the Leader of the Believers who came to meet her and help her in her shabby house.

Gems and Jewels
Compiled by: Abdul-Malik Mujahid
Publisher: Maktaba Dar-us-Salam
ISBN: 9960-897-59-1
Page 110

Hadith ~ A man of the rightful dwellers of Paradise

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Narrated Anas (may Allah be pleased with him): ‘Once we were sitting with the Messenger of Allah (SAWS). He said: “There will appear before you a man of the rightful dwellers of Paradise.” Anas said: ‘A man of Al-Ansar appeared before us. He was shaking off water from his beard after performing the ablution carrying his sandals in his left hand. He greeted us.’ The following day, the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) said the same and that man appeared once again. On the third day, the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) said the same and that man appeared once again.’ When the Prophet (SAWS) left, Abdullah ibn Amr ibn Al-Ass followed the man. He said to him; ‘I have had some words with my father and swore not to stay in my house for three nights. Please let me accompany you for the three nights. The man accepted. Abdullah spent three nights with the man. He observed that the man did not perform the night prayer (he performed the obligatory prayer Ishaa but not the voluntary prayers) but whenever he rolled over from side to side while sleeping, he used to glorify Allah. He did not get up except for the Dawn prayer (Fajr). Abdullah said; ‘I did not hear him saying anything but good. After the three nights had passed and I was about to contempt what he had used to do (of the minimal acts of worship), I said to him; ‘O servant of Allah! There was nothing between my father and me, but I have heard the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) saying such and such about you, so, I wanted to see what you do. I did not see you doing much goodness. What has raised you to such a rank?’ The man said; ‘It was only what you have seen. When I went out, the man called me and said; ‘It was only what you have seen. But I do not envy a Muslim for what Allah has given him.’ Abdullah said to him; ‘Nothing made you reach that rank except this. And not all of us are able to do so.’

SAWS: May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous) (Abridged)
By Imam An Nawawi Vol. (2)
Publisher: Dar Al-Manarah
ISBN: 977.6005.23.3
Chapter 250, Page 1008, Number 865

Hadith ~ Easy for the tongue

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Narrated by Abu-Horaira (may Allah be pleased with him): ‘The Prophet (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection) said: “There are two expressions that are very easy for the tongue to say, but they are very heavy in the balance and are very dear to the Beneficent (Allah), and they are: ‘Subhan Allah Al-Azim’ and ‘Subhan Allah wa Bihamdihi’.” (1) (Bukhari 415, Vol.8)

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous) (Abridged)
By Imam An Nawawi Vol. (2)
Publisher: Dar Al-Manarah
ISBN: 977.6005.23.3
Chapter 225, Page 888, Number 767

Ayaat 212-216 ~ Al-Baqarah (The Cow)

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Listen to Recitation

212. Beautified is the life of this world for those who disbelieve, and they mock at those who believe. But those who obey Allâh’s Orders and keep away from what He has forbidden, will be above them on the Day of Resurrection. And Allâh gives (of His Bounty, Blessings, Favours, Honours, etc. on the Day of Resurrection) to whom He wills without limit.

213. Mankind were one community and Allâh sent Prophets with glad tidings and warnings, and with them He sent the Scripture in truth to judge between people in matters wherein they differed. And only those to whom (the Scripture) was given differed concerning it after clear proofs had come unto them through hatred, one to another. Then Allâh by His Leave guided those who believed to the truth of that wherein they differed. And Allâh guides whom He wills to a Straight Path.

214. Or think you that you will enter Paradise without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? They were afflicted with severe poverty and ailments and were so shaken that even the Messenger and those who believed along with him said, “When (will come) the Help of Allâh?” Yes! Certainly, the Help of Allâh is near!

215. They ask you (O Muhammad) what they should spend. Say: Whatever you spend of good must be for parents and kindred and orphans and Al­Masâkin (the poor) and the wayfarers, and whatever you do of good deeds, truly, Allâh knows it well.

216. Jihâd (holy fighting in Allâh’s Cause) is ordained for you (Muslims) though you dislike it, and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allâh knows but you do not know.

Sura 2. Al-Baqarah (The Cow)