Stories

Just as the Prophet (S), and his companions landed from their rides, and laid the loads down, it was decided that they would sacrifice a lamb for dinner.

One of the companions volunteered: “I will sacrifice the lamb.”
Another: “I will skin it.”
Third: “I will cook it.”
Fourth: “ I will....”
The Prophet (S): “I will gather the wood from the desert.”

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

The Prophet (S): “I know that you are eager to do it all, but Allah isn't pleased with the slave who distinguishes between himself and his companions, and considers himself better than others.” Then he went to the desert, and gathered some wood, and brought it to the group.

The moral of the story is - Everyone is equal in the eyes of god, regardless of his or her position or wealth.

1.Kahl al Basar, p. 68

Taken from: Anecdotes of Pious Men by Murtadha Mutahhari.

The Gift

Whenever the farmers reaped their first harvest, they brought early, fresh fruits to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Then he would distribute them among those who sat around him. This morning, a poor man brought one fruit from his small farm and gave it to the Prophet, peace be upon him.

He accepted the gift, tasted it and then went on eating it alone while the companions watched. One of those present meekly said: O Prophet of Allah, you have over looked the right of those who watch while you eat?

The Prophet, peace be upon him, smiled and waited till the man who had brought the fruit had gone. He said: I tasted the fruit and it was not yet ripe. Had I allowed you to have some of it, someone would have definitely shown his distaste, thus disappointing the poor man who had brought the gift. Rather than make him feel bitter, my palate accepted the bitterness.

The moral of the story is - One must be very sensitive to the feelings of others and never hurt them.

The Old Lady

It is narrated by historians that Prophet Mohammad used to encounter an old lady on his way to the mosque. This lady had ill feelings toward him, so she would throw trash on the prophet as he walked past her home.

Then one day, this didn't happen. Upon inquiring with her neighbors the Prophet learnt that the old lady was sick. So, he knocked on her door and asked to meet with her to check on her well being. Upon seeing him the lady was dumbfounded. She couldn't believe that the Prophet showed no ill will toward her, for everything she had done to him. Impressed by his impeccable manners and character she decided to accept Islam.

The moral of this story is - do not despair or get angry at the actions of those that are ignorant. Embrace them and win them over with your character and high morals.