THE OLD LADY AND PROPHET MUHAMMAD (PBUH).

THE OLD LADY AND PROPHET MUHAMMAD (PBUH).

A BEAUTIFUL TRUE STORY!! MUST READ TILL THE END.

A long time ago, at the time of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), there was an old woman who was carrying a heavy load along the road in the desert. It was a bit difficult for her, but she was managing as best as she could. A young man asked if he could help her with her load, and she readily obliged. Here is the conversation that transpired:

“It would be such a pleasure to have you come alone with me. I accept your gracious offer of kindness and company,” she said. She was a very talkative woman, and the young man did not want to interrupt her. So, he let her speak the entire time they were together without interruption:

“But as we walk along young man and as you help me with my load, I have only one request as we travel down this road: Don’t talk to me about Muhammad! Because of him there is no peace and I have trouble in my mind. So, don’t talk to me about Muhammad! And as we walk along together, we will get along just fine.”

She continued:

“That man upsets me so, so much more than you could know! I hear of his name and reputation every where I go. Though his family and his clan once knew him as an honest man, he’s dividing everyone with his claim that God is one!”

“He’s misled all the weak, the poor, and the slaves. They think they’ve all found wealth and freedom by following his way!” she sarcastically snorted.

“He’s corrupted all of our youth with his twisted brand of truth. He’s convinced them that they all are strong and gave them somewhere to belong. So, don’t you dare talk to me about Muhammad!”

They reached their destination, and the man helped the woman put away her belongings. The old woman, with a wide smile of gratitude at this stranger’s kindness, turned to him and said,

“Thank you now, young man. You’ve really been so kind. That generosity and smile is very rare to find now a days. Let me give you some advice, since you’ve been so very nice to me. Stay away from Muhammad. Don’t heed his word or emulate his way. If you do, you will never have true peace, and all you will find is trouble.”

As the young man turned to walk away, she stopped him: “Now before we part and go, if it’s alright just the same, may I ask my dear young man, who are you? What’s your name?"

He told her, and she stopped dead in her tracks.

“Forgive me, but what was that? Your words weren’t very clear. My ears are getting old, and sometimes I have a hard time hearing. You know, it’s truly rather funny, but I’m sure I must be wrong. Yet, I thought I heard you said that your name is Muhammad.”

“I am Muhammad,” the Prophet (peace be upon him) told to the old woman.

She replied, “I bear witness there is nothing worthy of worship except God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God.”

This conversation was based upon a hadith in the Prophetic literature, and lyrics from a Dawud Wharnsby Ali's (Revert Nasheed artist) Nasheed. Almost every time I hear the Nasheed, tears roll down my face.

After the woman utters the shahadah, she says,

“Oh, talk to me, Muhammad. Upon you I pray for peace/for you have eased my troubled mind. Oh, talk to me, Muhammad. And as we walk along together/we will get along just fine. As I travel down life’s road/I will get along, just fine.”

This story never ceases to amaze me. The Prophet (peace be upon him) offered to help this woman, and all she does throughout their encounter is to mock and malign the Prophet (peace be upon). Yet, he says nothing. He continues to help the woman with her load. He does not lash back at her; he does not pray for Allah's destruction upon her; he does not drop her stuff and let her fend for herself. No. He helps the woman anyway, with kindness and patience, and when she finds out who he is, all she could do was follow him into Islam.

Yet, the fact that she became Muslim is not the most important aspect of this story for me. It was the Prophet’s character that amazed me the most. It is this aspect of the Prophet’s sunnah that many of us have completely neglected.

This is our beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), who's tender and humble character makes eyes flow out of compassion..

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Hadeeth:

Narrated Ata bin Yasar: I met Abdullah bin 'Amr bin Al-'As and asked him, "Tell me about the description of Allah's Apostle which is mentioned in torah (i.e. Old Testament.") He replied, 'Yes. By Allah, he is described in torah with some of the qualities attributed to him in the Quran as follows: "O Prophet ! We have sent you as a witness (for Allah's True religion) And a giver of glad tidings (to the faithful believers), And a warner (to the unbelievers) And guardian of the illiterates. you are My slave and My messenger (i.e. Apostle). I have named you "Al-Mutawakkil" (Who depends upon Allah). you are neither discourteous, harsh Nor a noise-maker in the markets And you do not do Evil to Those Who do Evil to you, but you deal With them with forgiveness and kindness. Allah will not let him (the Prophet) Die till he makes straight the crooked people by making them say: "None has the right to be worshipped but Allah," With which will be opened blind eyes And deaf ears and enveloped hearts." (Book #34, Hadith #335)