Samina Tariq – Calgary
It’s a beautiful tale of how the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ had a profound understanding of people’s psychology. He could sense their feelings, grasp their emotions, and connect with what they were experiencing in their hearts. His empathy and insight allowed him to guide and support those around him with compassion and wisdom.
Abu Huraira (ra) narrated “By Allah except Whom none has the right to- be worshipped, sometimes I used to lay down on the ground on my liver(abdomen) because of hunger, and at times I used to tie a stone over my belly because of hunger. One day I sat from where the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and his companions used to pass by. When Abu Bakr passed by, I asked him about a verse from Allah’s Book and I asked him only that he might satisfy my hunger, but he passed by and did not do so. Then Umar passed by me and I asked him about a verse from Allah’s Book, and I asked him only that he might satisfy my hunger, but he passed by without doing so. Finally, Abu-l Qasim( the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم) passed by me , and he smiled when he saw me, for he knew what was in my heart and on my face. He said, “O Aba Hirr (Abu Huraira)!” I replied, “Labbaik, O Allah’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) “!He said, “Follow me.” He left and I followed him. Then he entered the house and I and asked permission to enter was admitted. He found milk in a bowl and said, “From where is this milk?” They said, “It has been presented to you by such-and-such man(or by such and such woman).”He said, “O Aba Hirr!” I said, “Labbaik, O Allah’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم)”!He said, “Go and call the people of Suffa to me.” These people of Suffa were the guests of Islam who had no families, nor money, nor anybody to depend upon, and whenever an object charity was brought to the Prophet, he would send it to them and would not take anything from it, and whenever any present was given to him, he used to send some for them and take some for himself. The order of the Prophet upset me. I said to myself, “How would this little milk be enough for the people of As- Suffa?
Though, I was more entitled to drink from the milk in order to strengthen myself, but behold!. Then The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) came to order me to give that milk to them. I wondered what will remain of that milk for me, but anyway , I could not but obey Allah and His Apostle so I went to the people of As-Suffa and they came and asked the Prophet’s permission to enter. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, “O Aba-Hirr!” I said,”Labbaik, O Allah’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم), “He said, “Take it and give it to them”. So, I took the bowl (of milk)and started giving it to one man who would drink his fill and return it to me, whereupon I would give it to another man who would drink to his fill and return it to me. Finally, after the whole group had drunk their fill, I reached the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم )who took the bowl and put it on his hand, looked at me, smiled and said, “O Aba Hirr!” I replied, “Labbaik, O Allah’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) “He said, “There remain you and I.” I said, “You have said the truth, O Allah’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) “He said, “Sit down and drink.” I sat down and drank. He said, “Drink,” and I drank. He kept on telling me repeatedly to drink, till I said, “No. By Allah Who sent you with the Truth, I have no space for it (in my stomach).” He said, “Hand it over to me.” When I gave him the bowl, he praised Allah and pronounced Allah’s Name on it and drank the remaining milk.
Reference:
Sahih al- Bukhari 6452.
