There was once a fire-worshipper who noticed his son eating during the month of Ramadhaan in the presence of the Muslims. He was infuriated and reprimanded his son, “How could you destroy the sanctity of the Muslims during the month of Ramadhaan?” After his death, a scholar from the neighbourhood saw him in a dream enjoying from the bounties of Jannat. He was quite surprised and asked: “Were you not a fire-worshipper?” The man replied: “Yes, I … [Read more...]

Once Ibrahim bin Adham rahmatullahi alaih met Shaqeeeq Balkhi rahmatullahi alaih in Makkah Mukarramah and asked: “What made you devote all your time to the worship of Allah Ta’ala?” Shaqeeq rahmatullahi alaih replied: “I was once walking through a hot desert when I noticed a bird whose wings were broken off. I decided to wait and see how it would obtain food. I sat close by and watched carefully. After some time, another bird arrived and placed a … [Read more...]

During the battle of Uhud, Hanzalah bin Abi ‘Aamir (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) fought very bravely but was eventually martyred by Shaddaad bin Aswad. Innaa lillaahi wa innaa ilayhi raaji‘oon! When the battle had terminated, Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) addressed the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) saying, “Verily I saw the angels bathing (giving ghusl to) the body of Hanzalah bin Abi ‘Aamir (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), between the heavens and the … [Read more...]

There was once a person whose body would always exude the fragrance of the most exotic musk and perfume. A friend one day asked him, “What is this wonderful fragrance I always smell on you? You must be spending a lot of money on musk if you apply it so often!” The person replied, “By Allah! Never have I purchased musk nor have I ever applied it!” His friend was astonished and asked, “Then where does your fragrance come from?” Not keen to answer … [Read more...]

Imaam Abu Muhammad Al-Juwayni (rahimahullah) was a great ‘aalim who possessed an extremely high level of caution and concern regarding the consumption of halaal and haraam. The level of his concern was such that it prompted him to earn by working with his own hands, in order to have the peace of mind that he was earning a pure livelihood that was untainted by haraam.   When the time for Imaam Abu Muhammad Al Juwayni (rahimahullah) to … [Read more...]

Muhammad bin Yazeed Ansaari relates the following: When the khaleefah, Sulaimaan bin ‘Abdul Malik, passed away, his successor ‘Umar bin ‘Abdul ‘Azeez (rahimahullah), sent me to the jail to free all the prisoners who had been incarcerated under the rule of Sulaimaan – with the exception of one prisoner, Yazeed bin Abi Muslim. Yazeed bin Abi Muslim was upset over the fact that he alone was being left to languish in prison and vowed that he would … [Read more...]