Great Goodness in the Ghee

[ummtaalib]

 

Sayyidah Ummu Maalik (radhiyallahu ‘anha) was a Sahaabiyyah of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) from the Ansaar of Madeenah Munawwarah. She would sometimes bring a leather bag filled with ghee and present it to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) as a gift.

 

On one occasion, when she brought the bag of ghee to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), he instructed Sayyiduna Bilaal (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) to empty the bag and return it to her. Hence, Sayyiduna Bilaal (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) emptied the bag, even squeezing it until all the ghee had been extracted from inside the bag. He thereafter returned the bag to her.

 

On taking the bag back, Sayyidah Ummu Maalik (radhiyallahu ‘anha) found that it was full of ghee! This caused her great concern, as she feared that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had perhaps rejected her gift on account of him receiving revelation regarding her (i.e. her wealth being contaminated, or her actions not being accepted, etc.). Hence, she came to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and asked, “O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! Have you received any revelation in my regard?” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) responded by asking her, “Why do you ask?” She replied, “You have returned my gift to me!”

 

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) thus called Sayyiduna Bilaal (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and asked him (whether he had accepted the gift and emptied the ghee as instructed). Sayyiduna Bilaal (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) replied, “I take an oath by that Being Who has deputed you with the truth! I squeezed the bag (empty) until I even felt embarrassed!” 

 

Hearing this, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) addressed Sayyidah Ummu Maalik (radhiyallahu ‘anha) and said, “May you find enjoyment in it, it is barakah (blessings from Allah Ta‘ala), O Ummu Maalik! It is barakah, the reward of which Allah Ta‘ala has (granted you and) swiftly shown you (in this worldly life).” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) thereafter taught her to recite “Subhaanallah”, “Alhmadulillah” and “Allahu Akbar” ten times each after every salaah. (Al-Isaabah vol. 8, pg. 468)

 

In another narration, it is mentioned that when the children of Sayyidah Ummu Maalik (radhiyallahu ‘anha) would ask her to give them something to eat with their bread (as gravy), and at that time she did not possess anything to give them, she would go to the leather bag which she would use when giving ghee to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) as a gift. Allah Ta‘ala had placed such barakah in the ghee that she would always find some ghee in it.

 

One day, Sayyidah Ummu Maalik (radhiyallahu ‘anha) decided to squeeze the bag (in order to extract as much ghee as she could), but as soon as she did so, the ghee seized to come out. She thus came to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and informed him that the ghee had stopped. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) asked her, “Did you squeeze the bag?” When she replied in the affirmative, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “Had you left it (without squeezing it), it would have continued (to come out, as it was barakah from Allah Ta‘ala).” (Saheeh Muslim #5945 and Takmilatu Fathil Mulhim)

 

Note:

 

In this narration, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) taught Sayyidah Ummu Maalik (radhiyallahu ‘anha) to recite “Subhaanallah”, “Alhamdulillah” and “Allahu Akbar” ten times each after every salaah. However, in other narrations, it is reported that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had taught Sayyidah Faatimah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) to recite “Subhaanallah” thirty-three times, “Alhamdulillah” thirty-three times and “Allahu Akbar” thirty-four times after every salaah.

 

The ‘Ulama explain that it is permissible for one to practice on both of these narrations, though it will be more rewarding for one to recite the tasbeeh taught to Sayyidah Faatimah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) in which “Subhaanallah” is recited thirty-three times, “Alhamdulillah” thirty-three times and “Allahu Akbar” thirty-four times.

 

Lessons:

 

1. The Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) had the greatest love in their hearts for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), and this love brought them abundant goodness and blessings in this world and the next. They were always prepared to sacrifice their lives, wealth and desires for the sake of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). We must make du‘aa to Allah Ta‘ala to bless us with such love for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) that translates into following every aspect of his beautiful lifestyle. We must also recite abundant durood upon Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). In this way, we will also enjoy goodness and blessings in our lives as well.

 

2. Despite the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) being the esteemed companions of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), and their high rank being mentioned in the Quraan Majeed, they were never complacent regarding their Deen and Imaan. Rather, they always regarded themselves to be nothing and feared for the safety of their Imaan and the acceptance of their actions.

 

UswatulMuslimah

 

Jamiatul Ulama (KZN)
Council of Muslim Theologians