Download PDF: [S] Hadrat Rabee and Maymunah (Islamic story)

Hadrat Sayyiduna Rabee bin Khaythim Radi Allahu ‘Anhu was a very pious and famous person. It is recorded that he used to spend the entire night in Ibadah.

 

One day, his little daughter asked him, “O my father, who is the most beloved creation with you?”

 

He replied, “My master and owner, the Holy Prophet Sallal Laahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam.”

 

She then said, “I then ask you with the blessed name of the Holy Prophet Sallal Laahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam to please rest tonight.”

 

When Hadrat Rabee Radi Allahu ‘Anhu heard this, he implored Allah azza wajal, “O my Lord! You are fully aware that I love to stay awake the entire night in Ibadah more than sleeping, however, my daughter has made me swear in the blessed name of Your beloved Prophet Sallal Laahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam, therefore, tonight I will sleep awhile.”

 

However, while Hadrat Rabee Radi Allahu ‘Anhu was sleeping, he saw a dream in which he saw that there was a female from Basrah named Maymunah who will be his wife in Jannah. In the morning, he decided to travel to Basrah. When the people of the city saw who had arrived, they gave him a warm welcome. As we have said, Hadrat Rabee Radi Allahu ‘Anhu was considered as one the pious people of that era. He then asked them whether there was a person in this city named Maymunah. They asked, “Are you asking about that Maymunah who is insane and mad and during the day she takes care of the goats. Whatever income she gets, she buys dates and then distributes this among those who are poor and destitute? At night she stands on the roof and becomes so intense in her Ibadah that she does even allow us to sleep.”

 

Hadrat Rabee Radi Allahu ‘Anhu then asked them what she reads in these moments. They replied, she utters the words: “It is indeed surprising upon those who are true lovers. How can they can sleep even though sleep is Haraam upon the true lover.”

 

A most amazing couple

 

When Hadrat Rabee Radi Allahu ‘Anhu heard these words, he remarked, “By Allah! These are not the words of an insane person.”

 

“I then asked people the direction of where she was and they showed me the area. When I arrived at that place, I saw that she had made a special place for Salaah and was busy performing her Salaah. However, what was amazing was that next to her the goats were being protected and shepherded by the wolves. After she had completed her Salaah, I greeted her and she greeted me back by taking my name. I asked her how she had come to know my name and she replied, ‘All Praise is due to Allah azza wajal! The same Divine Being has informed me about your name who informed you that I would be your wife in Jannah. However, this is not the place of this pact that will occur in Jannah.’

 

“I then asked, ‘What is this strange sight I see where the wolves and the goats have become one as friends.’ She replied, ‘The moment that love for Allah azza wajal has been created in my heart and when love for this world has been removed from my heart, from that moment onwards, that Divine Being created peace between the wolves and the goats.’

 

“She then asked me to read a few words from the Qur’an. I then started to recite Surah Muzammil.”

 

Pertaining to this verse of the Holy Qur’an, Sadrul Afaadil, Moulana Na’eemudeen Muradabadi Radi Allahu ‘Anhu explains in the Khazaa’inul Irfaan that, “In other words, ‘O that person wrapped in cloth.’ In regard to this, there are various opinions. Some say that in the early stages of Divine Revelation, the Holy Prophet Sallal Laahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam used to wrap himself in a shawl out of immense fear for the Divine Creator azza wajal. It is in this state that Jibra’eel Ameen ‘Alayhis Salaam addressed him with the words, ‘Ya ayyuhal Muzammilu.’ One opinion is that the Holy Prophet Sallal Laahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam was at that moment wrapped in a shawl or mantle and hence this was the type of address. Another opinion is that this implies the blessed wrapping or mantle of Prophethood which is worn by this being who is the greatest of Prophets.”

 

She heard the Qur’an and passed away

 

It is reported that when Hadrat Rabee Radi Allahu ‘Anhu arrived at the 13th verse of this Surah, she screamed out aloud and passed away.

 

Hadrat Rabee Radi Allahu ‘Anhu continues, “I was then extremely worried about her last funeral rights when I noticed a group of women who had suddenly appeared. They informed me that I should not be worried as they would take care of these duties. I then asked them who had in fact given them the news that she had passed away. They replied, ‘We used to hear the Du’a she used to always make which was, ‘O Allah! Please allow me to die in front of Hadrat Rabee’ and when we heard that you had arrived in the city, then we instantly knew that her Du’a had been accepted in the Divine Court of Allah azza wajal.”

 

These are those beloved servants of Allah azza wajal who love and dedicate their entire life to Allah azza wajal and in return, He also loves them. These are those blessed servants of the Allah azza wajal who spend their every moment obeying Allah azza wajal. They also spend the entire night in the Ibadah of Allah azza wajal and when they pass away, there is no disgrace or embarrassment for them in the Hereafter.

 

Hadrat Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Fadl Radi Allahu ‘Anhu narrates that when Hadrat Sayyiduna Yahya bin Ma’az Radi Allahu ‘Anhu passed away, he was seen in a dream and he was asked as to how he had been treated with Allah azza wajal. He replied, “Allah azza wajal in His Infinite Mercy had pardoned me.” When he was asked the reason, he replied, “When I used to make Du’a, I used to say, ‘O Allah! Even though I am weak in worshipping You, but there is no weakness in Your Divine Love and Favour.’” (Ar Roudul Faa’iq)