Download PDF: [S] Helping the Poor became his Hajj (Islamic story)

Hadrat Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Mubaarak – may Allah be pleased with him – narrates:

 

One year I decided to go on Hajj. As I entered the city of Kufah, I noticed a female who was removing the feathers from a dead duck which was laying on a rubbish heap. I thought to myself that indeed this duck is dead and how can this female actually eat something like this.

 

I then approached her and asked, “Tell me, is this duck something which died naturally or is it something which was slaughtered in an Islamic manner?”

 

She replied that she had found it dead on this rubbish heap and this was the only food which she could feed herself and her children with.

 

I then mentioned that Allah Almighty had made such food Haraam upon Muslims.

 

However, she became angry with my answer and asked me to leave her alone.

 

However, I continued questioning her and finally she revealed, “I have three children and for three days, we have not had anything to eat.”

 

When the great Saint heard this, he then went and purchased some food for them and loaded it on his donkey. After searching for their house and finally finding it, he knocked on their door. When the female opened the door, he handed her his donkey and whatever goods he had with him and also whatever money he had with him.

 

Hadrat Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Mubaarak – may Allah be pleased with him – then decided to stay in this city. Obviously, since he did not have the means, he could not go for Hajj.

 

When the time of Hajj had passed, Hadrat Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Mubaarak – may Allah be pleased with him – waited for the others to arrive from Hajj. When they came he also decided to return with them to his village.

 

But the moment they saw him, all of them rushed forward and congratulated him on his Hajj. Hadrat Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Mubaarak – may Allah be pleased with him – reminded them that he had not performed the Hajj that year.

 

However, one of them mentioned, “Glory be to Allah, what type of answer is this? Did I not leave some of my money with you and we were travelling to Mecca Shareef? On the journey, I had also taken this back from you.”

 

Another person replied, “Did you not give me water at a certain place on the journey?”

 

Another person remarked, “Did you not purchase a certain item at a certain time?”

 

During the night while he slept, Hadrat Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Mubaarak – may Allah be pleased with him – saw a dream in which someone was saying, “O Abdullah! Without doubt, Allah Almighty had certainly accepted your charity and He had created an Angel in your image who completed the Hajj on your behalf.” (Al Qalyubi)