Download PDF: [S] The Idol-Worshipper accepts Islam

It is mentioned that once Hadrat Sayyiduna Shaikh Abdul Wahid bin Zaid – may Allah be pleased with him – was on a sea voyage There were other people with him as well.

 

There was huge storm and the boat stopped at a certain island to save themselves from the storm. Hadrat Sayyiduna Shaikh Abdul Wahid bin Zaid – may Allah be pleased with him – then saw an idol worshipper.

 

He asked this person who he was worshipping to and the person pointed to his idol.

 

The great Shaikh replied that something like this could be made by anyone.

 

When the idol worshipped asked the great Shaikh who he worships, he replied, “Our Deity is that Divine Creator of everything including this idol which you worship. He is that Divine Being Who has control over everything which is on earth and in the heavens and He controls the living and the dead.”

 

The idol worshipper then asked Hadrat Sayyiduna Shaikh Abdul Wahid bin Zaid – may Allah be pleased with him – how he had come to know of this and he replied that this Divine Creator had sent a Messenger to the world.

 

The idol worshipped then asked where this Messenger was and the great Shaikh replied that since he had deliver his message, he was recalled by the Allah Almighty.

 

The idol worshipped then asked whether he had any evidence and proof for this and the great Shaikh presented a copy of the Holy Qur’an to him. He also recited a few verses.

 

When the idol worshipper heard certain verses of the Holy Qur’an, he shouted out, “Certainly, the words of such a Divine Being is something which should be fully accepted and obeyed.”

 

He then accepted Islam in front of everyone present. Hadrat Sayyiduna Shaikh Abdul Wahid bin Zaid – may Allah be pleased with him – and the other Muslims then taught the new convert a few verses of the Holy Qur’an and also a few Islamic laws.

 

During the night, these travellers decided to have a small nap when the new Muslim asked them, “Does the Divine Creator sleep?”

 

They replied that He was pure of this.

 

When he heard this, he declared, “How can you people sleep the Allah Almighty is always awake.”

 

As the boat left the island, the new Muslim also asked to join them.

 

When they reached the town, the people on the boat were under the impression that the new Muslim would visit his non-Muslim family for help and support both financially and otherwise. However, they were surprised by his statement. He declared to them, “When I used to be on the island worshipping an idol, at that time, Allah Almighty did not allow me to be harmed or destroyed, how will He allow me to be harmed and destroyed when I am worshipping Him now?”

 

A few days later, Hadrat Sayyiduna Shaikh Abdul Wahid bin Zaid – may Allah be pleased with him – heard that the new Muslim was on his death bed and decided to visit him. When the Shaikh asked him whether he had any need, the new Muslim replied, “It is through your effort that I had accepted Islam and through the Divine Mercy of Allah Almighty, He has fulfilled all of my needs.”

 

Hadrat Sayyiduna Shaikh Abdul Wahid bin Zaid – may Allah be pleased with him – also mentions that he then saw a dream where a maiden in Jannah was waiting for the new Muslim and when he opened his eyes, he noticed that the new Muslim had passed away. He also noticed that the new Muslim was reciting the 24th verse of Surah Ra’ad (13) in his dream.

 

سَلٰمٌ عَلَیۡکُمۡ بِمَا صَبَرْتُمْ فَنِعْمَ عُقْبَی الدَّارِ ﴿ؕ۲۴﴾

 

“Peace be upon you, the recompense of your patience – so what an excellent gain is the final abode!”