Sultan Nuruddeen (Rahmatullahi alayh) was a very pious and just ruler who spent much of his time in special meditation and zikr. He was a saintly man whose nights were spent in worship. One night after performing Tahajjud Salaah he went to sleep and in his dream he saw Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), who pointed to two squint eyed persons and said: “Protect me from these two people”. The sultan awoke in distress. He performed wudhu and read nafl salaah and went back to bed. He had hardly fallen asleep when he saw exactly the same dream. Once again he woke up, did the same as before and again fell asleep. He had hardly closed his eyes when he saw the same dream for the third time. Now he rose from his bed and realised that there was no time for sleep. Hastily he summoned his advisor by the name of Jamaluddeen, who was also a very saintly person. After having told him the story thus far, the advisor said: “Now there is no time to lose, let us hasten to Madina Munawwarah and let no one be informed of this dream.”

Preparations were made in great haste. With twenty speacially selected men and fast camels loaded with goods they set forth. They travelled speedily by day and night. On the 16th day they reached Madinah Mubawwarah from Egypt. Outside Madinah Munawwarah they took ghusl and with due respect and humility they entered the Musjid and performed Salaah in the Raudhah. There the Sultan remained seated deep in thought about what to do. In the meanwhile, the Wazir was announcing that the king had come for ziyarat and to distribute gifts to the people of Madinah. He also arranged a huge feast to which all the people of Madinah Munawwarah were invited. Everyone came to collect the gifts. While these were being distributed the king stood by eagerly scanning the faces of all those who came forward. But he did not see the two faces that were shown to him in the dream. The king asked: “Is there anyone who has not come to take a gift?” The people replied: “No! Everyone has come.” He said: “Think carefully.” They then said: “Yes! Yes! There are two men who have come from the west. They are two saintly and ascetic personalities who do not accept any gifts or charities from anyone yet they spend liberally on others.” The king became curious and summoned them to his presence. Immediately on seeing them he realised that these two men precisely fit the description shown to him by Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) in the dream. He asked them: “Who are you and where do you come from?” They replied: “We are from the west and we have come to perform Haj and we wish to reside here in Madinah as neighbours of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam).” The king retorted: “I instruct you to tell me the truth!” At this they were surprised and could not even utter a word. He then asked: “Where have they taken up residence?” He was told that they are residing in a house opposite the Musjid very close to the Blessed Grave of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). Thereupon the king ordered that they be kept in custody whilst he himself went to investigate. On inspecting the house all he found was plenty of wealth, numerous goods and some religious books. But this investigation brought about nothing startling which could be connected to the dream. This also left the king baffled. From all sides, the people of Madinah Munawwarah came to intercede on their behalf, begging their release, saying: “These are two saintly and ascetic men. They fast by day and they always engage in salaat in the Roudhah. Daily they visit the grave of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) as well as the Baqee. Every Saturday they visit the Masjid in Quba. They never refuse a beggar and they very efficiently saw to the needs of the people of Madinah during this difficult year of draught.” The king, still confused, began moving around the room when suddenly he thought of lifting the mat which was spread over the floor. Underneath he found a tunnel dug out leading to the blessed grave of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). When the people saw this, they were all dumbstruck. On seeing this the king beat them up severely and said: “Give me the real story!” At last they came out with the true story that they were sent by the Christians who promised them much wealth if they bring out the Body of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) to them. They were told to disguise themselves as Haajis, proceed to Madinah Madinah, take up residence as close as possible to the blessed grave of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) and carry out their mission. They used to dig at night, pack the sand into bags and spread it out in Baqi.

On hearing this, the king burst into tears expressing his gratitude to Allah Ta’ala for having chosen him for this great service. Thereafter he executed the Christians. He also had deep trenches dug all around the Grave which were filled with molten lead so that no one could reach the body of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) from underneath. He then returned to Egypt. (Wafa-ul-Waf. vol:2. Pg: 648)

Lesson: The divine protection of Allah Ta’ala is all times with his beloved Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). Just as Allah Ta’ala protected Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) while he was in this world, likewise he protected the Mubarak body of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) in His grave. Similarly Allah Ta’ala’s divine protection is with the lifestyle and Sunnat of His beloved Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). If we wish to be protected in this world and the hereafter, let us firmly adhere to the lifestyle of our beloved Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam).