On one occasion, Sayyiduna Zaid bin Haarithah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) hired the services of a person to take him to Taa-if on his mule.

After traveling for some time, the owner of the mule led him to a deserted area where he forced Sayyiduna Zaid (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) to dismount. On dismounting, Sayyiduna Zaid (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) observed that the entire area was strewn with the bodies of people who were murdered. At that moment, the owner of the mule expressed his intention to kill Sayyiduna Zaid (radhiyallahu ‘anhu).

Sayyiduna Zaid (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) said to him, “Allow me to perform two rakaats of salaah.” The man retorted, “Perform salaah (if you wish), for all these people before you performed salaah as well, yet it did not (apparently) benefit them in any way.”

Sayyiduna Zaid (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) then performed his salaah. After completing it, when the man approached him to kill him, Sayyiduna Zaid (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) called out in du‘aa, “Yaa Arhamar Raahimeen (O the Most Merciful of those who show mercy)!” In response, they heard a voice call out, “Do not kill him!” This startled the man, who went in search of the source of the voice, but was unable to find anyone present.

When he returned to kill Sayyiduna Zaid (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), he again called out, “Yaa Arhamar Raahimeen!” Once again, a voice called out, “Do not kill him!”

This happened thrice, until a horseman appeared from the unseen, carrying an iron spear with a blazing flame at its tip. The horseman used the spear to stab the man through his back, killing him and causing him to fall to the ground. The horseman (who was actually an angel) then explained, “When you called out “Yaa Arhamar Raahimeen” the first time, I was in the seventh heaven. When you called out the second time, I was in the in the sky of the dunya. When you called out the third time, I came to your assistance.” (Kitaabul Mustagheetheena Billahi Ta‘ala – Ibnu Bashkuwaal, pg. 10)

Note: A similar incident has been reported regarding Sayyiduna Abu Mi’laq (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) which can be read here.

Lessons:

1. When we have any problem, big or small, our first response should be to make wudhu, perform two rakaats of salaah and then beg Allah Ta‘ala in du‘aa.

2. When begging Allah Ta‘ala in du‘aa, we must first praise Him (e.g. by mentioning His Divine attributes – ‘O Most Merciful’ etc.). We must also make du‘aa with complete conviction that Allah Ta‘ala is listening to our du‘aa and will certainly assist us.

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