A pious man once entered a masjid to perform salaah, where he noticed two people: a devout worshipper engrossed in du‘aa and a trader seated nearby. He heard the worshipper supplicating to Allah Ta‘ala, “O my Master! O my Lord! Today I desire such-and-such a dish and such-and-such a sweet from You.”

The trader also heard the du‘aa. Instead of thinking well of the worshipper, he became suspicious and said to himself, “By Allah! Had he (simply) asked me, I would have given it to him. But he is trying to trick me and is only making a display so that I will give him something. By Allah! I will not give him anything.”

After completing his du‘aa, the worshipper lay down in a corner of the masjid and fell asleep. Just then, a man entered carrying a covered container of food. He looked to his right and left until he noticed the worshipper sleeping. He woke him up and placed the container before him, while the trader watched the entire scene unfold.

When the worshipper uncovered the container, he found exactly the dishes and sweets he had desired and asked Allah Ta‘ala for. He ate until he was satisfied, covered the container once again and returned it to its owner.

Unable to contain his curiosity, the trader approached the man who had brought the food and asked, “I ask you in the name of Allah, did you know this man before today?” “No, by Allah,” he replied. “I have never seen him before.”

He then explained that he earned a living as a porter. For an entire year he wanted to feed his family this particular food, but he was never able to afford it.

Earlier that day, after carrying a load for someone, he was paid two mithqaals of gold. He bought meat and the other ingredients, took them home and his wife prepared the meal.

Thereafter, sleep overtook him and he saw Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) in a dream. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said to him, “Today, one of the friends of Allah has come to you. He is in the masjid, and desires what your wife has prepared. Take it to him so that he may eat to his fill. Allah will place barakah in what remains, and I will be your guarantor for Jannah.” When he awoke, he brought the food to the masjid.

The trader then said, “I heard him asking Allah for this (very food).” He then asked the porter how much he had spent on preparing the meal. “One mithqaal,” the man replied.

The trader asked him to accept ten mithqaals from him and allow him to share in the promised reward. The porter however refused. The trader increased his offer to twenty mithqaals, then fifty, and finally one hundred mithqaals. Yet each time, the porter declined.

Finally, he said, “By Allah! I will not sell anything that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) has guaranteed me, even if I were offered the entire world. If you had a share in the reward of fulfilling the desire of this friend of Allah, you would have attained it before me. But Allah chooses whom He wishes.”

Realising what he had lost through his suspicion and cynical thinking, the trader left the masjid filled with regret.

(Hadaa-iqul Awliyaa – Ibnul Mulaqqin vol. 1, pg. 510)

Lessons:

1. A believer should always think good of others and avoid hastily judging their intentions. Allah Ta‘ala warns, “O you who believe! Avoid much suspicion. Indeed, some suspicion is a sin.” (Surah Hujuraat v12) Suspicion and cynical thinking can deprive a person of immense rewards and often lead him to sin. The trader assumed the worst about the worshipper’s du‘aa and withheld his generosity, only to realise that he had lost an opportunity that no amount of wealth could recover. Sadly, it has become common for people to question the sincerity behind the good deeds of others while readily assuming the best about their own intentions, whereas the opposite ought to be the case.

2. A Muslim has been blessed with a powerful weapon that is always at his disposal. No matter how great or small his need or desire may be, this weapon is always available. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “Should I not show you something that will save you from your enemies and increase your sustenance? Make du‘aa to Allah day and night, for indeed, du‘aa is the weapon of a believer.” (Abu Ya’laa – Majma‘uz Zawaa-id #17153) The pious worshipper in this incident understood the power of this weapon and placed his complete trust in Allah Ta‘ala. Thus, his du‘aa was readily accepted. Du‘aa should always be our first resort, not our last.

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