Once upon a time, there were three men traveling together.
While on their way, it started to rain heavily and they searched for a place to take shelter.
They found a cave under a big mountain and decided to take cover in the cave until the rain stopped.
All of a sudden, a huge rock fell from the top of the mountain and blocked the opening of the cave.
The men were trapped and couldn’t move the rock, no matter how hard they tried.
However, these men believed in Allah and knew that only He could help them now.
The men had records of good deeds that they had done, so they told themselves, “Let us think of our good deeds in the past with which we can pray to Allah for help”.
They all took turns one after the other to mention their good deeds to Allah asking for His help as a blessing of their sincere good actions.
And Indeed, Allah is As-Samī’, the One who hears the plea of His servants!
The first man began to speak,
“Oh my Lord, I have both my old parents living with me.
Every evening, I milk my sheep and to honor my old parents, I give them milk to drink first before anyone else in my family.
One day, I went far away in search of pastures for my sheep and returned late in the evening.
I then milked my sheep and, as usual, took my parents’ portion to them so they could drink before anyone else.
When I got to them, they were both asleep. I didn’t wake them but knelt by their bed with the bowl of milk in my hand waiting for them to wake.
I remained in that position and did not leave until the dawn of the following day after my parents were awake and drank from the milk.”
“Oh Allah, if I did this for your sake, seeking only your pleasure, do make a way for us out of this trap.”
The men were amazed and relieved when the rock moved slightly as soon as the first man finished with his supplication.
But the small opening was not wide enough for the men to pass through.
“O my Lord, I had a cousin and I tried to do something wrong with her, but she reminded me to fear You and not to disobey You. I stopped immediately and didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Oh Allah, if I did this for your sake, seeking only your pleasure, do make a way for us out of this trap.”
Again, the rock moved slightly but still not enough to let the men go out of the cave.
Oh, what a relief! they thought to themselves as they looked at their third companion, hoping that he would find a good deed with which he can supplicate to Allah.
The third man searched his mind for a good deed which he did in the past that he could mention to Allah and in a flash, he found a beautiful one. He said:
“O my Lord, I hired some workers to work for me and I paid them their wages except for one of the workers who left before taking his wage.
I waited for him to return to collect his wages but when he didn’t show up, I invested his money in business and it made a lot of profit.
After some time, that worker came back and said to me:
‘O servant of Allah, give me my wages.”
I was honest and told him, “All that you see is yours; camels, cattle, goats and slaves.”
He couldn’t believe what I told him and so answered: “Do not play pranks on me!”
But, I assured him that I was serious and that I meant what I said. So he took all that I showed him without leaving anything behind.
“Oh Allah, if I did this for your sake, seeking only your pleasure, do make a way for us out of this trap.”
Lo and Behold! The rock moved completely when the third man finished his supplication and they were able to escape from the cave safely. Allah Akbar!
The men were so grateful to Allah for listening to their prayers and saving them. They continued their journey happily, knowing that Allah always listens to those who trust Him.
Written By:
Abdul Fattah Popoola
References:
Sahih Bukhari, Chapter 53, Hadith 3465
Sahih Muslim, Chapter 2, Hadith 2743
