#Islam
Someone Beat Us to Allah | Translations from Ibn Al-Jawzi in AlMuntatham fi Siyar AlMuluk wal Umam
A beautiful lesson taught to us by Fudhayl ibn Iyadh, Abdullah ibn AlMubarak, and a servant of Allah who was close to him, and unknown to us.
Abdullah ibn AlMubarak 
said, “I came to Makkah while it had been stricken by drought and the people were praying istisqaa in the Masjid Al-Haram, and I was by the gate of Bany Shaybah, when a I saw a young black boy who was wearing two pieces of burlap, one piece wrapped around his waist and the other tossed over his shoulder. He stood at a secluded place next to me and I heard him say, “My Lord, the faces are worn due to their sins and the evil of their deeds, and you have prevented us from rain to discipline the creation, I ask you oh patient and forbearing One, You who His slaves know nothing of Him except that which is beautiful, give them rain, in this moment…in this moment..”
Ibn AlMubarak said, “He continued to say, “at this moment” until the sky became filled with clouds, and the rain descended from every direction, and he sat in his place making tasbih, and I began to cry. When he left I followed him to mark his residence, and I returned to Fudhayl ibn Iyadh who said to me,
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“Why do you look so depressed?”
I said to him, “Someone beat us to Allah, and so He took him as an intimate companion other than us.”
He said, “How so?”
So I told him the story, and he cried out “Woe be to you, oh Ibn Mubarak! Take me to him!”
I said, “There’s no time at the moment, I’ll find out more about him.”
So the next morning I prayed Fajr and I went to his residence and there was an old man at the door, when he saw me he recognized me, and said, “Welcome of Abu Abdulrahman, what do you need?”
I said, “I am in need of a black boy.”
He said, “I have many, and so he cried out “Boy!” and a strong young man emerged, and he said, “You’ll have a good result with this one, He would be good for you.”
I said, “I have no need for him” So he continued to bring out boy after boy, until I saw the boy that I recognized, so when I saw him my eyes teared. He said, “Is this the one?”
I said, “Yes” but he said, “There’s no way I can sell him.”
I said, “Why not?” He said, “Because I see his presence in this house as a blessing, and he does not cost me anything!” I said, “Where does he eat from?”
He said, “He earns from some food that he sells and that is his sustenance, and if he does not sell he eats it and that is sufficient. And the other boys tell me that he does not sleep these long nights, and he does not mix with them but is busy with himself, and my heart has loved him.”
I said, “Do I go back to Fudhayl ibn Iyadh and Sufyan Al-Thawri without having fulfilled their need?”
He said, “Your coming to me is a great occasion for me, you can have him for whatever price you wish.”
“So I purchased him and took him towards Fudhayl, we walked for a moment before he said, “My master,”
I said, “At your service.”
He said, “Please don’t say ‘at your service’ to me, for the slave is the one who should be at the service of his master.”
I said, “What do you need, my Beloved.”
He said, “I am physically weak, and don’t have the strength to serve, and you had options other than me, others were brought out who were stronger than me.”
I said, “May Allah never see you serving me, rather I will purchase for you a house and wed you, and I will serve you myself.”
He cried in that moment, and I said, “What makes you cry?”
He said, “You didn’t do that except that you saw one of my communications with Allah, otherwise why would you choose me over the others?”
I said, “Don’t worry about it.” But he insisted, “I ask you by Allah to tell me.”
I said, “The response to your supplication”
He said, “I estimate that you are- in sha Allah- a righteous man. Allah has a chosen group amongst his creation, he does not expose their status except to whom He loves from amongst his slaves.” Then he said, “Is it alright if we stop for a moment, I have some rak’at that I owe from yesterday.”
I said, “The house of Fudhayl is near.”
He said, “No, here is more beloved to me. The commands of Allah should not be delayed.” He entered the masjid from the door of the merchants so he continued to pray and when he finished he looked towards me and said, “Oh Abu Abdulrahman do you need anything?”
I said, “Why?”
He said, “Because I want to journey on.”
I said, “To where?”
He said, “The hereafter.”
I said, “Let me enjoy your company!”
He said, “Life was only sweetened when my interaction was only with Allah. Now if you have been exposed to it, other will as well, and I have no need for that.”
He then collapsed onto his face and said, “Oh my Lord, take me to You in this moment, in this moment.” I came near to him and found that he had passed away.
By Allah I never remembered him except that a long sadness would envelope me and that the dunya would become insignificant in my eyes.
-Mentioned by Ibn Al-Jawzi in AlMuntatham fi Siyar AlMuluk wal Umam
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Hena
February 26, 2016 at 1:01 PM
SubhanAllah, subhanAllah, subhanAllah.
DI
February 26, 2016 at 3:14 PM
Alhamdulillah good post.
It would be great if there was a post on stories of salat al-istisqa (the prayer for rain). Here is one story: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/almihrab/2014/02/the-rain-prayer-did-it-really-work/
and a video of it being done successfully in California https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BP4EbNgQYNE
I’ve heard of it being done successfully in Mecca too but can’t find much on it.
di.
tarik
March 4, 2016 at 1:31 PM
Salam I think you didn’t get the point from this story you have to read it countless time , the secret is not only from salat but who is perfoming it the boy has a higher level with Allah than a tabi3ine them selves. We should cry for ourselves till we die !
Kirana
February 26, 2016 at 7:43 PM
Er… “wed you”? Is this narration correct?
Fareeha
February 26, 2016 at 8:21 PM
I think what it meant was to find you a nice girl and give you a nice comfortable that you have being deprived of.
Madi
February 27, 2016 at 3:07 AM
He does not mean that he marry the boy himself. It means that Ibn Mubarak will get him married to a suitable girl. The wording is not incorrect. I have seen it being said this way before. It does not imply a gay relationship.
B
February 27, 2016 at 10:41 AM
Subhan’Allah, Ma Shaa Allah what a beautiful story. Jazak Allahu Khairan Kathira
Hatif Hammad
February 29, 2016 at 3:09 AM
SubhanAllah! AllahHuAkhar!
This melted my heart. And I realized I have such low Iman. Ya Allah, increase the level of Iman in your servants and forgive our sins, for it is you who forgives them. Grant us good in this world and in the Hereafter.
Ameen Ya Rab-al-aalameen!
Ghazala
March 4, 2016 at 1:32 PM
JazakAllahu khairan katheeran Br. Ammar.
I absolutely loved reading this. Made me realise, how far I’am, unfortunately, in building a bond that strong with my Master.
May Allah make our families & us of those closest to Him, Aameen.
Abeer E.
March 5, 2016 at 7:53 AM
I read this many years ago and each time I read it, the tears flow & it stirs my heart & soul too. Ikhlas is so important and unfortunately it seems to have been lost in many cases today. May we be granted sincerity in our actions and worship, and may our best connection be with our Most Beloved, followed by those most beloved to Him. Ameen. Thanks for sharing.
ILYAS
March 5, 2016 at 11:23 AM
Allahu Akbar, what a beautiful story. Never underestimate anyone, he/she might be ur golden ticket to al-jana
Asif
March 7, 2016 at 2:08 PM
Subhan’Allah, Subhan’Allah, Subhan ‘Allah, we wish we were amongst this pious people of Allah (swt)
junaid
March 8, 2016 at 10:47 AM
SubhanAllah, Ma Shaa Allah AllahHuAkhar, what a beautiful story. Jazak Allahu Khairan Kathira
Abdul Bari
March 11, 2016 at 9:17 AM
Assalamu alikum.. .
Great story.. .!!!
Certainly thoz peopl r respectable before Almighty Allah who r more fearing to Him…
Allah dz nt look towards ur beauty and wealth bt looks into ur heart and ur deeds.. .
nuhu halidu
March 16, 2016 at 10:14 AM
masha Allah i sometimes feel sad about the level corruption in my country nigeria and many people happy about it
Masjid Al Aqsa
April 7, 2016 at 1:24 PM
Ibn AlMubarak said, “He continued to say, “at this moment” until the sky became filled with clouds, and the rain descended from every direction, and he sat in his place making tasbih, and I began to cry. When he left I followed him to mark his residence, and I returned to Fudhayl ibn Iyadh who said to me,
Umm Ayesha
May 2, 2016 at 10:51 PM
SubhanAllah, its realy taqwa that brings us closer to Allah. Another inspiring story about how someone beat us to Allah is Sarah, a must read.
http://gum.co/Ljhu
Thoriquljannah
May 5, 2016 at 12:02 PM
Allahu Akbar, only Islam is the true religion
harga-umroh-2016