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He, (PBUH) would correct their mistakes gently
Anas ibn Maalik narrated:
“The Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, passed by a woman who was crying by the grave of one of her children, so the Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said to her: ‘Be conscious of Allah and practice patience.’1 She responded by saying: ‘Go away from me, you have not been through what I have been through,’ but she did not know that she was speaking to the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. Afterwards, the woman was told: ‘That was the Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, (that was speaking to you).’2So she went to the house of the Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and did not see any guards at his door2 , and she said to him: ‘I did not know it was you.’ The Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, replied: ‘Patience is [accepted] only at the first shock of the calamity.’”3
Ibn Hajar (a scholar) said: “The term: “Patience is [accepted] only at the first shock of the calamity.” means that praiseworthy patience which one would be rewarded for is that which one practices at the first stroke of the calami- ty, contrary to patience that one practices after several days, because as days pass, the severity of the hardship fades away anyhow. The benefit of replying to her improper reaction was to let her know that reward only happens when patience is practiced at the first stroke.”4
Al-Khateeb Ad-Dimashqi (a scholar) said: “The term: “Be conscious of Allah and practice patience.” shows that the woman was crying more than she should, because normal crying is not disliked in Islam. The answer which the Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, gave her, which was not di- rectly related to her words, is a wise way of addressing the matter by directing her attention to the most important part of the issue and which is worthier to be answered.”5
It was as if the Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was tell- ing her that he was not upset for her improper reaction, as he, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, only got upset regarding matters related to the religion of Allah, and that she should think about what is more important.
المراجع
- In the narration of Abu Nu`aym: “O female slave of Allah, fear Allah.” Al-Qurtubi said: “It is apparent that her crying had too much wailing or something else [forbidden], which is why the Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, ordered her to fear Allah.” Fat-h Al-Baari (3/149).
- In another narration that Al-Bukhaari reported (7154), it states, “A man passed by her and said: ‘That was Allah’s Messenger,’ she said back, ‘I did not know it was him.’” Muslim’s version adds, “She was=
- Reported by Al-Bukhaari (1283) and Muslim (926).
- Fat-h Al-Baari (150/3).
- Al-Eedhaah Fi ‘Uloom Al-Balaaghah (110/2).
