One Story to reflect upon

 *One Story to reflect upon*

In the darkness of the night, *Abdullah ibn al-Mubarak* went out to bid farewell to his companions before leaving for Hajj. On his way, he heard a rustling sound near a pile of garbage. Approaching quietly, he saw a woman hunched over, picking up a dead chicken and hiding it under her arm.  

Shocked, he asked her, *"O servant of Allah, what are you doing?"*  

With tears streaming down her face, she replied, *"Leave creation to the Creator... I am a widow and a mother of four starving daughters. We have no money, no food, and no door opens for us. So Allah has permitted us to

eat what is dead, just so I can feed my children. Will you stop me from taking it?"*  

Abdullah’s heart trembled. Without hesitation, he took out *all the money he had saved for Hajj* and gave it to her.  

He returned home saddened that he wouldn’t perform Hajj that year—but then, a miracle happened.

When the pilgrims came back from Makkah, they all said to him, *"May Allah reward you, O Abdullah! You never left us for a moment—you were with us in every ritual of Hajj, teaching us, comforting us, and feeding us!"*  

Ibn al-Mubarak was astonished—he had stayed in his town, so how did they see him there?  

That night, in a dream, a man with a radiant face appeared to him and said:  

*"Peace be upon you, O Abdullah! I am an angel sent by the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). You were deprived of visiting my grave, so I came to visit you instead. Allah has granted you the reward of a Hajj for every pilgrim, and for you alone, the reward of 70 Hajj pilgrimages!"*  

Then the angel added:  

*"Just as you covered the shame of the mother of orphans, Allah has covered you. Just as you gave, the Most Generous has given to you."*  

*O you who boast about the number of Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages—*  

*Instead, circle around the hearts of the hungry.*  

*Walk through the paths of widows.*  

*And there, you will find Allah.*  

*O Allah, send Your peace and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, and grant us love for goodness and mercy in our hearts.*

*Reflection:*  

This powerful story teaches us that *true worship isn’t just about rituals—it’s about compassion.* Abdullah ibn al-Mubarak thought he missed Hajj, but Allah gave him something far greater: *the reward of 70 Hajj pilgrimages* because he prioritized feeding the needy over his own desire.  

*Mercy opens doors that even worship cannot.*

So before chasing acts of devotion, ask yourself: *Have I circled the hearts of the hungry? Have I walked in the footsteps of the oppressed?*  

For *Allah is with those who are merciful.* 

*"The creation is Allah’s family, and the most beloved to Him are those who benefit His family."*

_Asalamu Alaikum._