An Encounter with a Thief
Al Bukhari(R.A.) recorded the following hadith in his Sahih from Abu Huraira(R.A.), in the chapter on the virtues of the Quraan:
Narrated Abu Huraira(R.A.): Allah’s Apostle(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) deputed me to keep Sadaqat (Al-Fitr) of Ramadan. A someone came and started taking handfuls of the foodstuff (of the Sadaqa) stealthily. I took hold of him and said, “By Allah, I will take you to Allah’s Apostle(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) .” He said, “I am needy and have many dependents, and I am in great need.” I released him.
In the morning Allah’s Apostle(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) asked me, “What did your prisoner do yesterday?” I said, “O Allah’s Apostle ! The person complained of being needy and of having many dependents, so, I pitied him and let him go.”
Allah’s Apostle(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, “Indeed, he told you a lie and he will be coming again.”
I believed that he would show up again as Allah’s Apostle(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) had told me that he would return. So, I waited for him watchfully. When he (showed up and) started stealing handfuls of foodstuff, I caught hold of him again and said, “I will definitely take you to Allah’s Apostle(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) . He said, “Leave me, for I am very needy and have many dependents. I promise I will not come back again.” I pitied him and let him go.
In the morning Allah’s Apostle(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) asked me, “What did your prisoner do.” I replied, “O Allah’s Apostle! He complained of his great need and of too many dependents, so I took pity on him and set him free.”
Allah’s Apostle(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, “Verily, he told you a lie and he will return.”
I waited for him attentively for the third time, and when he (came and) started stealing handfuls of the foodstuff, I caught hold of him and said, “I will surely take you to Allah’s Apostle(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) as it is the third time you promise not to return, yet you break your promise and come.” He said, “(Forgive me and) I will teach you some words with which Allah will benefit you.” I asked, “What are they?” He replied, “Whenever you go to bed, recite “Ayat-al-Kursi” ‘Allahu la ilaha illa huwa-l-Haiy-ul Qaiyum’(Allah, there is none worthy of worship but He, the Ever Living the One Who sustains and protects all that exists.) [Surah Al Baqarah Ayah 255 (Ayat-ul-Kursi) ] till you finish the whole verse. If you do so Allah will appoint a guard for you who will stay with you and no satan will come near you till morning. ” So, I released him.
In the morning, Allah’s Apostle(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) asked, “What did your prisoner do yesterday?” I replied, “He claimed that he would teach me some words by which Allah will benefit me, so I let him go.”
Allah’s Apostle(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) asked, “What are they?” I replied, “He said to me, ‘Whenever you go to bed, recite Ayat-al-Kursi from the beginning to the end “Allahu la ilaha illa huwa-lHaiy-ul-Qaiyum”.’ He further said to me, ‘If you do so, Allah will appoint a guard for you who will stay with you, and no satan will come near you till morning.’
(Abu Huraira(R.A.) or another sub-narrator) added that they (the companions) were very keen to do good deeds.
The Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, “He really spoke the truth, although he is an absolute liar. Do you know whom you were talking to, these three nights, O Abu Huraira?” Abu Huraira(R.A.) said, “No.” He said, “It was Satan.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 3, Book 38, Number 505]
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Ayat-ul-Kursi is described as the greatest Ayah in the Quraan.
Imam Ahmad(R.A.) recorded that ‘Ubayy bin Ka’b(R.A.) said that the Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) asked him about the greatest Ayah in the Book of Allah, and ‘Ubayy answered “Allah and his Messenger know better.” When the Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) repeated his question serveral times, Ubayy(R.A.) said “Ayat-ul-Kursi” The Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) commented, “Congratulations for having knowledge, O Abu Al-Mundhir! By He in whose Hand is my soul! this Ayah has a tongue and two lips which praises the King (Allah) next to the leg of the throne.” [Ahmad 5:14] [Muslim 1:556 ]
VIRTUES OF AYATUL KURSI:
- This is the most lofty Ayat of the Qur’an -e-Kareem.
- That is the chief Ayat of the Qura’an-e-Kareem.
- The reader is protected from the evil effects of Jinn from morning till evening and from evening until morning.
- It is from the threshold of the Arsh(Throne).
- It is equal to a quarter of the Qur’an(in reward).
- Whoever recites after the Fard salaat will be protected until the next salaat and reciting it constantly was done by the Nabi, Siddique or martyr and only death is the barrier between the reader and Jannat(Paradise).
- Blowing it upon food and drink brings blessings and abundance.
- It is greater(in value) than the skies, earth, Jannat and Jahannam.
- Whosoever reads it upon entering the home, satan flees from that home.
- The reciter, his children, home, wealth, property and the homes of his neighbours are safe.
- Whosoever reads it together with the last Ayats of Surah Baqarah, shaytaan does not enter his home for three days.
- The Jinn cannot open any utensil upon which it is read.
- In it is the Ism Azam(Blessed name of Allah; through which the invokers duaa is fulfilled).
- When reciting it whilst retiring to one’s sleeping place, one is protected until the morning. Two Angels are deputed to protect that person.
- Whosoever recites it after every Fard salaat, will be rewarded with a grateful heart, a remembering tongue, the reward of being martyred in the path of Allah, and will also be rewarded like the Siddiques.
- When one reads it and blows on his possessions and goods, then shaytaan will not come near.
BY Sheikh Yusuf bin Abdullah-as-Soofi Shafi(R.A.)
“Allah! None has the right to be worshipped but He, the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists. Neither slumber nor sleep overtakes Him. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His permission? He know what happens to them (His creatures) in this world, and what will happen to them in the Hereafter. and they will never compass anything of His Knowledge except that which He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.” [Surah Al-Baqarah Ayat Al-Kursi (v.255)]
Courtesy: www.everymuslim.co.za
