The Moral Stories

A Unique Exapmle of Islamic Brotherhood

Uhud is a wellknown place a few miles outside Medina. One of the hardest battles of Islam was fought at this place. It was in defence of Islam against the enemies - the non-believers who had come from far away places.

In this battle the Muslim fighters had set noble examples of self-sacrifice. Many of them were martyred having fought bravely against the enemies.

Among them seven were fatally wounded and were breathing their last. All of them were also suffering from the pangs of thirst.

Someone came to them with a cup of water hardly sufficient to quench the thirst of one man. On offering the water to one of them, the water-bearer was directed towards another injured fighter lying besides him.

This second fighter sent him to the third one near him, this third directed him to the fourth, and so it went on till he reached the seventh warrior. When the seventh fighter was approached, he told him that since the first fighter was very thirsty, he should be given the water first.

The water-bearer then returned to the first injured fighter fend found him already dead. He then went to the second thence to the third, finding each already dead.

This happened also with the remaining fighters, all having died by the time he reached. All of them departed from this world thirsty leaving behind in history a golden example of Islamic brotherhood and self-secrifice for others.

Islam has laid much stress on the importance of mutual help, co-operation and sacrifice among Muslims. The Holy Quran dictates:

"The believers are but brethren, therefore make peace between your brethren and be careful of (your duty to) Allah that mercy may be had on you." (49:10) The Holy Prophet had said:

"One who starts his day without care for the affairs of Muslims is not a Muslim And Hazrat Ali (A.S) had said:

"Helping fellow Muslim brothers increases one's sustenance ".

A non-believer had just embraced Islam at the hands of the Holy Prophet. He complained of hunger and the Prophet sent someone to bring food from his house. But unfortunately none was then available. The Prophet then asked his companions, "Who can host this newly converted Muslim brother tonight?"

Hazrat Ali (A.S.) came forward and offered to do so. Holding the new convert's hand, he took him to his house. He asked Hazrat Fatima if any food was available. She replied: "Only a little provision, enough for the children".

Hazrat Ali (A.S.) in response said "The guest must come first before ourselves and the children"

Hazrat Fatima (A.S.) persuaded the children to sleep hungry that night. And Hazrat Ali (A.S.) reduced the light of the lantern. He then invited the guest to the meal in the semi-darkened room. He sat with him pretending as if he was also eating but in fact he did not eat lest the guest went hungry.

Hazrat Ali - Fatima and their children fed the guest for the pleasure of Allah while remaining hungry themselves. This self-sacrifice was so much appreciated by Allah that the following ayat in the Holy Quran was revealed in their praise:

"And those who made their abode in the city and in the faith before them love those who have fled to them, and do not find in their hearts a need of what they are given, and prefer (them) before themselves though poverty may afflict them, and whoever is preserved from the niggardliness of his soul, these it is that are the successful ones." (59:9)

A Splendid Example of Staunch Faith

Abu Baseer was one of the faithful companions of Imam Jaffer Sadiq (A.S.) he relates that once sitting with the Imam, a woman came in to ask a question :

"I am suffering from a disease. Doctors in Iraq have prescribed alcohol as the remedy. Do you, Oh Imam, permit me to drink alcohol?" The Imam in reply asked her:

"According to what you say, doctors have prescribed alcohol as medicine for your sickness, why then don't you drink?" The woman responded by saying:

"I am your follower, if you permit me to take alcohol, I shall do so. If not, I shall not. Because if tomorrow on Day of Judgement I am asked by Allah, I shall say I did so with the permission of my Imam." Imam Jaffer Sadiq'(A.S.) on hearing this turned to Abu Baseer and said:

"Do you hear what this woman has to say?"

In other words, do you not wonder and appreciate the staunch faith of this woman? Despite her illness, she does not follow the doctor's order to take alcohol but seeks our permission first.

Thereafter the Imam said:

"By the name of Allah, I do not permit you to drink even a drop of that because it is Haram. And should you drink, you will repent at that moment when your soul reaches here." So saying, the Imam pointed to his throat. And three times he asked: "Do you understand what I say?" And the woman said "Yes".

Despite the fact that alcohol was prescribed as a treatment of her illness the woman refused to touch it lest she broke the Shariat of Islam and sought the permission of the Imam - the rightful representative of Allah on earth.

Alcohol drinking ultimately brings regret at time of death. One used to drinking suffers extreme agony at time of.death. The soul does not depart easily from the body. True faith with good action is the primary requisite of a Muslim. Faith is the seed and good deeds the offshoot.

"One who consumes intoxicants will meet the Lord at death like a worshipper of idols."