One Account, One Miracle
Children’s Party
Mawlana Arshad Aslam Attari Madani
Today, Umm Habiba was thrilled; her cousins Hania and Hafsa had come after many days. Hania said, “It’s been so many days since we last met. Now that we’ve caught up with each other, what should we do next?” Hafsa remarked, “Let’s have a party this evening.” “Good idea!” Hania and Umm Habiba burst. Hafsa interjected, “But,” and went silent. Umm Habiba said, “But what?” Hafsa said worriedly, “We do not have money, so where will we get all the things we need for the party?” Smiling, Umm Habiba remarked, “Don’t worry! My Dad already gave us money for a party.” Hearing this, Hafsa became happy. Umm Habiba rose from her place, saying, “Come on! Let’s make a list of what we need.”
Later, as the children were enjoying the party and gorging on the delicious snacks, Granddad came in and said, “Hey! What about me? I’d like some snacks too please.” Suhayb remarked, “But Granddad! This is a children’s party, and you’re a grown-up!” The whole room, including Granddad, burst into laughter. Granddad told the children, “Look, it’s good for us all to play, eat, and have fun together.” Khubayb said, “Granddad! Today Hafsa and Hania are here too. It’s a good time to learn about a miracle.” Hania and Hafsa began to say, “Yes, Granddad! We were about to ask you to tell us about a miracle ourselves.” Granddad replied, “OK! Let me think.” After some time, as soon as Granddad recalled a miracle, he began telling the story, “Once upon a time, our beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم was traveling from Madinah al-Munawwarah towards Tabuk with his Companions عَـلَيْهِمُ الرِّضْوَانْ . In those times, people travelled on camels and horses. It took one month to reach Tabuk. As the journey was long, people took food and water with them. But after some days, they ran out of food.”
“Oh no!” said the children.
Umm Habiba spoke, “Granddad! Once you told us that there were no shops or restaurants along the route in those days, so what did the people do?” Granddad acknowledged Umm Habiba’s excellent question and said, “Let me tell you!
“When the people became extremely hungry, they came to our beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم and said, ‘Please allow us to slaughter our camels so we get some food to eat. ’ Our beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم permitted them.”
Khubayb asked, “Granddad! How many camels did they slaughter then?” Granddad smiled at first, and then replied, “Not even one.” Umm Habiba asked, “What? Not even one? Then, what did they eat?” Granddad explained, “Sayyiduna ʿUmar رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ came to our beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم , and with utmost respect and etiquette, pleaded, ‘Dear Messenger of Allah Almighty! The riding animals will be diminished if the people slaughter their camels.’ Sayyiduna ʿUmar رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ suggested, “Ask the people to present their remaining food, then supplicate to Allah Almighty. Indeed, Allah Almighty will grant blessings in this provision.” Granddad continued, “Our beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم accepted the suggestion of Sayyiduna ʿUmar رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ and asked the people to bring whatever food they had left.
So, people began bringing their food. Some brought pieces of bread, and others a few dates in their hands. In this manner, only a small amount of food was gathered on the dining mat. There was still not enough food for even one meal. Our beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم supplicated over this small collection of food and said to the people, ‘Fill your containers.’”
A bewildered Hania asked, “When there was so little food, how did people fill their vessels?” Before Granddad could reply, Suhayb said in delight, “It must have multiplied as a miracle for our beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم ! Granddad’s told us about so many miracles like this before!” Hearing Suhayb, Hania and Hafsa’s interest increased.
Granddad said, “All the people accompanying our beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم filled their containers with food and then they also all ate from the collected food until they were full. Even after this, there was still more food on the dining mat!”[1]
Granddad informed them, ”It was a miracle of our beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم that such a small amount of food was enough for all the people to eat and get full from, and on top of that, all the people were able to fill their containers with food as well!”
Overjoyed, Suhayb cried, “Granddad! Tell us another miracle please.” Granddad placed his hand tenderly on Suhayb’s head and remarked, “I think this much is enough for today. I’ll tell you another one next time”
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