Wonderful Way Of Showing Love

The Story of Little Zayd

Wonderful way of showing love

Fuzayl Madani

‘Come on children, everyone take their Islamic studies books out of their bags.’ Following sister Sidra’s instructions, all the children rushed to open their books, but Little Zayd was busy sleeping.

‘Little Zayd, wake up. If sister sees you sleeping, you will be told-off again today.’ Listening to Usamah, Little Zayd jolted up as if he was given an electric shock.

‘Where is Little Zayd?’, asked sister Sidra.

‘Yes sister I am here, sitting next to brother Usamah’, replied Little Zayd instantly.

‘Wow Little Zayd! You are actually awake in the class today.’ Listening to sister Sidra, Little Zayd looked at Usamah and smiled.

‘Right children! Before we start our lesson today, I am going to tell you a true and interesting story; are you all ready?’

‘Yes sister.’

‘Once upon a time, our Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم sat and leaned against a pillar after the Jumu’ah Salah. His beloved companion, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddeeq رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ, was also sat with him. After a little while, Sayyiduna Bilal Habashi رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ called out the Azaan (call to prayer) when it was time for it.  Dear children, when he رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ read ‘اَشْھَدُ اَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَّسُوْلُ الله’, then do you know what Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddeeq رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ did?’

‘I know! I know!’ Little Zayd answered quickly, as all the children looked at him shockingly.

‘Wow Little Zayd! Then do tell us also of what you know?’ She asked Little Zayd whilst smiling.

Little Zayd replied, ‘After this, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddeeq رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ offered Salah.’

After hearing this, Sister Sidra smiled and said: ‘Little Zayd! Salah is offered after the Azaan is completed. I asked what did he رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ do after hearing اَشْھَدُ اَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَّسُوْلُ الله?’

‘O, I don’t know this!’ All the children erupted with laughter as they heard Little Zayd’s answer.

‘You should not laugh at someone, and what Little Zayd said was very good.’ All the children settled down after hearing to what Sister Sidra said.

‘Okay, why don’t you tell us sister what did Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddeeq رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ do?’, asked Zahra whilst waving her hand impatiently.

‘Children! When he heard اَشْھَدُ اَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَّسُوْلُ الله, then he placed both his thumbnails on his eyes and said, ‘قُرَّۃُ عَیْنِیْ بِکَ یَارَسُوْلَ الله’.

‘Sister, what does it mean?’ Usamah asked astounded.

Sister Sidra replied: ‘This means: O Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, you are the coolness of my eyes.’

Upon hearing this, Little Zayd spontaneously uttered سُـبْحٰـنَ الـلّٰــه and said: ‘But sister, why did Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddeeq رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ do this?’

‘Little Zayd, it is because Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddeeq رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ had unconditional love for the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, and when he heard his blessed name, he placed his thumbs on his eyes out of love and devotion. Thereupon, do you know what the Holy Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said to him?’

As soon as children heard what sister said, they all looked towards Little Zayd!

‘No, I do not know it either.’ Little Zayd replied nodding his head.

Sister said: ‘Okay, let me tell you. Our Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said to Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddeeq رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ: ‘O Abu Bakr! Whosoever does what you have just done, Allah Almighty will forgive all his past and future sins.’ (Derived from Faizan-e-Siddeeq-e-Akbar, p. 186)

سُـبْحٰـنَ الـلّٰــه….

‘Sister! We should also kiss our thumbs whenever we hear the name of the Holy Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, isn’t it?’ Little Zayd asked looking at sister.

Sister said: ‘Yes, most certainly. We also love the Final Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. Let us also recite Salat and perform the same action:

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

As soon as the children and sister Sidra heard the name of the Holy Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, they all kissed their thumbs and placed them on their eyes.