Did the lady from Banee Israa'eel get what she asked for.....(Paradise)?
On the authority of Abu Moosaa Al-Asha'ree (May Allaah be pleased with him) stated:
A bedouin came to the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) and He honored him. He (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said to him: "Come here", so he went to him. The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said to him: "Ask for your need", so he said: "I need a camel with its mount and some she goats that my family can milk." The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) responded, "You have fallen short from being like the old lady of Banee Israa'eel." His companions said, "Oh Messenger of Allaah, who is the old lady of Banee Israa'eel?"
He (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) stated: "Indeed when Moosaa (alayhis salaam) left with Banee Israa'eel from Egypt they got lost on the path. Moosaa (alayhis salaam) said, "What is this?" The scholars from amongst them stated: We will inform you of what has taken place. Indeed Yoosuf took a covenant from us with Allaah that we will not leave Egypt except that we will take his body with us. Moosaa (alayhis salaam) said, "Who knows the place of his grave?" They said, "We don't know where the grave of Yoosuf (alayhis salaam) is, only the old lady from Banee Israa'eel knows." Moosaa (alayhis salaam) sent for her and she came. He (alayhis salaam) said, "Direct me to the grave of Yoosuf (alayhis salaam)." She said, "No, by Allaah, I will not do so until you give me my ruling. He (alayhis salaam) said, "What is your ruling?" She said, "That I be with you in paradise." He (alayhis salaam) disliked to give her that, so Allaah revealed to him to give her ruling to her. As a result of that, she took them to a lake which had a small amount of water. She said, "Remove this water." They removed it. She said, "Dig and remove the body of Yoosuf (alayhis salaam)." When they raised his body to the surface, the path became illuminated like the light of the daytime."
(Al-Haakim, Abu Ya'laa, Authenticated by Al-Albaani in As-Saheehah # 313)
The Benefits from this Hadeeth:
1. The generosity of the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) in honoring His guest.
2. The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) taught the ummah to have high goals and that is by seeking the hereafter.
3. Being away from the knowledge will cause a person to not have high aspirations in seeking the hereafter as in the case of the bedouin arab here. Different from Rabee'ah bin K'ab (May Allaah be pleased with him) who brought the Prophet's wadhoo (water for ablution) and the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said to him "Ask for what you want" and Rabee'ah said: "I ask to be in your company in the paradise." The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said "Or other than that?" and Rabee'ah said: "That's it." The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "Help me against yourself with a lot of prostration." (Saheeh Muslim #489)
4. In the stories of the previous nations there are lessons for this nation.
5. Not only men are examples of righteousness for the men and women, but we also have women who are examples for both men and women.
6. Moosaa (alayhis salaam) asked the scholars from amongst Banee Israa'eel regarding them getting lost on the path. Therefore, from the methodology of the Prophets is to ask those who know.
7. The Prophets do not know the unseen.
8. Breaking a covenant which was taken by a people with Allaah, can lead one to become lost on his path.
9. The way of the Prophets is to uphold covenants that were taken.
10. The Prophets are humble men. Moosaa (alayhis salaam) took knowledge from the old lady of Banee Israa'eel.
11. The zeal of the old lady showed that she sought, from Moosaa (alayhis salaam), to be with him in Paradise.
12. The generosity and mercy of Allaah upon her by commanding Moosaa (alayhis salaam) to give her that which she asked for, due to what He ta' aalaa knew of her seriousness in seeking that high station.
13. Upholding of the covenants leads to guidance on the path.
14. The eagerness of the companions to improve themselves and get closer to Allaah.
15. The good teaching of the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) being that He gave an example to drive the point into the hearts of the companions.
Sisters Upon Al-Istiqaamah
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