Journey of a stranger – Part 3

By Mila Filza

Part 1 | Part 2

Bismillah

Narrated Sahel Ibn Sa’ad, the Messenger of Allah sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said: ‘Two will not be rejected, Supplication when the Adhan (call of prayer) is being called, and at the time of the rain’. [Abu Dawud & ibn Majah]

Rain started to fall from the sky, within seconds it was pouring rain. But I was still standing there. My feet became so heavy that it was almost impossible for me to move from where I stood. I closed my eyes and repeated the dua I had memorized a long time ago; over and over again: ‘Oh Allah, may it be a beneficial rain cloud.’ And when I opened my eyes, the sun was shining and the rain was gone. As I looked up to gaze at one of the most beautiful mosques I had ever seen, I could not help but smile. I made my way through the crowd to enter this place I would soon call home.

As the days passed by, with every visit I began to develop a commitment to this place. This neighborhood had a certain charm hidden in every corner. I devoted all my free time to this remarkable place. One day, I bumped into a young woman. I told her I was sorry but she just stared at me without saying a word. I felt a bit uncomfortable but I just smiled and turned away. I thought to myself, “That was awkward”. I turned around and saw that the lady was still looking at me. I went to sit at a bench right across from the mosque and all of a sudden the young lady came and sat beside me! I felt even more uncomfortable and I wanted to walk away but the very moment I wanted to get up, she said “Wait!” So I turned to her and I looked at her with confusion and she started to tell me about this beautiful neighborhood. She told me that the district and the mosque were called Eyup. It was named after a close companion of our Prophet Mohammed sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam, Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari. Then she abruptly stood up and just walked away, without saying another word.

I then remembered who Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari was. When the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam reached Madinah after performing hijrah from Makkah, he was greeted with excitement by the Ansar. They gave him the most loving welcome. They sang Tala’ al-Badru ‘Alaynā while the prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam entered Madinah on his camel. The chiefs of the city stood along his path, everyone wanted and wished to have the honor of the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam staying at his house. Each one of them was entreating, “Stay with us, O Rasulullah”. Yet the camel would choose where our beloved sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam would stay. The camel continued walking while the people of Yathrib eagerly waited for the camel to stop. The camel eventually stopped in front of the house of Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari. [1]

I was so lost in my thoughts, trying to imagine the joy Abu Ayyub al Ansari must have felt, having the honor of our beloved prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam as his guest that I did not notice that the young lady was staring at me through the window of the mosque. Even when I caught her staring at me, she did not look away once. Her “wait”, what seemed like a sudden shout of help, still dazed me. I started to wonder what her story was.

[1] "Companions of The Prophet", Vol. 1, By: Abdul Wahid Hamid.



I'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic. Please post in the comments section below :)

Posted in: Amal Milaa Filza,Journey of a stranger,Personal Stories