One Story One Miracle
Blessed Shirt
Sayyid Imran Attari Madani
“Grandad! Normally, people sit and drink ordinary water, and this is the sunnah. So, why do we drink this water standing?” Uncle Ahmad and Aunt Umm Fatima had returned just last week after performing umrah. Today, they came with dates from Madinah and Zamzam water, along with some other gifts for their nephews. When Grandad made the children drink Zamzam water, Umm Habiba recited اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ رَبِّ الْعٰلَمِیْن after drinking and instantly asked this question.
Grandad smiled, “The reason for standing and drinking Zamzam water is something I will explain later. First, if anyone knows about the story of the Zamzam spring, please say!”
“Yes Grandad, I know it”, Suhayb said.
By Allah's command, Prophet Ibrāhīm عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام left his son Prophet IsmāꜤīl عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام and his mother Lady Hājar رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ عَنْهَا near the Kaaba. At that time, neither were any people there, nor was there a source of water. When the water they had ran out, Prophet IsmāꜤīl’s throat became dry due to thirst. Lady Hājar then ran between Safa and Marwah seven times, hoping to find someone who could provide water. Finally, by the miraculous touch of an angel's wing[1] or due to the blessed foot of Prophet IsmāꜤīl, a spring emerged in that dry land, and its name is Zamzam.[2]
“Well done, son!”, Grandad exclaimed, “You have explained it correctly, and it seems like this is the blessing of Madani Channel which you watch with great interest.”
Suhayb added, “Yes, Grandad! I heard it on Madani Channel.”
Grandad continued:
So, the reply to Umm Habiba’s question is, the reason why Zamzam water is drunk standing is because it is ascribed to Prophet IsmāꜤīl, and it is considered honourable due to originating from his blessed foot.[3] Our beloved Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم drank Zamzam water standing,[4] making this action a sunnah and an act of reward for us. Regarding this blessed water, there is a hadith, “Zamzam water is a cure for every illness.”[5]
“Wow! Grandad, this water is like medicine; whoever drinks it will be cured”, exclaimed Khubayb, who had been silent since drinking Zamzam water, but couldn't contain his excitement any longer.
“Yes, son! That's true. Let me tell you about another account regarding a water that can heal, which is indeed a miracle of our beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم.”
Suhaib beamed, “Grandad, now we’re talking!”
Grandad explained:
The father of Jābir was Sinān bin Ṭalq رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ. He came to the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم and became Muslim. He then said: “O Messenger of Allah, please grant me a part of your shirt.” The Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم accepted his request and gave a piece of his shirt to him. Jābir رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ told his own son of how the piece of this blessed shirt was still with them. They would place it in water and have the ill drink the water with the intention of cure.[6]
Umm Habiba asked, “Grandad, why did he request a piece of the Prophet’s shirt?”
Grandad smiled:
The Companions of the Prophet had immense love for him. They liked to preserve and keep the relics of the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم to gain blessings and remember him, just as Lady Asmāˈ رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ عَنْهَا had a thobe. She once took it out and said, “This is the blessed thobe worn by the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. We wash it and give the water to the sick for them to drink so that they become well.”[7] Similarly, Sinān b. Ṭalq رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ had asked for a piece of the shirt out of love for the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. This is proven by the fact that at the time of requesting it, he mentioned that he would continue to gain comfort from it.[8]
Khubayb exclaimed, “سُـبْحٰـنَ الـلّٰــه! How amazing is the rank of our Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم! What amazing miracles he performed!”
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