Beautiful Miracles of the Final Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم
The goat meat that sufficed 130
Sayyid Imran Akhtar Attari al-Madani
The miracles of our Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم are not only a means of our strengthening faith, but also a source of the highest calibre of moral teachings. Here is a beautiful miracle of his related to moral and character development.
The Companion ꜤAbd al-Raḥmān b. Abū Bakr رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهُمَا reports:
A hundred and thirty of us Companions were on a journey with the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. He asked, “Do any of you have food?” One Companion had a ṣāꜤ[1] of wheat flour, which was then kneaded into dough. After a while, a tall disbeliever passed by, herding sheep. The Merciful Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم asked, “Will you sell or gift a goat to us?” The disbeliever said, “I will only sell it.”
The Greatest Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم purchased a goat. After it was slaughtered, he ordered for the liver to be cooked. By Allah! Every single one of us one hundred and thirty men received a share of this liver. The Merciful Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم gave this to those who were present and kept a share for those who were absent. The meat was placed in two vessels and we all ate to our fill. Yet, there was still food left over. I then loaded the vessels onto my camel.[2]
This is certainly a wondrous miracle of our Greatest Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. One hundred and thirty people received a share from a goat’s liver. One ṣāꜤ of flour and the meat of one goat were enough to satisfy them all. There are several lessons to learn from this great miracle:
* Taking practical measures, precautions, and utilising means alongside trusting in Allah Almighty does not oppose the concept of tawakkul.
* Arranging food for people in times of need is a noble act and a practice of the Holy Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم.
* While distributing, one should divide equally without distinguishing between oneself and others, especially when everybody’s needs are the same.
* While distributing something, the share of the person who is among the participants but temporarily out of sight or absent at the time of distribution, should be set aside for him.
* Business with non-Muslims is permissible, except in cases where there is specific prohibition as per Islamic law.
* A leader is not defined merely by issuing orders. A true and great leader is recognised by their goodwill towards others, love and compassion for them, and concern for their needs.
* Blessings are not a matter of quantity; rather, they stem from a virtuous connection.
* Unity is also a source of blessings.
* In times of distress, we should remain calm and united.
* During travel, one should treat fellow travellers with hospitality.
* If food is leftover, saving it for later instead of wasting it is not greed nor does it oppose tawakkul. In fact, it is an expression of appreciation for the blessing of sustenance.
Comments