Dear Islamic brothers! In today’s weekly Sunnah-inspiring Ijtima’, we will listen to the parables of the blessed lives of an extremely honourable and noble Nabi Sayyiduna Zakariyya عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام, his beloved son Sayyiduna Yahyaعَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام, and the beloved mother of Sayyiduna ‘Isa عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام, the famous Waliyah, Sayyidatuna Maryam رَضِیَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا. Let us, first of all, listen to a faith enlightening parable of Sayyiduna Zakariyya’s life.

Incomparable caution

Sayyiduna Zakariyya عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام preferred to work for his livelihood. He عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام would get paid for constructing walls. In exchange, he عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام would get one Roti (bread) as remuneration. Once, few people came in his blessed court. He عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام was busy eating at that time and did not invite them to eat. Upon this, they became extremely astonished as they thought that he عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام would also invite them to eat. However, when he عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام did not invite them, then out of astonishment, they asked him the reason for it. He عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام replied, ‘I work for some people on wages. In exchange for my work, they give me one Roti as my remuneration so that I can gain energy to do that work. Had I fed you a bit from my share of roti, then it definitely would not have been sufficient for you and neither would have I gained the energy I require. However, it would have brought inefficiency in my work and I would not have been able to perform my work properly. That’s why I did not invite you for the meal.’ (Ihya-ul-‘Uloom, vol. 5, pp. 246; summarised)

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب           صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

Dear Islamic brothers! Had the beloved Nabi of Allah Almighty, Sayyiduna Zakariyya عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام, given his Roti as hospitality to them, it would have been an act of generosity from his side which is a Nafl [optional] act. Whereas, to accomplish his work perfectly and wholeheartedly, as a labourer, was obligatory for him. The reason because the work he was doing required physical labour, hence, he عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام considered it necessary to consume the Roti himself. From this, we also attain the Madani pearl that during the hours of employment, we should avoid every such action that harms the work of the employer.