constriction; why sleep this much therein? Remain awake for a while today, earn good deeds and sleep comfortably in the grave. Nobody shall wake you there, until the Day of Judgement. Act here, rest there.’ She رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْهَا would then stand and busy herself with performing worship, and spent her entire lifetime in this manner.

(‘Uyoon-ul-Hikayat, p. 103)

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب                                  صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

Why fruit fell from a tree

Sayyidah Raabi’ah Basriyyah رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْهَا states: ‘One night, I recited some Tasbih (litanies involving praising and glorifying Allah Almighty) at the time of Suhoor, and fell asleep thereafter. In a dream, i proceeded to see a lush tree of such height and beauty, which cannot be explained. There were three types of fruit on this tree, each of which I had never seen before. Some were white, some red and others yellow. They shone like the sun and the moon.’ She رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْهَا further goes on to explain: ‘I developed a great liking for this tree. ‘Whose is this?’, I asked, and it was explained to me, ‘This is yours, as reward for the Tasbih you just recited.’

She رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْهَا also added to this by stating: ‘I began to walk around the tree, and saw golden fruit upon the floor. I said, ‘How good would it have been, if this fruit was also upon the tree with the others.’ I received this response, ‘They were once attached to the tree. As you recited Tasbih, you began to consider whether the kneaded dough (present in her home) had become yeast or not. At that time, this golden fruit fell from the tree.’ (Qoot-ul-Quloob, vol. 1, p. 183)

O devotees of the Messenger! We are in need of placing this incident in front of us, analysing and reflecting upon it deeply, and then taking a look at ourselves. Sayyidah Raabi’ah Basriyyah رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْهَا was busy in reciting Tasbih. During this, when her momentary pause to simply think about the kneaded dough had this much effect, our hours and