When the villagers heard the echoes of لَااِلٰہَ اِلاَّاللہُ, they ran to their homes and returned with their swords, but they were amazed to see a large pot flying. When the king explained everything that had happened, all of the villagers accepted Islam.^[1] سُبْحٰنَ اللہ

O those who love Allah’s Messenger! Look at this amazing incident. The king spent his entire life in disbelief and shirk. He oppressed people, and his love for the material wealth of this world had no bounds. But when he submitted to his Lord for the first time, declared his belief, and abandoned his previous ways, Allah protected him straight away.

Now imagine the person who was born and immediately heard the name of his Creator. Someone who was born and heard the azan and لَااِلٰہَ اِلاَّاللہُ  being recited in his ear. When such a person says, لَبَّیْک اَللّٰہُمَّ لَبَّیْک – “O Allah! I am present. I have never committed shirk, and I am prepared to obey Your every command”; imagine the reward and blessings they will receive!

Abandoning a kingdom for the sake of Allah

The story of Sayyiduna Ibrāhīm bin Adham’s repentance is a beautiful one. He was the son of a wealthy man, and according to some narrations, he was also the prince of Balkh. One day, as he was walking outside his palace, he saw a person who wanted to enter. He asked, “Where is it you are looking to go? Why have you come here?”

“I am a traveller”, the person said, “and I wish to spend the night in the traveller’s lodge.”

Sayyiduna Ibrāhīm bin Adham explained, “This is not the traveller’s lodge. This is the prince’s palace.”