One Account, One Miracle
Heavenly Animals
Maulana Arshad Aslam Attari Madani
“Sohaib has been gone since the morning, and now it’s the afternoon,” said Grandfather. “Does anyone know where he is? I have not seen him since breakfast.” Khubayb said, “I don’t think he will return home today.”
“Why is that?” asked Grandfather.
“Uncle Ashraf has bought a baby goat,” explained Umm Habibah. “Awais and Sohaib are taking care of it. Sometimes they feed it grass and sometimes they give it water. It seems like they are having a lot of fun.”
As Umm Habibah saw Sohaib, she cried out, “Look, Sohaib has arrived. Come, we were just talking about you.” When she saw his clothes, she pulled a face and said, “Wow! Look at how dirty your clothes are.”
“Perhaps both of them also eat grass with the goat,” Grandfather said jokingly. Everybody started laughing after hearing this.
“I’ll come back after I change my clothes,” said Sohaib. “These are dirty. Then we will see the goat.” Whilst dusting the dirt off Sohaib’s clothes, Grandfather remarked, “You can go, but first, tell me, do you know anything about goats?” Shaking his head, Sohaib said, “No Grandfather.” “Then we will learn a few things about goats first and make sure you remember well what you learn.” “Yes, that’s fine,” replied Sohaib.
Grandfather said,
1. Goats are very noble animals. Cows, bulls, and camels kick and headbutt things. But goats do not cause any harm.
2. Many Prophets of Allah raised goats.
3. Goat’s milk is very beneficial.
4. Drinking goat’s milk increases your appetite.
5. Goat’s meat is also very beneficial. This is why it is said, goat’s meat is the food of the sick.
6. The Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم ate goat’s meat and drank goat’s milk. He صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, ‘Respect goats. Dust the dirt from it because it is a heavenly animal.’[1]
After hearing this, Sohaib said, “Okay, I am leaving now.” Umm Habibah stopped him and said, “Wait.”
“What is it now?” Asked Sohaib. Umm Habibah looked at Grandfather and said, “Grandfather, you said you would tell us about the miracle of the goat.” Grandfather joked, “Let Sohaib go and then I’ll tell you.” Sohaib at once said, “No, I will listen to the miracle and then go.”
“Okay, we were just joking. Now listen! The beloved Companion of our Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, Sayyiduna Jabir رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ once wished to invite the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم for a meal. He went home and asked his wife, ‘Do we have anything to prepare the meal?’ His wife replied, ‘We have a goat.’ So, he slaughtered the goat, and a curry was made from it. He then took the food and went to the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم.
The Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would take great care of his Companions. Therefore, when the food arrived, he صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said to Sayyiduna Jabir رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ, ‘Call my Companions.’ After some time, the Companions arrived. The Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم turned to Sayyiduna Jabir رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ, ‘Now send a few of them to me at a time.’ When the Companions came to dine, the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم told them ‘not to break the bones.’ The Companions would come, eat, and leave. Once they had all eaten, he ordered for all the bones to be placed in one pot. The Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم then placed his hand over the bones and recited something. Sayyiduna Jabir رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ was standing there but could not hear what he said.”
Grandfather suddenly stopped speaking. The three children said at once, “What happened next, Grandfather?” He replied, “The bones turned into a living goat at once! The goat then shook its head and moved its ears. Then the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said to Sayyiduna Jabir رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ, ‘Take your goat.’”
“Wow! Amazing,” exclaimed Sohaib. “Everyone ate to their heart’s content and the goat was given life again. How great and distinguished is our Prophet.” Umm Habibah said, “Where did the goat go?”
Grandfather continued, “Sayyiduna Jabir took the goat home. When his wife saw the goat, she said in a state of surprise, ‘Where has this come from?’ Sayyiduna Jabir replied, ‘This is the same goat that we slaughtered. The Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم made Du’a and Allah Almighty brought it back to life for us.’”[2]
After the story of the miracle ended, Sohaib said, “I am going and will tell my friends all about this.” As he was leaving, Grandfather said, “Sayyiduna Jaabir prepared a meal on another occasion too.” “Which meal?” Asked Sohaib. Grandfather laughed and said, “I will tell you about that miracle some other time.” Sohaib said, “For sure?” “For sure,” replied Grandfather.
Comments