Once a respectable man came to Balkh in Iran with his wife and daughters. Soon after their arrival, the man fell ill and died after some days, leaving his wife alone as a widow and family. After his death, his family became poor and suffered from many difficulties. So fearing the mockery of enemies, his wife fled Balkh with her daughters to another town. When they arrived there, the weather was freezing. The mother left her daughters in the mosque and went out for food. When she searched for food, she found two groups of people.
Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) said. “The one who strives on behalf of a widow and the needy is like a warrior in the path of Allah.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
Two groups of People:
One group was gathered around a Muslim Sheikh. And another group was around a Zoroastrian (Majusi) who was the security officer of the city.
Firstly she went to the first group and described her whole situation in front of the sheik. I am a widow,and my daughters are alone, and there is no one to help us, and we have nothing to eat. Also, I left my daughters in the local mosque. After hearing her whole story, the sheik asked her that shows me had any proof that you are from a respectable family. She said I am new here and therefore do not know anyone to testify for me. A Widow departed from him brokenhearted.
She then went to the Zoroastrian and told her situation to him. The woman told him about her noble background and her orphaned daughters who were, waiting for her return in the mosque. She also told him how the Sheikh had treated her. The Zoroastrian stood up, sent some women folk to bring her daughters, and took all of them to his house. There he treated them with honor and generosity. He fed them fine food and clothed them in rich garments.
Dream of Sheikh:
The Sheikh saw the Day of Judgment in a dream that night, and the banners were unfurled around the Prophet (PBUH). Ahead of him was a green palace made of emeralds, its balconies of pearls and rubies and domes of pearls and corals.
He then asked the Prophet (PBUH), “Messenger of Allah, whose palace is this?”
The Prophet (PBUH) answered. “This palace is For a Muslim.”
The Sheikh answered, “I am a Muslim!”
The Prophet (PBUH) said, “Prove to me that you are a Muslim?”
At that, the Sheikh was dumbstruck. The Prophet (Pbuh) then said that you asked a woman to bring any proof of her respectability. and therefore, my question to you is can you produce proof that you are a Muslim?” At this point, the Sheikh felt ashamed about his conduct with the woman.
The Zoroastrian Reward And A Widow:
In the morning, he immediately went out in search of a woman. He heard that she was staying with the Zoroastrian and so-called for him. When the Zoroastrians arrived, the Sheikh requested that a Widow and her daughters be sent to him. The Zoroastrians replied, “Under no circumstance! I received great blessings from her.” The Sheikh said I will give you a thousand dinars and bring them to me.” He said, “Impossible!
He told them that my family and I had accepted Islam last night, and I dreamed something similar to what you dream. He told him that prophet (PBUH) asked him in the dream that noblewomen and her daughters were with him. I replied yes, they are with me then the prophet (PBUH) told me, this palace is for you and your family. At that, the Sheikh remained sorrowful for the missed opportunity of earning a high position in Paradise due to his misconduct with a widowed woman and her daughters.
May Allah guide us to what is right, for He is Generous, the Most Kind, the Most Merciful!
