Ilm Fruits
500 Years of Worship
November 1, 2007 on 1:24 pm | In Islam, Salaah, Tazkiyyah| By Abd al-Ahad
By Shaikh Abul Laith Samarkandi
Angel Jibreel (عليه السلام) told Rasulullah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) the following incident:
A man in the past worshipped Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) continuously for 500 years. He was granted a shelter on top of a mountain that was surrounded by salty water. However, Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) caused a stream of sweet water to flow through the mountain for that individual. The man would drink from this water and use it to make ablution. Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) also raised a pomegranate tree from which the man would eat one fruit every day.
One day, this person supplicated to Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) that, "Oh Allah (سبحانه وتعالى), bring my death while I am in the state of prostration." Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) accepted this dua of his. Whenever Jibreel (عليه السلام) came down to the Earth, he found this man prostrating to Allah (سبحانه وتعالى). Jibreel (عليه السلام) said that on the day of Judgement, Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) will tell the angels to take this individual to Paradise through His mercy. However, this man will insist that he should enter paradise through the good deeds that he had performed.
Then, Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) will tell the angels to compare his good deeds with the blessings that were given to him in the world. It will be seen that 500 years of his worship does not even equal to the gift of eye sight that was given to him by Allah (سبحانه وتعالى). The angels will be asked to take him toward the hell fire. Then the man will plead, "Oh Allah (سبحانه وتعالى)! Enter me into Paradise only through Your mercy." At that point, the following discussion will take place between Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) and that man.
Allah (سبحانه وتعالى): Oh my servant, who created you?
The worshipper: Oh Allah (سبحانه وتعالى), You have created me.
Allah (سبحانه وتعالى): Were you created because of the good deeds you have done or because of My mercy?
The worshipper: Because of Your mercy.
Allah (سبحانه وتعالى): Who granted you the ability to worship for 500 years?
The worshipper: Oh the Almighty! You have granted me that ability.
Allah (سبحانه وتعالى): Who placed you on the mountain surrounded by the ocean? Who caused a stream of sweet water to flow in between the salty water? Who caused a pomegranate tree to grow for you? Who granted you death while in the state of prostration?
The worshipper: Oh the Sustainer of the Worlds! You have done all of these.
Then Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) will say, "All these have happened due to My mercy and you too will enter Paradise only through My Mercy."
We can never thank Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) for the blessings that He has given us. Let us use these blessings to recognize Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) before our death.
Translation: My Lord! Forgive and have mercy, for You are the best of those who show mercy! [Surah Al-Mu'minoon, verse 118]
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Any idea which book of hadeeth this hadeeth is recorded in?
Comment by Ilm Seeker — November 1, 2007 #
lol give credit where credit is due you guys.
ilm seeker: from what i’ve seen, this is not in any authentic book of hadith. however, there are a number of other traditions which would support the basic concepts listed in this hadith, eg:
- people from previous Ummahs did have longer life spans than us (see hadith on laylatul Qadr)
- no one will enter Jannah except by the mercy of Allah [swt]; not even the Prophet (PBUH)
- the mercies that Allah [swt] has bestowed us with are countless (see Surah ar-Rahman)
Comment by Bruce — November 1, 2007 #
lol @ Bruce. I’m not disputing any of those–in fact, that’s why we posted it :) doesn’t need to be 100% authentic if it’s inciting goodness…
But yo, we’re big on sources here :)
Comment by Ilm Seeker — November 2, 2007 #
Assalam alaikum, I deeply touched to read the abovearticle “500 yrs.Workship”. I too have abelieve no one can do good deeds without the mercy of Allah SWT. The mercies of Lord Creator of this world cannot be balanced with good deeds, if someone do good deeds and worship Allah he/she should pray for the acceptance of Ibbadat done with the mercies of Lord, never never be proud on good deeds. Secondly never devalue anyone , who knows that person is in good books of Allah.
Always seek His Mercy by Zikar and feel Allah is always with you, if u do wrong wipe it with good deeds. YAH GHAFARUZ ZANOOB YA SATTARUL OYOOB YA ALLAMUL OYOOB.
Comment by Farhat Khan Gillani — November 12, 2007 #
Dear Brothers,
The Article “500 years of Worship” is written as a Hadith of Prophet (sas. It should have a reference. If there is none available then it means these are not the word of Jibreel, not the word of our Prophet but presented as a Hadith.
Meaning of one of the Hadith of Prophet (sas) is who so ever says the Prophet said so and so but infact it is not the saying of Prophet then as per Prophet (sas) such a person will make his place in Hellfire.
Therefore, becare full in propagating the True message of Islam.
Fasihuddin.
Comment by Fasihuddin — November 12, 2007 #