The lap of a mother is admitted to be the best field of instruction.mothers imbued with the religious spirit are more likely to bring up children who will have similar aptitudes. Alas! our children are brought up in surroundings that draw them away from Islam or at least make them indifferent to the duties they owe therein: the results are obvious.
01 Hadhrath Fatima (Radhiyallaho Anha) Tasbih
Hadrath Ali (Radhiyallaho Anho) once said to one of his pupils:
"Shall i tell u the story of Hadhrath Fatima (R.A) the dearest and the most loved daughter of the prophet (Sallallaho Alaihi Wasallam)? "
When the people replied in the affirmative, he said:
"Hadhrath Fatima (Radhiyallaho Anha) used to grind the grain her self, which caused corn on her hands.
She carried water for the house in a leather bag, which left a mark on her breast.She cleaned the house herself, which made her clothes dirty. Once some war captives were brought to Madinah. I said to her, 'go to the Prophet (SAW)and request him for an assistant to help you in your house works.' She went to him, but found many people round him. As she was very modest, she could not be bold enough to request the Prophet (SAW)in the presence of the people. Next day the Prophet (SAW) came to our house and said, "Fatimah! what made you to come to me yesterday?" she felt shy and kept quiet. I said , "O prophet of Allah! Fatimah has developed calluses on both her hands and breast, on account of griding and carrying water. she is constantly busy in cleaning the house and in other domestic jobs, causing her clothes to remain dirty. I informed her about the captives and advised her to go to you and make a request for a servant.' It has olso been reported that Hadhrath Fatima (Radhiyallaho Anha) made a request, 'I and Ali own only one bedding and that also is a skin of a goat. we use it in the morning to pull the feed of camel.' the prophet (SAW) said, "Fathima! be patient. The prophet Moses (AS) and his wife owned only one bedding, which was the cloak of Moses, Fear Allah and attend to u r domestic jobs. When you go to bed, recite,
Subhanallah 33 times, Al hamdulillah 33 times, Allahu Akbar 34 times.
You will find this more helpful than an assistant.' Hadhrath Fatima (Radhiyallaho Anha) remarked, I am happy with what Allah and his Prophet (SAW) would be pleased with me. "
Look! this is the life of the Prophet's Dear daughter. In moderately rich families of our times, the ladies think it below their dignity to attend domestic work. they need assistant in each and every thing, even in there bathroom! what a difference!
In this Haddith, the prescribed Zikr is before sleep. In other Ahadith, the Prophet (SAW)is reported to have advised Hadhrath Fatima (Radhiyallaho Anha) to recite after every Salah to recite Subhanallah 33 times, Al Hamdulillah 33 times, Allahuakbar 33 times and Lahilaha illalaho wahdaho lasharikalahu lahul mulku walahul hamdu wahuwa ala kulli shai in Qadir once.
لا الهَ اِلَّا اللّهُ وَحْدَهُ لا شَرِيْكَ لَهْ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَ لَهُ الْحَمْدُوَهُوَ عَلى كُلِّ شَئ ٍ قَدِيْرٌ
02 Hadrath Aisha (Radhiyallahu Anha's) Spending in the path of Allah
Once Aisha (R.A) received a gift of two bags containing one lakh (100,000) Dir hams. she started distributing these among the poor. till by the evening not a single Dir ham left with her. she was fasting that day. her maid servant brought her a loaf of bread and a little olive oil for iftar, and remarked,
"I wish we had kept one Dir ham for ourselves to get some meat for Iftaar."
Aisha said:
"Do not be sorry now, If you had told me at that time i would have perhaps spared one Dirham."
Gift of this nature were often received by Hadrath Aisha (R.A) from Amir Muawiah, Hadhrath Abdullah Bin Zubair (Raliyallahu Anhuma) and others, for that was the time to ease and plenty for the Muslims as territory fell into their hands. in spite of this abundance, Hadrath Aisha (R.A) led a life of abstention.
Look ! she distributes 100.000 Dirhams to the poor, but she does not remember to get some meat for her own iftar. in our own atmosphere today, such stories seem to be impossible but, to the people who have understood the sahabah's frame of mind, hundreds of such incidents are quiet credible. there are many stories of this nature reported about Aisha (R.A). once she was fasting and had nothing for iftaar except one piece of bread. A poor man came and begged for some food, she asked her maid to give him that piece of bread. the maid said:
"If i give him the piece of bread, there will be nothing left for your Iftar".
she said "never mind, let him have the piece"
Once she killed a snake she saw a vision in her dream saying: "Aisha (R.A) you killed a Muslim".
she replied: "How could a Muslim come into the house of the prophet's widow?"
The vision rejoined: "But he had come in purdah (disguise)."
she abruptly got up from her sleep and at once spent 12 000 Dirhams in sadaqah. which was the blood money fixed for a Muslim killed by mistake. Hadhrat Urwah (R.A) says:
"I once saw Hadhrat Aisha (R.A) spending 70 000 dirhams in charity while herself was wearing a dress with patches."
