STORY: The Effect of supplication by a Mother

Many centuries ago, a woman married a man called Ismail, who, having studied under the tutelage of Imam Malik, became a venerable scholar in his own right. Of the fruits of their blessed marriage was the birth of a son, whom they named Muhammad. Shortly afterwards, however, Ismail died, leaving behind a great deal of wealth for his wife and young son.The mother and then took up the full responsibility of giving her son a good Islamic upbringing.

She might have had ideas about her son becoming a noble scholar but certainly there was a barrier preventing that from happening. The boy was blind. These days it is perhaps not so impossible for someone who is blind to pursue a higher education. Yet in those days in order to become scholar one had to travel from country to country and from Sheikh to Sheikh, something that was difficult for a blind person. Yet the mother did not lose hope: with sincerity and a good intention, she constantly invoked Allah for help. 

And then one night, while she was sleeping, she saw the Prophet Ibrahim (AS) in a dream. He said to her, "Indeed, because of your many supplications, Allah has returned your son's sight back to him."

The woman woke up with a start, went to her son, and saw that the dream had come true. How perfect Allah is! Indeed, He is the One who answers the supplications of those who are in need.

After Allah blessed her son, Muhammad bin Ismail, with the ability to see again, the mother and set him on a course of studying and learning. Later in his life, that boy grew up to be the compiler of a book that is the second most authentic book in the world – the most authentic being the Book of Allah. The name of that book is Sahih Bukhari. Yes its author's full name is Muhammad bin Ismail Al Bukhari, who Allah blessed with knowledge, a brilliant mind and a retentive memory.

Note from Muslim Footsteps: mothers, your supplications are more powerful than you can imagine. The question is, when you supplicate for your child, what is your goal and intention?

(Excerpt from Gems and Jewels: Wise Sayings, Interesting Events and Moral Lessons from Islamic History, compiled by Abdul Malik Mujahid)