🌙 A Story of Sabr: The Old Olive Tree In a small village nestled among dusty hills, there lived an old man named Abdul Hakeem. He owned a single olive tree that his father and grandfather had tended before him. This tree was no ordinary tree — it was more than 100 years old, its roots gripping the earth firmly, its branches wide and giving shade to passersby. Every year, the olives from this tree would be pressed into oil, enough to feed Abdul Hakeem’s family and share with his poor neighbours. But one year, a harsh drought struck. The land cracked, the well dried up, and the leaves on the olive tree began to wither. His neighbours said, “Cut it down, old man. Sell the wood. It’s over.” But Abdul Hakeem remembered the words of Allah: “O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.”(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:153) So he refused to give up. Every day, he carried buckets of water from a distant spring. He whispered du‘as under the shade of his dying tree. He missed meals so his grandchildren could eat, yet never complained. One day, when his arms were tired and his back ached, his grandson asked him, “Why do you not give up, grandfather?” Abdul Hakeem smiled through his wrinkles and replied, “Because our test is to trust Allah when nothing makes sense, and our reward is with Him alone.” That year, the rain returned. The olive tree, thought dead, burst with new leaves. Its fruit that season was more than any year before. Abdul Hakeem pressed the oil, filled many jars, and distributed them to the poor — just as his father and grandfather had done. Patience didn’t just save a tree; it revived a legacy of trust in Allah’s promise. 🌿 Reflection Questions: 1️⃣ When was the last time you faced hardship and chose patience over giving up?2️⃣ What is one thing you are struggling with right now that requires sabr?3️⃣ How can you remind yourself that Allah is always with the patient?4️⃣ Have you shared a story of sabr with your children or friends to inspire them? ✨ May Allah grant us all the strength to stand firm like the old olive tree, rooted in patience and trust in His mercy. Ameen.
The weeping tree
The Prophet ﷺ said: “I know a stone in Makkah that would give me salaam before Prophethood.” Imagine that! A stone recognising the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and saying “As-salāmu ‘alayka Yā RasūlAllah!” How often do we say it? A Camel Complained] One day, a camel was seen behaving wildly, charging around. The Prophet ﷺ went to it — approached it calmly, and placed his hand on it. The camel wept, calmed down, and rested its head at his feet. And then he ﷺ said, “This camel is complaining that its owner overburdens it and doesn’t feed it properly.” Even the animals knew he was Raḥmatullil-‘Ālamīn — a mercy to all the worlds. Poisoned Meat Spoke At Khaybar, the Prophet ﷺ was given meat laced with poison. Just as he was about to eat it — the meat spoke! “Do not eat me, O Messenger of Allah! I have been poisoned.” Think about that.Meat that had been slaughtered, cooked, roasted, still recognised the Prophet ﷺ… and it spoke to protect him. SECTION 5 – Even the Mountains Rejoiced When the Prophet ﷺ stood on Mount Thabir with Abu Bakr and Umar رضي الله عنهما, the mountain began to shake with joy. The Prophet ﷺ calmed it and said: “Be still, O Thabir. For upon you stands a Prophet, a Siddīq, and a martyr.” Even rocks danced out of love.And we struggle to even wake up for Fajr. My brothers and sisters… If trees cried for him…If stones gave him salaam…If meat warned him…If mountains shook with happiness… Then what excuse do we have? How distant have our hearts become from the one who cried for us at night…The one who will plead for us on the Day of Judgement…The one who said, “My Ummah… My Ummah…” Here’s what we need to do: