Based on a true story for the class, Rays of Faith, with Shaykh Waleed Basyouni.

The diagnosis failed to recognize the real addiction. The unbearable pain accompanied by a distraught sense of perception seemed to be never ending. The medicine, drips, and bedside care were doing nothing for him. Days went by and the only thing that managed to bring some solace and comfort were frequent visits from his son who understood his addiction. “Please, please, tell them” he pleaded to his son. “My heart is no longer with me, I cannot stay here Hudhaifa” said the old man in his feeble state.

The doctor’s refused to sympathize with Hudhaifa, his father had to remain on hospital premises for the next few weeks. Seeing his father in such a weak state like this hurt him, especially since he knew exactly why his father was suffering and what he was longing for. Having been residents of Taif for the last 20 years, his father had been accustomed to making the 2 hour commute to Makkah for maghrib salah everyday, and remaining in the haram for isha congregation. It had become a habit, a ritual, and without it he did not see his own existence.

He grew addicted to this custom and it was something that became a part of him. As some grow old and weak, and as their desires grow stronger for artificial happiness, this man had a weakness as well. It was the most beautiful weakness of all. It was a weakness that only a few individuals experience in a lifetime. It was a weakness that shattered his thoughts and made him numb to his surroundings. His heart was still in Makkah and it had been days since he had been there.

Finally, after much pleading, his son was able to sign a few papers in order to grant his father a release. With much joy and happiness, Hudhaifa drove his father to Makkah that very day. As they entered the premises of a most beautiful city, the real city that never sleeps, a special serenity filled the air.

Hudhaifas father and his connection with Allah’s house is reminiscent of the period of no revelation for our beloved Prophet, sallalahu ‘alayhi wasallam. Imam Ahmad recorded from Jundub that he said, “The Prophet became ill, so he did not stand for prayer for a night or two. Then a woman came and said, `O Muhammad! I think that your devil has finally left you.’” The pagan worshippers said, “Muhammad’s Lord has abandoned him.” So Allah azzaw’jal revealed Surah Duha: “By the forenoon. By the night when it darkens. Your Lord has neither forsaken you nor hates you.” In this, Allah azzawa’jal is swearing by the forenoon and the light that He has placed in it. “By the night when it darkens.” The word used is Saja, meaning, it settles, darkens and overcomes them. Then Allah swt says, “And indeed the Hereafter is better for you than the present.” Meaning, the abode of the Hereafter is better for you than this current abode. For this reason the Messenger of Allah (swt) used to be the most abstinent of the people concerning the worldly things, and he was the greatest of them in his disregard for worldly matters. This is well known by necessity from his biography. When the Prophet was given the choice at the end of his life between remaining in this life forever and then going to Paradise, or moving on to the company of Allah, he chose that which is with Allah over this lowly world.

As the old man lead his son in salah that very memorable day in Makkah when his heart was filled with hope and his eyes with tears, he was finally at ease. He found a place to offer salah inside the haram and recited surah duha in his first rakah. He continued to read surah duha and he could barely go on when he came to that fourth ayah, “And the afterlife is better for you than this life”. His recitation was overcome with emotion and the happiness he felt from being in the haram once again.

Hudhaifas father died in sujood within the same rakah, and indeed, this is a most beautiful ending to such a beautiful weakness. May Allah swt grant us the likes of him and the likes of his son once again, and may Allah swt continue to preserve us and grant us similar conviction in our faith and an unwavering love for the hereafter. Allahuma Ameen.

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