MIRACLE: His Blessing in the milk

Hadrat Abu Huraira (Rady Allahu ‘Anh) relates: “By Allah, except whom there is no God, during thme days of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) I used to press my stomach against the ground due to extreme hunger, or I used to tie a stone over it. One day I was sitting by the side of a public thoroughfare when the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) passed by me. On seeing me he smiled and recognized from my face my condition (that I was hungry). He called “Abahir” (meaning Abu Huraira) and I responded: ‘I am here, O Messenger of Allah’. He said: ‘Come along with me’ and he walked on; I followed him.

On reaching home he sought permission of the inmates, and entered, and also permitted me to enter in the house. He found a cup full of milk, and asked the inmates ‘From where has this milk come? They said: ‘It is a present for you from some gentleman or lady.’ He called me ‘Abahir’ and I responded: ‘I am here, O Messenger of Allah’. He said: Go and call my Suffa Companions.’ These companions were the guests of the Muslims, who had no house, no property, no friends or relatives with whom they could live. As such they were guests of all Muslims. Whenever the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) received something as charity he used to send it to them and would not retain anything out if it for himself (as charity was forbidden for him and his family). However, whenever he received something as a gift he would send for them and shared it with them.

But on this occasion I did not like his invitation to them, and thought: ‘How would this milk suffice so many? I deserve this more than others, as by drinking it I might gain some energy. When these companions of the Suffa would come, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) will ask me to serve the milk to them. When they start drinking I do not think that anything would be left for me out of this milk. But what could I have done, I could not dare avoid the orders of Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) and His Messenger (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam).

Accordingly I went out and called them; they came and solicited permission to come in, which was granted and they came in and took their seats. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) called me ‘Abahir’ and I replied: ‘I am here, O Messenger of Allah.’ He said: ‘Take hold of the cup of milk and give it to them.’ I took the cup and passed it to one man who would drink and when he felt satisfied, he would return it to me, and I would give it to the next person who likewise drank the milk to his fill. I went on doing this till the cup reached the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam). By that time all had drunk the milk to their satisfaction.

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) took the cup in his hand, looked towards me, smiled and said: ‘Abahir?’ I said ‘I am here, O Messenger of Allah.’ He said, “Now only two persons, myself and you are left!” I said: “Of course, O Messenger of Allah, you are right.” Then he said: “Sit and drink.” I sat down and started drinking the milk. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) said: “Take more.” I took a bit more and he continued saying; ‘Drink a little more’, till I said: By Allah! Who has commissioned you with the truth, now I have no more room in my stomach.’ He said: ‘Then let me have it.’ So I passed on the cup to him. He thanked Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) and with the name of Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) drank the milk which was left in the cup. (Bukhari)