THINKING OF GOD IN MOMENTS OF CRISIS

THINKING OF GOD IN MOMENTS OF CRISIS

1998 9-10 September-October 4 THINKING OF GOD IN MOMENTS OF CRISIS (229) ‘Ali, the son of Abu Talib, related how Fatima, his wife and also daughter of the Prophet had to do all the housework herself. Her hands used to become blistered from working a millstone, her clothes became dirty from sweeping the floor, and having to bring water from outside in a large leather bag had left a mark on her neck. On one occasion when the Prophet had influx of servants, ‘Ali suggested to Fatima that she go and request her father to give her one of them to help her in her work. She duly went to see him, but there were many people gathered at his house, and she retumed home, without having been able to meet him. The next day the Prophet came to the house of Ali and Fatima and asked what it was she had wanted to discuss with him, but Fatima remained silent. Then ‘Ali told the Prophet the whole story. The Prophet did not, however, accede to their request for a servant. “Fear God,” he said, “and fulfil your duty to the Lord. Continue to do your housework and, when you go to bed at night, glorify God 33 times, praise him the same number of times and exalt him 34 times. That makes 100 times altogether. That will do you more good than a servant will.”

(AI- Targheeb wa al- Tarheeb)