13/06/2024
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Hazrat Sa’sa’a bin Najiyah (RA) came to the door of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) to recite the Kalima and become a Muslim. After accepting Islam, he approached the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and said, "O Messenger of Allah, I have a question." The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Ask." He then inquired, "O Messenger of Allah, will Allah reward us for the good deeds we did during the age of ignorance?" The Prophet (PBUH) replied, "Tell me, what good deeds did you do?"
Sa’sa’a (RA) narrated, "O Messenger of Allah, two of my camels went missing. I set out on my third camel to find them. After a long search, I found them near an old settlement beyond the jungle. An old man was watching over them. I told him those camels belonged to me. He agreed, saying they had wandered there while grazing. While we were talking, he brought some water and dates for me. As I was drinking the water and eating the dates, I heard a child crying. The old man asked if it was a boy or a girl. I asked what he would do if it were a girl. He said if it was a boy, he would bring honor to the tribe, but if it was a girl, he would bury her alive because he could not bear the shame or the burden of a daughter.
"O Messenger of Allah, hearing this, my heart softened. I asked him to check whether it was a boy or a girl. When he found out it was a girl, I asked if he would really bury her. He said yes. I then offered to take the girl instead, in exchange for my two camels. He refused, saying he would also take the camel I had ridden on. I agreed and asked him to send someone with me to my home so I could give the camel back. O Messenger of Allah, I gave three camels and took the girl. I handed her over to my maid to nurse her. That girl played with my beard and stayed close to me.
"O Messenger of Allah, I then developed a taste for doing good deeds. I started looking for tribes that buried their daughters alive. Whenever I found one, I offered three camels in exchange for the girl. O Messenger of Allah, I saved 360 girls and raised them in my household. Please tell me, will my Lord reward me for this?"
The Prophet's (PBUH) expression changed, and tears fell from his blessed beard. He embraced Sa’sa’a (RA), kissed his forehead, and said, "You have already received your reward. Allah has granted you the gift of faith. This is your worldly reward, and your Prophet (PBUH) promises you that on the Day of Judgment, Allah will open His treasures for you."
Imam Tabarani has recorded this Hadith in Tabarani.
Now you know why I have devoted my life to bringing children back to health, those suffering from preventable deaths due to acute malnutrition.
