Passing over the Ephemera of the World

ALI, the fourth Caliph was married to Fatima, who was a daughter of the Prophet Muhammad. He relates how his wife 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 had an 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 returned home, without meeting her father.

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 fulfill 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. This makes mentioning and extolling God’s name 100 times altogether. That will do more good than a servant will”.

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The hardships and afflictions of this world are bound to perish, but the pain and suffering of the Hereafter shall remain forever. A true believer, therefore, should strive his utmost to become worthy of the blessings of the Hereafter.

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This was Prophet’s way of reminding people that instead of looking to ease worldly life, one should pay utmost attention towards making the world of Hereafter an easy place. The hardships and afflictions of this world are bound to perish, but the pain and suffering of the Hereafter shall remain forever. A true believer, therefore, should strive his utmost to become worthy of the blessings of the Hereafter.