The great Imaam and Muhaddith, ‘Abdullah bin Mubaarak (rahimahullah), performed hajj regularly. He would travel in a caravan with a lot of luggage, with numerous servants and many others whom he would sponsor.

On one of his journeys for hajj, he was accompanied by a servant who had a partridge with him. One day, while packing up camp, the servant discovered that his partridge had died. Knowing that it was carrion and thus could not be eaten, the servant left it at a dump nearby.

‘Abdullah bin Mubaarak (rahimahullah) was already seated on his horse when he suddenly caught sight of a young girl continuously peeping from the door of a house close to the dump. Realizing that she was trying to avoid being spotted and was waiting for a chance to emerge unseen, he turned, pretending that he had not noticed her. She immediately came running to the dump wearing only a lower garment and as quickly as she could, grabbed the dead partridge and darted back home.

‘Abdullah (rahimahullah) instructed his servant to knock on the door of the small house. The servant did as instructed and the girl came to the door.

‘Abdullah (rahimahullah) asked her why she had taken the dead bird to which she replied, “I live here with my sister. We own nothing besides the lower garment I am wearing. Our father was a wealthy man but when he passed away, we were oppressed and our share of the inheritance was snatched from us. We have, since then, lived in such poverty and hunger that even carrion is permissible for us to consume. There is nothing in this home besides this lower garment. When I wear it, my sister has to go without anything to wear. This lower garment is our clothing, our bedding and even our blanket.”

‘Abdullah bin Mubaarak (rahimahullah) enquired, “Do the two of you have no guardian?” “By the oath of Allah! No” she replied. ‘Abdullah (rahimahullah) felt sympathy for their sorrowful plight and took pity on them. He sent a servant to bring back the luggage that he had sent ahead and thereafter turned to his treasurer and asked, “Where is the money we brought for our travelling expenses?” “Around my waist” he replied. ‘Abdullah (rahimahullah) had brought along a thousand gold coins. He instructed the treasurer, “Keep twenty gold coins which are sufficient for our return home and give the girl the remaining coins.”

On arriving back at the campsite, somebody asked him why he had cancelled his hajj to which he replied, “I was given the opportunity to earn a reward greater than that of nafl hajj.”

(Al-Muntazam vol. 9, pg. 62)

Lessons:

1. It is extremely important to determine our priorities and act accordingly. ‘Abdullah bin Mubaarak (rahimahullah) understood that although his plans for hajj had already been made and he had already covered some of the journey, the need of the hour and the more virtuous act was to assist the girls in need. In the same manner, if a person has outstanding debts and his creditors are requesting payment, he must first pay off his debts before going for nafl ‘umrah, hajj, etc. Similarly, it is incorrect for one to abandon his aged parents, who require his service, in order to perform ‘umrah.

2. While performing nafl hajj and ‘umrah carries great virtue and reward, we should not neglect spending on those in need – especially when they are family members.

3. If a person is not blessed to journey to the Holy Lands for hajj, it does not mean he has to be deprived of reward. By exerting himself in that ‘ibaadah which is most important at that time, he can sometimes gain greater reward.

4. A believer does not have the attitude of “each man for himself.” If we see any fellow believer in difficulty, it should affect us to the point of making us restless. With this concern at heart, we should then do whatever is in our ability to help him.