"A thing on trust to us must be returned to the owner.

"A thing on trust to us must be returned to the owner." Then Umme Salim decided to reveal what had happened to their son. She said, "Salim who was on trust to us has departed from this world.

Allah the All Merciful, has decided to take him back from us." So moved was Abu Talha to hear this said in this way that he exclaimed, "By Allah you are the mother of the son and as such more deserving to be consoled for this patience than I." Abu Talha then rose up for ablution and recited two raka't prayers for the departed soul. Thereafter he went to the Prophet and related the unusual patience displayed by his wife over the death of their dear son.

The Prophet was very glad and thanked Allah saying that his Ummat - his people were like those of Bani Israei. That is there were such people of forbearance and staunch faith as were to be found among the people of Bani Israel. The fact is that the death of a dear son should have caused the mother Umme Salim much grief. Instead she exercised a lot of self-control and patience so as to console her husband. It shows how deeply faithful and resigned to the will of Allah she was.

What a splendid example of the power of faith which the Prophet of Islam had described in these words: "A person of Iman (faith) in his religion is stronger than a mighty mountain. That is so because a mountain can be carved out whereas one cannot cut back any part of the faith of a believer since he holds it firmly with deep attachment." Previous…