Khilafat and Mujaddidiyyat — Page 32
32 Hadhrat Hafiz Mirza Nasir Ahmad which one bears due to empty stomach by putting a stone on the stomach and tying it tightly with a cloth. The stone tied with cloth would press the stomach and the feeling of hunger will subside to some extent. In short when such was the condition due to hunger, a person approached the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of God be upon him) and said: Yaa Rasoolullah (O Messenger of Allah) the situation has exceeded the bounds, our trouble has reached its climax; we do not find food and the army of the disbelievers have encircled us. We were getting provisions from abroad and these avenues have been closed. Removing the cloth from his belly he said, see to what extent are we suffering, we are forced to tie stones to our bellies. Then, the Rasoolullah said, now see this one too, and when he removed the cloth from his belly there were two stones tied on his stomach compared to one stone of the person. In such stance, a companion who had some flour in the house and a baby goat, slaughtered the baby goat and after cleaning it asked his wife to prepare food and meanwhile he would whisper into the ear of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of God be upon him), that he was inviting him to dinner which was, ready and that he should come to eat. He went to him and knowing that food could hardly suffice for ten to fifteen persons, whispered to the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of God be upon him) saying; Yaa Rasoolullah there is a small quantity of food ready in my house, please come in and eat it. When he heard this (notice his best example in response) he announced: “O people this person has invited us to dinner, let us go and eat. ” Even in this condition when he had stones tied on his stomach, he did not go alone. He takes other people along with him. I am telling you, that whoever achieves anything of the bounty of the Holy Prophet (peace