Stories from Early Islam — Page 162
162 I At one time, due to lack of rain, Madinah was faced with fam- ine. As the Holy Prophet saw was delivering the Friday sermon, someone from among the audience called out, ‘O Messenger of Allah! Cattle are dying for want of food and water. People are starving to death. Pray to God that He, through His mercy, sends us rain’. The Holy Prophet saw raised his hands and prayed to God for rain. The sky which had been absolutely clear, was suddenly covered with a sand storm. Thereafter dark clouds appeared, which brought heavy rain. As people reached their homes, their clothes were soaked. The rain continued to fall for a whole week. People became worried. They approached him again and said, ‘Messenger of Allah! The rain is creating havoc, houses are being destroyed. Pray to God that it may stop’. The Holy Prophet saw smiled and prayed again. Soon the clouds broke and Madinah was bright again. II Abu Hurairah’s mother was a non-believer. He tried hard to convince her but she would not accept Islam. One day when he was talking to her, she spoke ill of the Prophet saw. Abu Hurairah felt it very gravely. He went to the Holy Prophet saw and after