Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "While three persons were traveling, they were overtaken by rain and they took
shelter in a cave in a mountain. A big rock fell from the mountain over the mouth of the cave and
blocked it. They said to each other. 'Think of such good (righteous) deeds which, you did for Allah's
sake only, and invoke Allah by giving reference to those deeds so that Allah may relieve you from
your difficulty. one of them said, 'O Allah! I had my parents who were very old and I had small
children for whose sake I used to work as a shepherd. When I returned to them at night and milked
(the sheep), I used to start giving the milk to my parents first before giving to my children. And one
day I went far away in search of a grazing place (for my sheep), and didn't return home till late at
night and found that my parents had slept. I milked (my livestock) as usual and brought the milk
vessel and stood at their heads, and I disliked to wake them up from their sleep, and I also disliked to
give the milk to my children before my parents though my children were crying (from hunger) at my
feet.
So this state of mine and theirs continued till the day dawned. (O Allah!) If you considered that I had
done that only for seeking Your pleasure, then please let there be an opening through which we can
see the sky.' So Allah made for them an opening through which they could see the sky. Then the
second person said, 'O Allah! I had a she-cousin whom I loved as much as a passionate man love a
woman. I tried to seduce her but she refused till I paid her one-hundred Dinars So I worked hard till I
collected one hundred Dinars and went to her with that But when I sat in between her legs (to have
sexual intercourse with her), she said, 'O Allah's slave! Be afraid of Allah ! Do not deflower me
except legally (by marriage contract). So I left her O Allah! If you considered that I had done that only
for seeking Your pleasure then please let the rock move a little to have a (wider) opening.'
So Allah shifted that rock to make the opening wider for them. And the last (third) person said 'O
Allah ! I employed a laborer for wages equal to a Faraq (a certain measure: of rice, and when he had
finished his job he demanded his wages, but when I presented his due to him, he gave it up and
refused to take it. Then I kept on sowing that rice for him (several times) till managed to buy with the
price of the yield, some cows and their shepherd Later on the laborer came to me an said. '(O Allah's
slave!) Be afraid o Allah, and do not be unjust to me an give me my due.' I said (to him). 'Go and take
those cows and their shepherd. So he took them and went away. (So, O Allah!) If You considered that
I had done that for seeking Your pleasure, then please remove the remaining part of the rock.' And so
Allah released them (from their difficulty).
Narrated by Narrated Ibn `Umar:
Context
In this hadith, three men find themselves trapped in a cave due to a rock that has fallen and blocked their exit. They decide to invoke Allah by recalling their good deeds, seeking His mercy to relieve them from their predicament. Each man recounts a virtuous act he performed solely for Allah's sake, demonstrating the importance of sincere intentions in one's actions. Their prayers are answered when Allah grants them a way out.
Modern Application
This hadith emphasizes the significance of good deeds and sincere intentions in our daily lives. When faced with challenges, reflecting on our positive actions can inspire hope and resilience. It encourages individuals to engage in acts of kindness and compassion, knowing that these deeds can be a source of support in difficult times.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Good Deeds because it highlights the power of righteous actions performed for Allah's sake in times of distress.
And [He also forgave] the three who were left behind [and regretted their error] to the point that the earth closed in on them in spite of its vastness and their souls confined them and they were certain that there is no refuge from Allah except in Him. Then He turned to them so they could repent. Indeed, Allah is the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful.
It is that of which Allah gives good tidings to His servants who believe and do righteous deeds. Say, [O Muhammad], "I do not ask you for this message any payment [but] only good will through kinship." And whoever commits a good deed - We will increase for him good therein. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Appreciative.
And Allah presents an example: a city which was safe and secure, its provision coming to it in abundance from every location, but it denied the favors of Allah. So Allah made it taste the envelopment of hunger and fear for what they had been doing.
[The youths said to one another], "And when you have withdrawn from them and that which they worship other than Allah, retreat to the cave. Your Lord will spread out for you of His mercy and will prepare for you from your affair facility."