While returning from the Battle of Tabook

It is mentioned in As Seeratun Nabawiyya on the authority of ‘Abdur Rahman bin Ghanam that while returning from the Battle of Tabook, at a certain point in the journey, there was acute shortage of water.

 

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  If anyone reaches a stream, they shouldn’t drink any water unless and until we reach it.  On hearing this, some hypocrites hastened to the stream and drank water from it.

 

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) reached there.  He stood there and saw that there was no water in it.  He asked: Who reached here before us?  It was answered:  So and so.  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  Did I not warn them not to drink water until I come?  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) invoked the wrath of Almighty Allah on them.

 

Then the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) stepped down to where the water was.  He passed both His hands over it and said some supplication.  Immediately, water gushed forth.  It came with such abundance that others could hear its flow very clearly.  All the people drank its water and fulfilled other needs.

 

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  If any of you remains, you will see that all the lands around this stream will become lush and green.

 

That the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) expressed His anger and invoked Allah’s wrath on those hypocrites who had drunk the water before Him, shows that their unpropitious hands had affected the water in some way.  Otherwise, cursing them and invoking Allah’s wrath on them was not the custom of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).

 

These are other-worldly affairs, understanding and comprehending whom is the domain of spirituality.  As the things of that realm are also unveiled to the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), that’s why the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) had to pass His hands over the water and supplicate.

 

[Excerpted from Maqasid Ul Islam, Vol. 9]