Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) told the story of Juraij the Worshipper, a man known for his deep devotion to prayer and worship. Juraij spent most of his time praying in his small hermitage, away from worldly distractions.
The Story of Juraij and His Mother
Unsure of what to do, he continued praying without responding to his mother.
His mother left, but she returned the next day, calling his name again while he was still in prayer. Juraij faced the same inner conflict but again chose to remain in prayer. This happened for three days, each time with Juraij choosing his prayer over responding to his mother.
Finally, his mother, hurt and disappointed, made a heartfelt supplication: “O Allah, do not let my son die until he encounters the faces of immoral women.”
The False Accusation
Juraij’s devotion became famous, and many people talked about his dedication to worship. One day, a prostitute heard about Juraij and thought she could tempt him. She tried to seduce him, but Juraij ignored her advances. Failing to lure him, she went to a nearby shepherd and committed adultery with him instead. Later, she became pregnant.
When the child was born, she falsely claimed that Juraij the Worshipper was the father of her child. The people believed her and were furious. They destroyed Juraij’s hermitage and attacked him, accusing him of the crime.
The Truth Revealed
After finishing his prayer, he gently tapped the child’s stomach and asked, “Who is your father?
The people were shocked by the truth. They apologized to Juraij and offered to rebuild his hermitage with gold, but Juraij humbly refused, saying they should rebuild it with mud, just as it had been before.
Moral of the Story
In Islam, the status of mothers is incredibly high. This teaches us that while prayer is essential, honoring and responding to our parents should not be neglected.
FAQs About Juraij the Worshipper
1. Who was Juraij the Worshipper?
Juraij was a devout man known for his constant prayer and worship in his hermitage. His story teaches the importance of balancing worship with respect for one’s parents.
2. Why didn’t Juraij respond to his mother?
Juraij was deeply involved in prayer when his mother called him. He was torn between continuing his worship or responding to his mother, and he chose to continue praying, which led to the events that followed.
3. What lesson does the story of Juraij the Worshipper teach?
The story emphasizes the significance of respecting one’s parents, particularly mothers, in Islam. While prayer is vital, honoring parents is a duty that should not be overlooked.
4. How did Juraij prove his innocence?
When falsely accused of fathering a child, Juraij prayed to Allah and asked the newborn baby who the real father was. The baby miraculously spoke, revealing that the father was a shepherd, not Juraij.
5. What does this story say about false accusations?
The story shows that truth prevails in the end, and those who are falsely accused must remain patient and trust in Allah’s justice.
In summary, Juraij the Worshipper reminds us of the delicate balance between worship and the rights of our parents. His story illustrates how, even in acts of devotion, we must never forget the respect and attention our loved ones, especially mothers, deserve.
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