The Patched Robe of the Prophet (s.a.w.)

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

This is a story from Shaykh Farid ad-Din ‘Aththar Abu Hamid ibn Abu Bakr Ibrahim (q.s.).  It illustrates the love of the Prophet (s.a.w.) for his ummah. 

There was a Jew of Damascus who was reading a holy book one day, when he came across the name of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) written in it.  Not liking this, he removed the name.  But the next day, he found it there again.  Again, he took out the name; but on the third day it had appeared again.  He thought, “Perhaps this is a sign that a true Emissary has come.  I will journey southwards to Madina.” 

And so, he forthwith, not tarrying until he reached the city of the Prophet (s.a.w.).  He arrived there, not knowing anybody.  He was near the Mosque of the Prophet (s.a.w.) when Sayyidina Anas ibn Malik (r.a.) arrived.  He said to Sayyidina Anas (r.a.), “Friend, take me to the Prophet.” 

Sayyidina Anas (r.a.) led him into the mosque, which was full of people in anguish.  Sayyidina Abu Bakr ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Utsman asw-Swiddiq (r.a.), the successor was sitting there, at the head of the assembly.  The old man went up to him, thinking he must be Muhammad (s.a.w.), and said, “O Chosen Envoy of God, a stray old man has come to offer you peace.”  Hearing the title of the Prophet (s.a.w.) used, everyone present burst into a flood of tears.  The stranger was uncertain as to what to do.  He said, “I am a foreigner and a Jew, and I am unaware of the rites of the Faith of Submission to the Will of Allah.  Have I said something untoward?  Should I have remained silent?  Or, is this a ritual observance?  Why do you cry?  If it is a ceremony, I have never heard of it.” 

Sayyidina Abu Hafsw ‘Umar ibn al-Khaththab al-Faruq (r.a.) said to him, “We do not weep because of anything which you have done.  But you must hear, unfortunate one, that it is a but a week since the Prophet (s.a.w.) left the earth.  When we heard his name, grief took possession of our hearts anew.” 

As soon as he heard this, the ancient tore his clothes in anguish.  When he had recovered a little, he said, “Do me one favour.  Let me have at least a robe of the Prophet.  If I cannot see him, at least let me have this.” 

Sayyidina ‘Umar (r.a.) answered, “Only Fathimah could give us one of his robes.” 

Sayyidina ‘Ali ibn Abu Thalib (k.w.) said, “But she will not allow anyone to go near her.”  But they went to her door and knocked, and explained what they wanted. 

Sayyidatina Fathimah az-Zahrah (r.a.) answered, “Verily, the Prophet (s.a.w.) spoke truly when he said, shortly before he died, ‘A wayfarer, who has love towards me and who is a good man, will come to the house.  He will not see me.  Give him, therefore, this patchwork robe as if from me, and for me, treat him gently, offering salutations.’” 

The Jew put the robe on himself and, professing Islam, asked to be taken to the Prophet's (s.a.w.) grave.  It was at this place that he breathed his last.