The Lady Who Spoke Only Verses of the Qur’an

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

This incident was narrated by Imam Abu ‘Abd ar-Rahman ‘Abdullah ibn al-Mubarak (r.a.).  He was a man of great learning and he lived in the era of the Abbasids.  This incident reflects the love and attachment with the Qur’an.  It also manifests the comprehensiveness of the Qur’an.

An elderly Arab lady was sitting at the trunk of a tree, on the way to haj.  Imam ibn al-Mubarak (r.a.) happened to pass that way.  He was also heading for Baytullah, for haj, and to the sacred tomb of the Prophet (s.a.w.).  Seeing this lady very disturbed, and in a state of distress, he spoke to her.  The discussion is recorded as follows.

Imam ibn al-Mubarak (r.a.) said, “as-Salaamu‘Alaykum wa Rahmatullah.”

The lady replied:

سُوۡرَةُ یسٓ

سَلَـٰمٌ۬ قَوۡلاً۬ مِّن رَّبٍّ۬ رَّحِيمٍ۬ (٥٨)

“Peace! - a Word (of salutation) from a Lord Most Merciful!” (Surah YaSin:58)

She meant that the reply of salaam is from Allah, (s.w.t.), Himself.  She further said:

سُوۡرَةُ الاٴعرَاف

مَن يُضۡلِلِ ٱللَّهُ فَلَا هَادِىَ لَهُ ۥ‌ۚ وَيَذَرُهُمۡ فِى طُغۡيَـٰنِہِمۡ يَعۡمَهُونَ (١٨٦)

To such as Allah Rejects from His Guidance, there can be no guide; He will Leave them in their trespasses, wandering in distraction. (Surah al-A’araf:186)

Imam ibn al-Mubarak (r.a.) asked, “Where are you coming from?”

The lady answered:

سُوۡرَةُ بنیٓ اسرآئیل / الإسرَاء

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

سُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَسۡرَىٰ بِعَبۡدِهِۦ لَيۡلاً۬ مِّنَ ٱلۡمَسۡجِدِ ٱلۡحَرَامِ إِلَى ٱلۡمَسۡجِدِ ٱلۡأَقۡصَا ... (١)

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

Glory to (Allah) Who did take His Servant for journey by night from the Sacred Mosque to the Farthest Mosque ... (Surah al-Isra’:1)

She meant that she had come from Masjid al-Aqswa.

Imam ibn al-Mubarak (r.a.) asked, “How long are you in this place?”

The lady replied:

سُوۡرَةُ مَریَم

... ثَلَـٰثَ لَيَالٍ۬ ... (١٠)

“… for three nights ...” (Surah Maryam:10)

Imam ibn al-Mubarak (r.a.) asked, “What arrangements are made for your food?”

The lady said:

سُوۡرَةُ الشُّعَرَاء

وَٱلَّذِى هُوَ يُطۡعِمُنِى وَيَسۡقِينِ (٧٩)

“Who gives me food and drink.” (Surah ash-Shu’ara:79)

She meant that somehow or the other, her food was Provided to her by Allah (s.w.t.).

Imam ibn al-Mubarak (r.a.) asked, “Is there any water for wudhu’?”

The lady said:

سُوۡرَةُ النِّسَاء

... فَلَمۡ تَجِدُواْ مَآءً۬ فَتَيَمَّمُواْ صَعِيدً۬ا طَيِّبً۬ا فَٱمۡسَحُواْ بِوُجُوهِكُمۡ وَأَيۡدِيكُمۡ‌ۗ ... (٤٣)

… and you find no water, then take for yourselves clean sand or earth, and rub therewith your faces and hands ... (Surah an-Nisa’:43)

She meant that she did tayammum because she could not find water.

Imam ibn al-Mubarak (r.a.) passed her some food.  “Here is some food.  Partake of it.”

سُوۡرَةُ البَقَرَة

... ثُمَّ أَتِمُّواْ ٱلصِّيَامَ إِلَى ٱلَّيۡلِ‌ ... (١٨٧)

… then complete your fast until the night appears ... (Surah al-Baqarah:187)

She indicated that she was fasting.

Imam ibn al-Mubarak (r.a.) said, “This is not the month of Ramadhan.”

The lady replied:

سُوۡرَةُ البَقَرَة

... وَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيۡرً۬ا فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَاكِرٌ عَلِيمٌ (١٥٨)

… And if anyone obeys his own impulse to good ― be sure that Allah is He Who Recognises and Knows. (Surah al-Baqarah:158)

She was observing an optional fast, even though she was a traveller.

Imam ibn al-Mubarak (r.a.) reminded her, “It is permitted to break the fast when in a journey.”

The lady replied:

سُوۡرَةُ البَقَرَة

... وَأَن تَصُومُواْ خَيۡرٌ۬ لَّڪُمۡ‌ۖ إِن كُنتُمۡ تَعۡلَمُونَ (١٨٤)

… and it is better for you that you fast, if you only knew. (Surah al-Baqarah:184)

Imam ibn al-Mubarak (r.a.) said, “Speak like how I speak.”

The lady replied:

سُوۡرَةُ قٓ

مَّا يَلۡفِظُ مِن قَوۡلٍ إِلَّا لَدَيۡهِ رَقِيبٌ عَتِيدٌ۬ (١٨)

Not a word does he utter but there is a sentinel by him, ready (to note it). (Surah Qaf:18)

She meant that since every word of a person is observed and recorded, she is taking precaution by speaking only in the Words of the Qur’an.

Imam ibn al-Mubarak (r.a.) asked, “Which clan do you belong to?”

The lady answered:

سُوۡرَةُ بنیٓ اسرآئیل / الإسرَاء

وَلَا تَقۡفُ مَا لَيۡسَ لَكَ بِهِۦ عِلۡمٌ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱلسَّمۡعَ وَٱلۡبَصَرَ وَٱلۡفُؤَادَ كُلُّ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ كَانَ عَنۡهُ مَسۡـُٔولاً۬ (٣٦)

And pursue not that of which you have no knowledge; for every act of hearing, or of seeing or of (feeling in) will be Enquired into (on the Day of Reckoning). (Surah al-Isra’:36)

She meant those things that he had no knowledge of, nor concerned him, he was wasting his time by enquiring about them.

Imam ibn al-Mubarak (r.a.) said, “Forgive me.  I have certainly made a mistake.”

The lady said:

سُوۡرَةُ یُوسُف

... لَا تَثۡرِيبَ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ‌ۖ يَغۡفِرُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمۡ‌ۖ ... (٩٢)

… “This day let no reproach be (cast) on you: Allah will Forgive you …” (Surah Yusuf:92)

Imam ibn al-Mubarak (r.a.) asked, “Would you like to travel on my camel, and meet your caravan?”

The lady said:

سُوۡرَةُ البَقَرَة

... وَمَا تَفۡعَلُواْ مِنۡ خَيۡرٍ۬ يَعۡلَمۡهُ ٱللَّهُ‌ۗ ... (١٩٧)

… And whatever good you do (be sure) Allah Knows it ... (Surah al-Baqarah:197)

She meant that if he would do this good deed towards her, Allah (s.w.t.) Would Recompense him for it.

Imam ibn al-Mubarak (r.a.) said, “Well, then you may mount it.”  Saying this, he made the camel to sit down.

The lady said:

سُوۡرَةُ النُّور

قُل لِّلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ يَغُضُّواْ مِنۡ أَبۡصَـٰرِهِمۡ ... (٣٠)

Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze ... (Surah an-Nur:30)

Imam ibn al-Mubarak (r.a.) understood and looked away.  While she was mounting, the camel jerked, and her clothes got entangled in the saddle, and she proclaimed:

سُوۡرَةُ الشّوریٰ

وَمَآ أَصَـٰبَڪُم مِّن مُّصِيبَةٍ۬ فَبِمَا كَسَبَتۡ أَيۡدِيكُمۡ ... (٣٠)

Whatever misfortune happens to you, is because of the things your hands have wrought ... (Surah ash-Shura’:30)

In other words, she was drawing Imam ibn al-Mubarak’s (r.a.) attention towards this mishap.  Imam ibn al-Mubarak (r.a.) understood, and he tied the legs of the camel, and he straightened the straps of the saddle.  She applauded him for his proficiency, and capability, by saying:

سُوۡرَةُ الاٴنبیَاء

فَفَهَّمۡنَـٰهَا سُلَيۡمَـٰنَ‌ۚ وَڪُلاًّ ءَاتَيۡنَا حُكۡمً۬ا وَعِلۡمً۬ا‌ۚ ... (٧٩)

To Solomon, We Inspired the (right) understanding of the matter ... (Surah al-Anbiya’:79)

When the journey was about to begin, the lady recited the verses which are read when undertaking a journey.

سُوۡرَةُ الزّخرُف

... سُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱلَّذِى سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَـٰذَا وَمَا ڪُنَّا لَهُ ۥ مُقۡرِنِينَ (١٣)

… “Glory to Him Who has subjected these to Our (use), for We could never have accomplished this (by ourselves).” (Surah az-Zukhruf:13)

Imam ibn al-Mubarak (r.a.) held the bridle of the camel.  He began to hum the huddi, the Bedouin Arabic song for travelling, and he started walking very fast.

سُوۡرَةُ لقمَان

وَٱقۡصِدۡ فِى مَشۡيِكَ وَٱغۡضُضۡ مِن صَوۡتِكَ‌ۚ ... (١٩)

“And be moderate in your pace, and lower your voice …” (Surah Luqman:19)

Imam ibn al-Mubarak (r.a.) understood.  He began walking slower and he lowered his voice.  The lady said:

سُوۡرَةُ المُزمّل

... فَٱقۡرَءُواْ مَا تَيَسَّرَ مِنَ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانِ‌ۚ ... (٢٠)

… read you, therefore, of the Qur’an as much as may be easy for you ... (Surah al-Muzzammil:20)

She meant that instead of humming the huddi, he should rather recite the Qur’an.  Imam ibn al-Mubarak (r.a.) began reciting the Qur’an.  The lady became very pleased and said:

سُوۡرَةُ البَقَرَة

... وَمَا يَذَّڪَّرُ إِلَّآ أُوْلُواْ ٱلۡأَلۡبَـٰبِ (٢٦٩)

… but none will grasp the Message but men of understanding. (Surah al-Baqarah:269)

After reciting the Qur’an for a while, Imam ibn al-Mubarak (r.a.) asked the lady if she had a husband who was alive, “O Aunt, have you a husband?”

The lady said:

سُوۡرَةُ المَائدة

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَا تَسۡـَٔلُواْ عَنۡ أَشۡيَآءَ إِن تُبۡدَ لَكُمۡ تَسُؤۡكُمۡ ... (١٠١)

O you who believe!  Ask not questions about things which, if made plain to you, may cause you trouble ... (Surah al-Ma’idah:101)

She meant that no questions should be asked regarding this matter, which indicated that her husband has most probably passed away.  Finally, they caught up with the caravan.

Imam ibn al-Mubarak (r.a.) asked, “Do you have any son or relative in this caravan who has connections with you?”

The lady replied:

سُوۡرَةُ الکهف

ٱلۡمَالُ وَٱلۡبَنُونَ زِينَةُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۖ ... (٤٦)

Wealth and sons are allurements of the life of this world: but the things that endure ... (Surah al-Kahf:46)

She meant that her sons were with this caravan, and they had provisions with them.

Imam ibn al-Mubarak (r.a.) asked, “What work are your sons doing for the caravan?”  Imam ‘Abdullah’s (r.a.) objective for asking was to make it easy for him to recognise them.

The lady said:

سُوۡرَةُ النّحل

وَعَلَـٰمَـٰتٍ۬‌ۚ وَبِٱلنَّجۡمِ هُمۡ يَہۡتَدُونَ (١٦)

And marks and signposts; and by the stars (men) guide themselves. (Surah an-Nahl:16)

She meant that they were guides for the caravan.

Imam ibn al-Mubarak (r.a.) asked, “Can you tell me their names?”

The lady said:

سُوۡرَةُ النِّسَاء

... وَٱتَّخَذَ ٱللَّهُ إِبۡرَٲهِيمَ خَلِيلاً۬ (١٢٥)

… For Allah did Take Abraham for a friend. (Surah an-Nisa’:125)

سُوۡرَةُ النِّسَاء

...‌ۚ وَكَلَّمَ ٱللَّهُ مُوسَىٰ تَڪۡلِيمً۬ا (١٦٤)

… and to Moses Allah Spoke Direct. - (Surah an-Nisa’:164)

سُوۡرَةُ مَریَم

يَـٰيَحۡيَىٰ خُذِ ٱلۡڪِتَـٰبَ بِقُوَّةٍ۬‌ۖ ... (١٢)

(To his son came the command), “O Yahya!  Take hold of the Book with might”: and We Gave him wisdom even as a youth. … (Surah Maryam:12)

By reciting these verses, the lady informed him that her sons names were named Yahya, Ibrahim, and Musa.  Imam ibn al-Mubarak (r.a.) called out these names in the caravan and immediately three young men came forward.

The lady addressed her children:

سُوۡرَةُ الکهف

... بِوَرِقِكُمۡ هَـٰذِهِۦۤ إِلَى ٱلۡمَدِينَةِ فَلۡيَنظُرۡ أَيُّہَآ أَزۡكَىٰ طَعَامً۬ا ... (١٩)

… Now send you then one of you with this money of yours to the town: let him find out which is the best food (to be had) and bring some to you, that (you may satisfy hunger therewith ... (Surah al-Kahf:19)

In other words, she instructed them to feed Imam ibn al-Mubarak (r.a.).  When the food was brought, she told Imam ibn al-Mubarak (r.a.):

سُوۡرَةُ الحَاقَّة

كُلُواْ وَٱشۡرَبُواْ هَنِيٓـَٔۢا بِمَآ أَسۡلَفۡتُمۡ فِى ٱلۡأَيَّامِ ٱلۡخَالِيَةِ (٢٤)

“Eat you and drink you, with full satisfaction; because of the (good) that you sent before you, in the days that are gone!” (Surah al-Haqqah:24)

And with this verse she recited another verse to convey her gratefulness to him for his good conduct and courtesy:

سُوۡرَةُ الرَّحمٰن

هَلۡ جَزَآءُ ٱلۡإِحۡسَـٰنِ إِلَّا ٱلۡإِحۡسَـٰنُ (٦٠)

Is there any Reward for good other than good? (Surah ar-Rahman:60)

Their conversation terminated on this verse.  The lady’s son informed Imam ‘Abdullah ibn al-Mubarak (r.a.) that his mother has been speaking in this manner for the last forty years.