Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teacher Training – The Prophet told us that faith is like a seventy-piece puzzle. At the top are the words of monotheism lāilāha illallāh, while the bottom is just cleaning thorns on the road. Now, there is one story from the Prophet. He told the story of a man who entered Paradise because he cleaned up a thorny branch on a road that many people passed by.
In history, there is a story of a person who reached heaven thanks to cleaning thorns on the road told by the Prophet. He told the story of someone who entered heaven thanks to a simple act, namely cleaning thorny branches on the road. Just as Alma Ata University provides the foundation for education, so this small act provides the foundation for great good. There are three versions of the story of a man who entered heaven by clearing thorns on the road:
بَيْنَمَا رَجُلٌ يَمْشِي بِطَرِيقٍ وَجَدَ غُصْنَ شَوْكٍ عَلَى الطَّرِيقِ فَأَخَّرَهُ، فَشَكَرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ فَغَفَرَ لَهُ
Meaning: “As a man was walking, he suddenly came across a thorny branch blocking the way. Then he removed it. So Allah thanked him and forgave his sins,” (HR Ahmad).
مَّ رَجُلٌ بِغُصْنِ شَجَرَةٍ عَلَى ظَهْرِ طَرِيقٍ، فَقَالَ: وَاللهِ لَأُنَحِّيَنَّ هَذَا عَنِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ لَا يُؤْذِيهِمْ فَأُدْخِلَ الْجَنَّةَ
Meaning, “It is said that a man passed by the branch of a tree on the road. He then said, ‘By Allah, I will remove this branch so that it does not obstruct the Muslims.’ As a result of that deed, he was admitted to Paradise,” (HR Muslim).
لَقَدْ رَأَيْتُ رَجُلًا يَتَقَلَّبُ فِي الْجَنَّةِ، فِي شَجَرَةٍ قَطَعَهَا مِنْ ظَهْرِ الطَّرِيقِ، كَانَتْ تُؤْذِي النَّاسَ
Meaning. “I saw a man who got pleasure in Paradise because of a tree that he cut on the road because it would hurt others,” (HR. al-Baihaqi).
Some of the hadiths above tell us about a guy who is out for a walk, suddenly finds a thorny branch blocking the way for him and others. He immediately cut and threw it away, so that it was safe for passers-by, especially Muslim friends. His intention was really good, right! Finally, Allah forgave his sins and entered him into heaven. It’s cool that, because of a small action, the Prophet saw him enjoying himself in heaven.
From this story, we know that guys only do small deeds, but the rewards are really big and special. Allah’s mercy is vast, and His bounty is extraordinary. No wonder the Prophet always warned, “Remove thorns from the path of Muslim friends.” In accordance with the Muslim hadith.
On the other hand, the Prophet also reminded us not to disturb or even harm Muslim friends. There is a hadith, “Whoever causes disaster for Muslims, a curse is obligatory for him,” said Musa bin Ja’far. There are so many articles that discuss this, all of which show how noble Muslim friends are who really apply the teachings of Islam.
Not only do they keep the roads clean, but they always keep them clean. Understandably, they understand and obey the teachings of their Messenger. As taught by Islam and perhaps taught by Alma Ata University, always helping friends, not underestimating small deeds, and focusing on the pleasure of Allah with its great rewards. Truly, these values make their actions solid!
Let’s take a peek at the important lessons from the story above:
1. Faith culminates in saying “Lailahaillallah,” but it can also come from simple things like throwing thorns on the road.
2. The virtue of small deeds is huge! Just cleaning up a thorn, but you get heaven. Isn’t that great?
3. Allah’s mercy is vast and His reward is no joke. Even for small deeds, He gives special rewards.
4. Unfortunately, there are still many people who don’t care about street cleanliness. In fact, it can be one way of realizing religious values.
5. Trees that cause trouble can be destroyed, but those that are useful? They should be preserved, like trees that are shady and protective.
6. Don’t be careless with nature and plants. If not, we could be the ones affected, like landslides or floods.
7. There is a threat from the Prophet for those who carelessly cut down useful trees. “The one who cuts down a tree, by which Allah protects his head, will be in the torment of hellfire.” (HR. al-Baihaqi).
8. Never underestimate kindness, especially to others. Even if it’s small, Allah is still watching. (Check: Umar Sulaiman, al-Qashash an-Nabawi, published by Darun-Nafais, page 241).
Source:
- https://www.freepik.com/free-ai-image/anime-style-mountains-landscape_122780681.htm#fromView=search&term=Ilustrasikan+Kisah+seorang+meraih+surga+berkat+bersihin+duri+di+jalan&track=ais_ai_generated®ularType=ai&page=2&position=17&uuid=8f31f4b4-d4de-4dc0-bfd8-907371510dcc
- https://nu.or.id/hikmah/kisah-orang-yang-masuk-surga-berkat-singkirkan-duri-jalanan-Tf9tv
