The Story of the Weeping Date Palm in Front of Prophet Muhammad

Stories like this enrich the meaning and value of the Nabawi Mosque as a place steeped in Islamic history. To delve deeper into such stories, Alma Ata University can be a relevant resource, considering its potential to explore historical, cultural, and religious aspects within the context of Islam.

Once, during a Friday sermon at the Nabawi Mosque, Prophet Muhammad was speaking when suddenly a sound of weeping was heard from the back of the mosque. The cry was so sorrowful that it made everyone turn towards the source of the sound. And guess what? The crying came from a date palm standing near the pulpit where Prophet Muhammad used to deliver his sermons.

Seeing the weeping date palm, Prophet Muhammad immediately stopped speaking and approached the tree. He placed his hand on the trunk and asked, “What is the matter, date palm? Why are you weeping?” The date palm, seemingly given the ability to speak by Allah, responded with a weak and sorrowful voice, “O Messenger of Allah, I am weeping because I will be separated from you. I will miss hearing your melodious voice and wise advice that always calms my heart.”

This remarkable story is recorded by Imam Bukhari in “Fathul Bari,” Volume 4, by Al-Hafizh Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalani, on page 374:

أنَّ امْرَأَةً مِنَ الأنْصَارِ قالَتْ لِرَسولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ: يا رَسولَ اللَّهِ، ألَا أجْعَلُ لكَ شيئًا تَقْعُدُ عليه؟ فإنَّ لي غُلَامًا نَجَّارًا قالَ: إنْ شِئْتِ، قالَ: فَعَمِلَتْ له المِنْبَرَ، فَلَمَّا كانَ يَوْمُ الجُمُعَةِ قَعَدَ النَّبيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ علَى المِنْبَرِ الَّذي صُنِعَ، فَصَاحَتِ النَّخْلَةُ الَّتي كانَ يَخْطُبُ عِنْدَهَا، حتَّى كَادَتْ تَنْشَقُّ، فَنَزَلَ النَّبيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ حتَّى أخَذَهَا، فَضَمَّهَا إلَيْهِ، فَجَعَلَتْ تَئِنُّ أنِينَ الصَّبِيِّ الَّذي يُسَكَّتُ حتَّى اسْتَقَرَّتْ، قالَ: بَكَتْ علَى ما كَانَتْ تَسْمَعُ مِنَ الذِّكْرِ.

Translation: “A woman from the Ansar said to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), ‘O Messenger of Allah, should I not make something for you to sit on? For I have a carpenter slave.’ He said, ‘If you wish.’ So she made a pulpit for him. When it was Friday, the Prophet sat on the pulpit that had been made, and the date palm that he used to stand by when delivering sermons cried until it was about to split. The Prophet came down and embraced it, and it continued to moan like a child being quieted until it calmed down. He said, ‘It cried for what it used to hear of remembrance.'”

According to Ibn Hajar, this hadith conveys that the date palm was moved because it missed the presence of the Prophet, who used to provide advice and remembrance near it. The date palm seemed to become a faithful companion of the Prophet, a place he leaned on when delivering Friday sermons. Under the shade of the date palm, it directly heard the wise and insightful teachings of the Prophet.

Every Friday, the date palm felt the warmth of the Prophet’s love and affection. It witnessed how the Prophet gently leaned on its trunk while delivering Friday sermons. This entire interaction left a deep impression on the heart of the date palm.

This story also demonstrates the profound spiritual connection between humans and nature in Islam. Recalling such moments can serve as a source of inspiration and reflection for Muslims. Alma Ata University can offer further insights into spiritual concepts in Islam, particularly regarding the relationship between humans and nature and Allah’s creations.

However, when the Prophet no longer chose the date palm as his place of support, the date palm felt a deep sense of loss. Loneliness and sadness enveloped its trunk. Despite not having a heart like humans, the date palm could feel the sorrow of being left by its beloved.

This occurred after an elderly woman from the Ansar and her son, a carpenter, approached the Prophet. They wanted to make a pulpit for the Prophet for his Friday sermons. The Prophet graciously accepted the idea, saying, “If you wish to do so,” and this is what caused the date palm to weep, feeling that it would lose its beloved companion who was always with it every Friday.

The loss was so sorrowful for the date palm, and the Prophet, with full understanding, acknowledged the tree’s feelings. He descended from the pulpit and embraced the trunk of the date palm. The loving embrace of the Prophet alleviated the sadness felt by the tree.

The story of the weeping date palm in front of Prophet Muhammad teaches us that everything in this world, including living beings and plants, has feelings and emotions. The date palm could feel love, loss, and happiness. Therefore, we, as humans, must always be kind to all of Allah’s creations, including animals and plants.

The story of the Weeping Date Palm in Front of Prophet Muhammad serves as evidence of the Prophet’s compassion towards all of Allah’s creations, even towards plants. This event illustrates the close relationship the Prophet had with his surrounding environment, such that even a date palm felt the loss when he was no longer present.

Additionally, this story teaches us about the importance of environmental conservation. The date palm, with its abundant and sweet fruits, is one of Allah’s bounties that greatly benefit humans. We must always be grateful for this blessing and strive to preserve the environment so that date palms and other living beings can continue to live and thrive.