That he heard Jabir bin `Abdullah saying, "The roof of the Mosque was built over trunks of datepalms working as pillars. When the Prophet (ﷺ) delivered a sermon, he used to stand by one of those trunks till the pulpit was made for him, and he used it instead. Then we heard the trunk sending a sound like of a pregnant she-camel till the Prophet (ﷺ) came to it, and put his hand over it, then it became quiet."
Virtues and Merits of the Prophet (pbuh) and his Companions
Sahih al-Bukhari 3585 - Commentary by Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani
The Miraculous Weeping of the Date-Palm Trunk
This hadith demonstrates the profound love and connection between the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and all creation. The date-palm trunk, which served as his minbar (pulpit) initially, expressed its yearning through audible lamentation when he abandoned it for the new pulpit.
Scholars explain this as one of the clear miracles (mu'jizat) granted to the Prophet, where inanimate objects manifested emotions and recognition of his prophethood. The trunk's sound resembling a pregnant camel indicates the intensity of its grief - a pregnant camel's cry being among the most poignant sounds known to the Arabs.
The Significance of the Prophet's Touch
When the Prophet placed his blessed hand upon the weeping trunk, it immediately became calm. This illustrates the barakah (blessing) in his physical touch and his role as mercy to all worlds. Some commentators note that the trunk's yearning was not merely for physical proximity but for the spiritual nourishment it received when the Prophet stood upon it while delivering divine revelation.
The Companions' preservation of this trunk until it decayed demonstrates their reverence for anything connected to the Prophet. This incident also establishes the permissibility of using elevated platforms for preaching, provided it doesn't lead to arrogance.