Three persons set out on a journey. They were overtaken by rain and they had to find protection in a mountain cave where at its mouth there fell a rock of that mountain and thus blocked them altogether. One of them said to the others: Look to your good deeds that you performed for the sake of Allah and then supplicate Allah, the Exalted, that He might rescue you (from this trouble). One of them said: 0 Allah, I had my parents who were old and my wife and my small children also. I tended the flock and when I came back to them in the evening, I milked them (the sheep, goats, cows, etc.) and first served that milk to my parents. One day I was obliged to go out to a distant place in search of fodder and I could not come back before evening and found them (the parents) asleep. I milked the animals as I used to milk and brought milk to them and stood by their heads avoiding to disturb them from sleep and I did not deem it advisable to serve milk to my children before serving them. My children wept near my feet. I remained there in that very state and my parents too until it was morning. And (0 Allah) if Thou art aware that I did this in order to seek Thine pleasure, grant us riddance from this trouble. (The rock slipped a bit) that they could see the sky. The second one said: 0 Allah, I had a female cousin whom I loved more than the men love the women. I wanted to have sexual intercourse with her; she refused but on the condition of getting one hundred dinirs. It was with very great difficulty that I could collect one hundred dinirs and then paid them to her and when I was going to have a sexual intercourse with her, that she said: Servant of Allah, fear Allah and do not break the seal (of chastity) but by lawful means. I got up. 0 Allah, if Thou art aware that I did this in order to seek Thine pleasure, rid us from this trouble. The situation was somewhat eased for them. The third one said: Allah, I employed a workman for a measure of rice. After he had finished his work I gave him his dues (in the form of) a measure of rice, but he did not accept them. I used these rice as seeds, and that gave a bumper crop and I became rich enough to have cows and flocks (in my possession). He came to me and said: Fear Allah, and commit no crueltv upon me in regard to my dues. I said to him: Takeaway this flock of cows and sheep. He said: Fear Allah and do not make a fun of me. I said: I am not making a fun of you. You take the cows and the flocks. So he took them. 0 Allah, if Thou art aware that I did it for Thine pleasure, case the situation for us. And Allah relieved them from the rest of the trouble.
The Book of Heart-Melting Traditions
Sahih Muslim 2743 a - Commentary by Imam An-Nawawi
The First Man's Devotion
This man prioritized his parents' comfort over his children's immediate needs, demonstrating profound filial piety. In Islamic tradition, serving parents is among the highest acts of worship, second only to prayer. His patience throughout the night, despite his children's crying, shows complete submission to Allah's command regarding parental rights.
The scholars note that his action embodies the Quranic verse: "Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and do good to parents" (17:23). His supplication was accepted because it stemmed from sincere obedience to divine commandments.
The Second Man's Chastity
Though initially inclined toward sin, this man demonstrated ultimate fear of Allah when reminded. The scholars explain that abandoning unlawful intercourse after expending great effort and wealth shows genuine taqwa (God-consciousness). His cousin's words awakened his faith, causing him to prioritize Allah's pleasure over temporal desires.
This illustrates the principle that when a Muslim avoids haram (forbidden acts) for Allah's sake, especially after being tempted, it becomes a means of divine acceptance and forgiveness.
The Third Man's Honesty
This incident demonstrates comprehensive fulfillment of workers' rights. The man not only gave the original dues but generously added the profits generated from them. Scholars emphasize that Islamic business ethics require honoring contracts beyond minimal requirements.
His action reflects the Prophet's teaching: "Give the worker his wages before his sweat dries." The substantial compensation shows understanding that blessings come from honest dealings, and true wealth lies in Allah's pleasure rather than material accumulation.
Collective Wisdom
These three stories collectively teach that salvation comes through sincere deeds performed purely for Allah's pleasure. Each man faced different tests - family obligations, carnal desires, and business ethics - yet all chose righteousness over convenience.
The gradual relief from the rock signifies that collective righteousness brings collective deliverance. The cave represents worldly difficulties, while the supplications based on righteous deeds become the means of divine intervention and mercy.