Hadhrat Abu Talha (Radhiyallahu anhu) and his Salaat

Hadhrat Abu Talha (Radhiyallaho anho) was once saying his Salaat in his garden. His attention was drawn towards a bird that flitted about, but could not find a way out of the dense foliage. For a short moment, he followed the bird with his eyes, and forgot the number of his rakaat. Upon this mishap, his sorrow knew no bounds. He repaired to the Prophet's (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) presence straightway and submitted thus:

"0 Prophet of Allah, this garden of mine has been the cause of a diversion in my Salaat. I give it away in the cause of Allah. Kindly spend it as may appear proper to you."

A similar chance befell one of the Ansaar in the time of Hadhrat Usman (Radhiyallaho anho). He was saying his Salaat in his garden. The branches of the trees were weighed down with ripe juicy dates, luxurious abundance, which caught his eyes, and he felt pleased with it. This made him forget the number of his rakaat. He was so much stricken with grief that he decided to part with the garden that had distracted him from his Salaat.

He approached Usman (Radhiyallaho anho) and made over the garden to him for utilising it in the path of Allah. Usman (Radhiyal-laho anho) had the garden sold for fifty thousand dirhams and spent the money as desired. This shows the value the Sahaba set on their faith; and Hadhrat Abu Talha (Radhiyallaho anho) could give away his orchard worth fifty thousand dirhams because it had interfered with his Salaat. According to Shah Waliullah, the Sufis give preference to obedience to Allah over anything that distracts from it.

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