Handsome He Was and He Rescued Me

The Power of Durood: A Lesson from Sheikh Shibli (Rahmatullahi Alaihi)

The great Sheikh Shibli (Rahmatullahi Alaihi) once shared a profound experience that serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of our speech and the blessings of sending Durood (salutations) upon the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

He narrated:

“One of my neighbours passed away. Soon thereafter, I saw him in a dream and asked, ‘What happened to you?’
He replied, ‘O Shibli, I passed through the most terrifying ordeal and great hardship. Even during the interrogation by the Angels Munkar and Nakeer, I experienced immense difficulty.’

Shocked by this, Sheikh Shibli reflected, ‘O Allah, why is he suffering such hardship? Did he not die upon Islam?’

Then came a divine response:

‘This is all because of his extreme lack of caution in the use of his tongue during his life in the world.’

This highlights a critical point: even a believer who dies upon Islam may face hardship in the grave due to careless speech—gossip, slander, harsh words, or idle talk.

But the story takes a hopeful turn.

As the angels prepared to punish the deceased, a handsome figure with a beautiful fragrance appeared and stood between him and the punishment. This figure began to dictate the correct answers to the angels’ questions, guiding the deceased through the interrogation.

The man asked, “Who are you?”

The figure replied:

“I am the person created from the great number of Durood (salutations) you recited upon Rasulullah ﷺ. I have been commanded to come to your aid whenever you are in need.”

 Reflections and Lessons

This story, recorded in Qawlul Badee, teaches us several powerful lessons:

• Guard your tongue: Words have weight in the Hereafter. Careless speech can lead to severe consequences.
• Recite Durood abundantly: It is not just a virtuous act—it becomes a source of protection, even in the grave.
• Spiritual investments matter: Acts of devotion, especially those tied to love for the Prophet ﷺ, manifest in ways we cannot imagine.

 Final Thought

Millions of people overlook the power of Durood. Yet, this simple act can become your intercessor, your protector, and your companion in the most critical moments of your soul’s journey.

Let us make a habit of reciting Sallallaahu Alaihi Wa Sallam regularly, with love and sincerity. It may be the very deed that saves us when we need it most.