MUSTHAB TO PRAY BY VIRTUE OF GOOD DEEDS

Sayyiduna Ibn Umar رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم recounted to them this account (of a people of the past). Three man were going out on foot (somewhere) when rain poured on them. They went aside and into a cave in a mountain. Suddenly, a rock slipped down from the mountain over the opening of the cave and locked them in. (They were worried and panicked.) They said to each other, "Recall the good deeds that you may have performed only for Allah's sake and pray to Allah by virtue of those deeds. He may remove it." Thus, one of them beseeched, "O Allah! I had two parents both very old and some young children. I used to pasture sheep for (all of) them. When I returned home in the evening, I would milk the sheep and give some to my parents before feeding my children. One day, I went away to a long distance for pasture and was late, almost at nightfall, when I milked the sheep as was my wont and brought the milk that I had drawn (to them) and stood besides them. I did not waken them and did not feed the children any milk before them though the children cried at my feet because of hunger. Till dawn, we remained in this position. (O Allah) You know that I did this only for your pleasure, so let there be an opening for us enough to see the sky." So, Allah caused an opening for them to enable them to see the sky. The second man implored, "O Allah, I had a paternal cousin whom I love as dearly as a man can love a woman. So, I invited her to let me have sexual intercourse with her but she declined (to be seduced) until I paid her one hundred dinars. Therefore, I worked hard and I earned one hundred dinars which I took to her (and she agreed to submit herself to me). When I placed myself between her legs, she pleaded, 'O slave of Allah! Fear Allah. do not destroy my virginity. (It is a trust of someone).' So, (I trembled from fear of you, O Allah and) I got up and went away. O Allah you know that I did this to seek your pleasure. Do let us have an opening in it." He made an opening for them. The third pleaded, "O Allah, I had employed a man on (wages of) one fa:'_aq of rice. When he completed his work and demanded his due I paid him what was due, but he did not take it, not being pleased with it. I continued to saw it till I earned from it cattle and a hardsman for them. Later on, he came to me (and demanded his due), saying, 'Fear Allah. Do not be unjust to me.' I said, 'Go to these cattle and their herdsman. (Take them. They are yours); He said, 'Fear Allah. Do not ridicule me.' I said, 'I am not joking with you. Go, take the cattle and the herdsman. (They belong to you)' He took them and departed. (O Allah!) you know that I did this to earn your pleasure. So, open for us what remains." Allah (accepted their prayer and) opened it all for them! [1]