An unauthentic story about Prophet Moosa's companion in Paradise

7-4-2014 | IslamWeb

Question:

Salam u Alaikum I have heard a story about Prophet Mousa asking Allah about his neighbor in Jannah, and Jibrael told him that he was a butcher and used to take good care of his mother. Due to his this kind act, Allah gave him a house besides Prophet Mousa. Is this story authentic. Please reply with authentic evidence.

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

We have searched in the references available for us, but we could not find researching scholars who considered this incident authentic or who mentioned it in their writings except Shams-ud-Deen Abu Al-Khayr ibn Al-Jazari (d. 833 A.H.). He cited this story without mentioning its chain of narration in his book Az-Zahr Al-Faa’ih fi Thikr man Tanazzah ‘an Ath-Thunoob wal-Qabaa’ih:

“It was said that once Moosa (Moses) asked his Lord to show him his companion in Paradise. Allaah, The Exalted, revealed to him, “O Moosa! Go to such-and-such town and you shall see your companion in Paradise.” Moosa set out and arrived at the town. He met a young man on the way, so Moosa greeted him and said, "Peace be upon you. I am your guest tonight." The young man said, “If you accept what I shall offer you, I shall welcome you in my house and show hospitality to you.” Moosa said, “I accept what you offer me.”

The young man agreed to have him as his guest for that night and took him to his shop. He was a butcher; he asked him to sit until he finishes his selling and buying. As he was cutting the meat, he would put all the fat and bone marrow aside. Then, after he had finished his work, he took Moosa to a house and cooked the fat and bone marrow.

Then, the young man went inside a house where there were two large baskets hanging from the ceiling. He carefully brought down one of the two. There was an old man inside that basket whose eyebrows above his eyes had fallen from old age. He took him out of the basket, washed his face and clothes and scented them with incense. He, then, clothed the old man, took some bread and broke it to pieces then poured the fat and bone marrow on it and fed the old man until he was full and gave him water to drink until he was satisfied. The old man said, “O my son! May Allaah never cause your efforts with me to go unrewarded and may He make you the companion of Moosa ibn (son of) ‘Imraan in Paradise!” Then, the young man brought down the second basket, and there was an old woman inside it. He did the same with her and she said, “Praise be to Allaah, my dear son; may Allaah never cause your efforts with me to go unrewarded and may He make you the companion of Moosa ibn ‘Imraan in Paradise!” The young man, then, put the baskets back in place.

Moosa left the house with tearful eyes, feeling pity for the old parents. The young man followed him and brought food for him. Prophet Moosa said, “My brother, I am in no need of your food, but I have asked Allaah to show me my companion in Paradise and He revealed to me that you shall be him.” The young man exclaimed, “Who are you; may Allaah have mercy upon you?” He said, “I am Moosa ibn ‘Imraan.” The young man fell to the ground unconscious. He entered upon his parents and told them that Allaah Almighty has answered their supplications and that it was Moosa himself who informed him that as Allaah revealed to him. Upon hearing that, they both gasped and passed away.” Prophet Moosa washed them (their dead bodies) and performed the funeral prayer over them. The young man accompanied Prophet Moosa until he died .”

Allaah Knows best.