The Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ once shared an inspiring story with his companions, a story that beautifully illustrated the power of sincere good deeds and Allah’s mercy. He told them of three men who were traveling together, each one devout and faithful in his own way. As they journeyed, the sky darkened and clouds gathered overhead, bringing with them a heavy rainstorm. The men searched for shelter and eventually found a cave nearby. Relieved, they hurried inside to wait for the storm to pass.
However, as soon as they entered the cave, a huge boulder loosened from the mountain above and crashed down in front of the cave, blocking the entrance completely. The three men tried with all their strength to move the rock, but it was far too heavy. The cave was pitch dark, and no one outside knew where they were. They were trapped with no way out, and fear settled in as they realized that escape seemed impossible. Despair began to take over their hearts, and they feared that this cave might become their final resting place.
After some time, one of the men, who had been thinking deeply, said, “Do not lose hope in Allah’s mercy. Let us remember the most virtuous deeds of our lives and pray to Allah sincerely, asking Him to deliver us by virtue of those deeds. Perhaps our prayers will be answered, and Allah will save us from this situation.” The others agreed, finding comfort and renewed hope in his words. They decided that each of them would recall a time when they performed a good deed purely for the sake of Allah, with sincerity, and make their plea based on that.
The First Man’s Story: Devotion to Parents
The first man began to pray earnestly, addressing Allah directly. “O Allah, I had elderly parents, and I loved them dearly. Every evening, after a long day of grazing my goats, I would bring home fresh milk. No matter how tired I was, I would first offer the milk to my parents before giving any to my children or even drinking it myself. My parents had grown frail with age, and I made it my duty to care for them with respect and love.
“One day, I returned home later than usual, and my parents had already fallen asleep. I milked the goats as I did every day and brought the milk to their bedside. I could have woken them up, but I did not wish to disturb their peaceful sleep. So, I stood beside them with the cup of milk in my hand, waiting for them to awaken.
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“Throughout the night, my children cried for milk at my feet, hungry and reaching out for something to drink. But I waited patiently, refusing to give them the milk meant for my parents. I knew the hunger in my children’s cries, but I had resolved to honor my commitment to my parents. Only when they woke up at dawn did I hand them the milk, and they drank with contentment.
“O Allah, if I did this solely for Your sake, in sincerity, seeking only Your pleasure, then please help us escape from this trap.”
As soon as he finished his plea, they felt a small movement. The massive boulder shifted slightly, though it still blocked the entrance. Seeing this, the men’s faith grew stronger, and they were encouraged that Allah was hearing their prayers.
The Second Man’s Story: Resisting Temptation for Allah’s Sake
The second man then stepped forward, closed his eyes, and began his prayer, recounting an incident from his past.
“O Allah, You know that there was a woman I loved deeply, more than words can describe. I was overcome by my desire for her and tried many times to be close to her, but she always refused. Then, during a time of hardship, she approached me and asked for a large sum of money. She was desperate, and I saw it as an opportunity to fulfill my desire, so I offered her the money she needed under the condition that she would be with me.
“With no other options, she reluctantly agreed, and we met in a private place. But just as I was about to commit a sin with her, she looked at me with pain in her eyes and said, ‘Fear Allah, and do not violate my honor without just cause.’ Her words struck my heart like lightning. I felt ashamed and overwhelmed with guilt. At that moment, I knew that my desire was wrong and that I was dishonoring her trust. Despite my longing and the money I had given her, I immediately stepped back, left her alone, and told her to keep the money. I walked away, seeking nothing in return.
“O Allah, if I refrained from sin and abandoned my desire solely for Your sake, then please let us escape from this cave.”
Upon finishing his prayer, the men once again felt the boulder shift, this time moving a little more. But it still was not enough for them to escape. Nonetheless, their spirits were lifted as they realized Allah was listening to them. They waited in hopeful silence as the last man prepared to tell his story.
The Third Man’s Story: Honesty in All Matters
The third man, who had been listening intently to his companions’ stories, took a deep breath and began to speak. He, too, had a memory of a moment when he had done a deed solely for Allah’s sake.
“O Allah, I was a laborer, and one day a poor man came to me, seeking work. I hired him for a small wage and set him to work, and he labored diligently. At the end of the day, when I prepared to pay him his wages, he left without taking the money. I tried to find him, but he had disappeared.
“Years passed, and I used that money to invest and grow. I bought cattle, sheep, and goats, and over time, those animals multiplied until I had a vast herd. Then one day, the man returned, seeking his wages. He was in need, and he came to ask for what he had earned many years ago.
“I did not hesitate. I pointed to the herd of animals and told him, ‘All that you see belongs to you. It is your wage that I invested and grew.’ At first, he was taken aback, thinking it was a jest. But when he realized I was serious, his eyes filled with gratitude, and he took everything that rightfully belonged to him, leaving nothing behind.
“O Allah, if I did this purely for Your sake, with complete honesty, then please deliver us from this ordeal and let us escape from this cave.”
As soon as the third man finished his prayer, they heard a rumble, and the boulder moved yet again. This time, it rolled away completely, leaving the entrance of the cave open. Light flooded in, and the men were filled with relief and joy. They thanked Allah for His mercy and for answering their prayers, allowing them to escape from what had seemed like certain death.
Reflection on the Story
This story, as shared by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, teaches profound lessons on the value of sincerity, integrity, and selflessness. Each man had a choice in the situations they recounted, but they chose to act purely for Allah’s pleasure, without any thought of reward or recognition from others. Their good deeds were acts of devotion, performed in the quiet moments of their lives, seen only by Allah. Yet, when they found themselves in dire need, these sincere deeds became their source of salvation.
Through this story, we learn that no good deed, no matter how small, is ever wasted. When done sincerely, with the intention of seeking Allah’s pleasure, our deeds can become powerful means of blessing and protection in ways we may never anticipate.
Moreover, this story emphasizes the power of dua (supplication) and reliance on Allah. When faced with impossible situations, the men turned to Allah, believing in His mercy and power. Their prayers were answered, reminding us that Allah is always near, ready to respond to those who call upon Him with sincerity and faith.
As the companions listened to the Prophet ﷺ narrate this story, they felt renewed inspiration to cultivate sincerity in their own lives and trust in Allah’s boundless mercy. They understood that every virtuous act, no matter how unnoticed it may seem, has the potential to bring immense blessings and serve as a source of salvation in times of need.
And so, they left the Prophet’s presence that day with hearts filled with gratitude and determination to follow the example set by those three travelers—men who had acted with integrity, honesty, and devotion, solely for the pleasure of Allah.
