A Bedouin embraces Islam and then dies

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Qutub Rawandi has narrated from Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.) that the Holy Prophet (S) told his companions during one of his journeys: A person will appear from these passes whom Satan has not visited since three days and have not been able to control him. That same moment a person appeared having such thin stature that he was only a bundle of bones and skin, and his eyes had sunk in his sockets. His lips had become green for eating grass so frequently.

When he came near the army of the Prophet he asked for the Prophet and came to him and asked him to teach the religion of Islam. The Messenger of Allah (S) said: “Say: I testify that there is no god, except Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.” He recited the creed with sincerity. The Holy Prophet (S) told him that he was bound by religion to recite the five daily prayers, fast during the month of Ramadhan and he said: “I accept.”

Then the Prophet said: “Perform the Hajj of the Kaaba, pay Zakat and also perform Ghusl Janabat.” He agreed to following all these things. Then the Holy Prophet (S) moved on and he had not traveled when the camel of that Bedouin lagged behind. The Holy Prophet (S) waited there and inquired about him. Some persons went back to see what had happened to him.

When they reached to the end of the army, they saw that the leg of his camel was stuck in a hole. He was lying there with a broken neck and the Bedouin also lay dead with a broken neck. They told the Messenger of Allah (S) about him and he said: Pitch a tent and give Ghusl to him. After he was bathed, the Holy Prophet (S) went in the tent and shrouded him.

People heard the movements of the Prophet and when he came out, perspiration was dripping from his forehead. The Holy Prophet (S) said that he had died of hunger. And he is from those who brought faith and never smeared their faith with injustice and sin. Therefore Houries of Paradise were competing with each other to insert the fragrance of Paradise in his mouth and were saying: O Prophet, allow me to become the wife of this Bedouin in Paradise.

Reference:Hayat Al-Qulub Vol. 2