Mouood Mouood English Edition
It is reported that one day the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.A.) along with one of his companions went to the desert of Medina. He saw an old woman at a well intending to draw water but she could not. The Holy Prophet v went near her saying, “O Old Lady! Would you permit me to draw water for you?” She said,
“If you do good, you will do good for your own souls (17:7)”
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.A.) went to the well, drew up the bucket, filled her water-skin, put it on his shoulder and said to the woman, “Go ahead and show me the way to your tent.” The companion insisted that he should carry the water-skin but the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.A.) said, “I am more deserving than anyone else to carry the load of my nation.”
The old woman led the way and the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.A.) was followed her until they reached her tent. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.A.) put down the water-skin and set out for Medina.
The old woman entered the tent saying to her children, “Get up and bring the water-skin in.” They asked, “O mother! How did you carry this heavy water-skin up to here?” She said, “A sweet-speaking young man carried it for me.” They asked, “Where did he go?” She said, “He went that way.” The children of the old woman went after the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.A.). When they recognized him, they said,“Mother! This is the man you believe in and are eager to see.”
The old woman and her children ran after the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.A.) until they reached him and started kissing his hands. The old woman who was weeping said, “O Allah’s Messenger! I did not recognize you. Forgive me for being insolent to you. How can I apologize?” The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.A.) consoled her, prayed for her children and retuned them kindly. (Manhaj al-Sadiqin: 370/9)
