The Tree That Cried

The Story

In the masjid in Madinah, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ had a favourite spot. Every Friday, he would stand beside a tall date-palm tree, lean against its trunk, and speak to the people about Allah.

His voice was warm, his words gentle. And the old tree stood close — holding him up, week after week.

One day, the companions had a kind idea. They asked the Prophet ﷺ if they could build him a minbar — a small pulpit with steps — so everyone could see and hear him better.

He told them yes, if they wished. So they built one, three steps high, and they were proud of their gift.

The next Friday, the Prophet ﷺ walked past the date-palm and climbed the new minbar instead.

And then everyone heard something strange. A sound — soft and sad, like a little child crying. The companions looked all around. Where was it coming from?

It was the tree.

The Prophet ﷺ did not wait. He stepped down from the minbar, walked straight to the tree, and wrapped his arms around it.

He held it close — the way you hold someone who is really, really sad. Slowly, the crying softened. The tree grew calm and still.

Then the Prophet ﷺ turned to his companions and told them why.

'It is crying,' he said, 'because it misses being close to me — and hearing the words of Allah.'

The tree could not speak. It could not follow him. But it could feel. And it missed him.

Even a tall, strong tree could miss someone it loved. And when it felt sad, the Prophet ﷺ came back and gave it a hug.

That is the heart he taught us to have. When someone around us is hurting — we don't look away. We show up. 🌴

Dua of the Week: Dua for a Heart Close to Allah

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ حُبَّكَ وَحُبَّ مَنْ يُحِبُّكَ وَحُبَّ عَمَلٍ يُقَرِّبُ إِلَىٰ حُبِّكَ

Allahumma inni as'aluka hubbaka wa hubba man yuhibbuka wa hubba 'amalin yuqarribu ila hubbik

"O Allah, I ask You for Your love, the love of those who love You, and the love of every deed that brings me closer to Your love."

This dua asks Allah for the thing the little tree wanted most — to love Him and stay close to Him.

Quran Verse: Surah Al-Isra 17:44

وَإِن مِّن شَيْءٍ إِلَّا يُسَبِّحُ بِحَمْدِهِ وَلَٰكِن لَّا تَفْقَهُونَ تَسْبِيحَهُمْ

"There is not a single thing that does not glorify His praise — but you do not understand the way they glorify Him."

Family Discussion

The tree never said a single word — but the Prophet ﷺ still knew it was sad. How can you tell when someone in your family is sad, even when they don't say anything?

Good Deed Challenge

This week, find someone who looks sad or lonely — and give them the biggest hug you can. Or look them right in the eyes and say, 'I'm so happy you're here.' Then watch their whole face change.

Sources: Sahih al-Bukhari 3583, 3584, 3585, Sahih al-Bukhari 918 (Jumu'ah) and 2095 (Buyu'), Sunan Ibn Majah 1414; Musnad Ahmad