A lady who spoke only in aayats of Quran

The Lady who spoke only in ayats of the Qur’an A remarkable story

The undermentioned incident is narrated by Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu. He was a man of great learning and he lived in the era of the Abbasids. This incident reflects the love and attachment with the Noble Qur’an. It also Manifestates the comprehensiveness of the Noble Qur’an.

An elderly Arab lady was sitting at the trunk of a tree, on the way to Haj. Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu happened to pass that way. He was also heading for Baitullah, for Hajj, and to the Sacred tomb of the Noble Prophet (Sallallaahu alayhi Wasallam). Seeing this lady very disturbed and in a state of despair, (distressed) he spoke to her. The discussion is recorded as follows:

Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu: Assalamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullah

The lady: “The word from a merciful Lord is Peace” (Surah 36 ayat 58). She meant that the reply of salaam is from Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala, Most High, Himself. She said further: “Those whom Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala sendeth astray, there is no guide for them.” (Surah 7 ayat 186). She meant that she has lost her way.

Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu: Where are you coming from?

The lady: “Glorified be He who carried His servant by night from the Musjid-e-Aqsa (invioble place of worship) to the Musjid-e-Haraam” (Far distant place of worship) (Surah 17 ayat 1). She meant that she had come from Musjid-e-Aqsa.

Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu: How long are you in this place?

The lady: “For three nights” (Surah 19 ayat 10).

Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu: What arrangements are made for your food?

The lady: “And who (Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) feedeth me and watereth me” (Surah 26 ayat 79). She meant that somehow or the other, her food is provided to her by Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala.

Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu: Is there any water for Wudhu?

The lady: “And ye find not water, then go to high clean soil and (make tayammum) rub your faces and hands.” (therewith) (Surah 4 ayat 43). She meant that she makes tayammum, due to not finding water.

Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu: Here is some food. Partake of it.

The lady: “Strictly observe the fast till nightfall” (Surah 2 ayat 187). She indicated that she is fasting.

Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu: This is not the month of Ramadaan.


The lady: “And he who does good of his own accord (for him) lo! Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala is responsive, aware”. (Surah 2 ayat158) meaning that I have observed an optional (nafl) fast.

Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu: It is permitted to break the fast when in a journey.

The lady: “And that ye fast is better for you, if you did but know.” (Surah 2 ayat 184)


Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu: Speak like how I speak.

The lady: “He (man) uttereth no word but there is with him an observer ready” (Surah 50 ayat 18). She meant that since every word of a person is observed and recorded, she is taking precaution by speaking only in the words of the Noble Qur’an al kareem.

Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu: Which clan do you belong to?

The lady: “Follow not that whereof thou hast no knowledge, lo! The hearing and the sight and heart of each of these it will be asked” (Surah 17 ayat36). She meant those things that you have no knowledge of, nor do they concern you, you are wasting your strength (senses) by enquiring about them.

Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu: Forgive me. I have certainly made a mistake.

The lady: “Have no fear this day. May Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala forgive you” (Surah 12 ayat 92)

Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu: Would you like to travel on my camel and meet your caravan?

The lady: “And whatsoever good ye do Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala knoweth it” (Surah 2 ayat 197). Meaning that if you will do this good deeds towards me, Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala will recompense you for it.

Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu: Well, then you may mount it. Saying this he made the camel to sit down.

The lady: “Tell the believing men (when confronted by women) to lower their gaze”. (Surah 24 ayat 30). Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu understood and (turned) looked away. While she was mounting, the camel jerked and her clothes got estrangled in the saddle (dorsers) and she proclaimed: “whatever of misfortune striketh you, it is what your hands have earned.” (Surah 42 ayat 30). In other words she was drawing Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak’s radi Allahu anhu attention towards this mishap.

Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu understood and he tied the legs of the camel and he straightened the straps of the saddle (or dorser). She applauded him for his proficiency and capability by saying “And we made Sulaiman alayhis 'salam to understand” (Surah 21 ayat 79). When the journey was about to begin, the lady recited the ayats which are read when undertaking a journey “Glorified be he who hath subdued these unto us, and we were not capable (of subduing them). And lo, unto our Lord we are returning.” (Surah 43 ayat 13). Hadrat Abdullh bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu held the bridle (or nose string) of the camel. He began to hum the (Huddi) famous Arabic song for travelling, and he started walking very fast.

The lady: “Be modest in thy bearing and subdue thy voice” (Surah 31 ayat 19). Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu understood. He began walking slower and he lowered his voice. The lady: “Recite of the Qur’an al kareem that which is easy for you.” She meant that instead of humming the Huddi, he should rather recite the Noble Qur’an al kareem.

Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu began reciting the Noble Qur’an al kareem.

The lady became very pleased and said “but none remember (accept advice) except men of understanding” (Surah 2 ayat 269).

After reciting the Noble Qur’an al kareem for a while, Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu asked (the lady if she had a husband) (if he was alive) “O Aunt, have have you a husband? (meaning is he living)

The lady: “O you who believe, ask not of things which if they were made known unto you, would trouble you” (Surah 5 ayat 101). She meant that no questions should be asked regarding this matter which indicated that her husband has most probably passed away. Finally they (caught up) met the caravan.

Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu: Do you have any son or relative (friend) in this caravan who has connection (contact) with you?

The lady: “Wealth and children are an ornament of life of the world” (Surah 18 ayat 46). She meant that her sons were with this caravan and he has provisions with him.

Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu: What work are your sons doing for the caravan? (Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu’s object for asking was to make it easy for him to recognise her son).

The lady: “And landmarks, and by the star they find a way” (Surah 16 ayat 16). She meant that he is a guide for the caravan.

Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu: Can you tell me their name?

The lady: “Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala chose Ibrahim alayhis 'salam as (for) a friend” (Surah 4 ayat 125). And Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'alaspoke directly unto Moosa alayhis 'salam” (Surah 19 ayat 12). By reciting these ayats the lady informed him that her sons names were Yahya, Ibrahim and Moosa.

Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu called out these names in the caravan and immediately three young people came forward.

The lady: (addressing her children) “Now send one of you with this your silver coin unto the city. And let him see what food is purest there and bring you a supply thereof” (Sura 18 ayat 19) In other words she instructed them to feed Hadrat Abdullah radi Allahu anhu.

When the food was brought, she told Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu: “Eat and drink at ease for that which ye sent on before you in the past days.” (Surah 69 ayat 24), and with this ayat she recited another ayat, the object of which was to convey (show) her gratefulness to him for his good conduct and courtesy. The ayat was: “Is the reward of goodness aught save goodness?” (Surah 55 ayat 60).

Their conversation terminated on this ayat. The lady’s son informed Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu that his mother has been speaking in this manner, i.e. using only the ayats of the Noble Qur’an al kareem in her speech, for the last forty years.


MASHA ALLAH :-)