The lady who spoke nothing besides the Quran

An elderly Arab lady was sitting at the trunk of a tree, on the way to
Haj. Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA) happened to pass that way. He
was also heading for Baitullah, for Hajj, and tothe Sacred tomb of the
Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu�layhi Wasallam). Seeingthis lady very
disturbed and in a state of despair,(distressed) he spoke to her. The
discussion is recorded as follows:
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Assalamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullah
The lady: "The word from a merciful Lord is Peace" (Surah 36 Aayat
58). She meant that the reply of salaam is from Allah, Most High,
Himself.
She said further: "Those whom Allah sendeth astray, there is no guide
for them." (Surah 7 Aayat 186). She meant that she has lost her way.
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Where areyou 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) (Surah17 Aayat1). She meant that she had
come from Musjid-e-Aqsa.
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): How long are you in this place?
The lady: "For three nights" (Surah 19 Aayat10).
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): What arrangements are made for your food?
The lady: "And who (Allah) feedeth me and watereth me" (Surah 26 Aayat
79). She meant that somehow or the other, her food is provided to her
by Allah.
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): 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 Aayat 43).
She meant that she makes tayammum, due to not finding water.
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Here is some food. Partake of it.
The lady: "Strictly observe the fast till nightfall" (Surah 2 Aayat
187). She indicated that she is fasting.
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): This is not the month of Ramadaan.
The lady: "And he who does good of his own accord (for him) lo!
Allahis responsive, aware". (Surah 2 Aayat158) meaning that I have
observed an optional (nafl) fast.
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): 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 Aayat 184)
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Speak likehow I speak.
The lady: "He (man) uttereth no word but there is with him an observer
ready" (Surah 50 Aayat 18). She meant that since every word of a
person is observed andrecorded, she is taking precaution by speaking
only in the words of the Holy Quran.
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): 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 Aayat36). She meant those things that you have no knowledge
of, nor do they concern you, you are wasting your strength (senses)
byenquiring about them.
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Forgive me. I have certainly made a mistake.
The lady: "Have no fear this day. May Allah forgive you" (Surah 12 Aayat 92)
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Would you like to travel on my
camel and meet your caravan?
The lady: "And whatsoever good ye do Allah knoweth it" (Surah 2 Aayat
197). Meaning that if you will do this good deeds towards me,Allah
will recompense you for it.
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): 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 Aayat 30).
Hadhrat Abdullah understood and (turned)looked away. While she was
mounting, the camel jerked and her clothes got estrangled inthe saddle
(dorsers) and she proclaimed:"whatever of misfortunestriketh you, it
is what your hands have earned." (Surah 42 Aayat30).
In other words she was drawing Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak's (RA)
attention towards this mishap. Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA)
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 to understand" (Surah 21 Aayat 79). When the journey was
about to begin, the lady recited the Aayats 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 Aayat 13).
Hadhrat Abdullh bin Mubarak (RA) 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
Aayat 19). Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA) understood. He began
walking slower and he lowered his voice.
The lady: "Recite of the Quran that which is easy for you." She meant
that instead of humming the Huddi, he should rather recite the Holy
Quran.
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA) began reciting the Holy Quran.
The lady became very pleased and said "but none remember (accept
advice) except men of understanding" (Surah 2Aayat 269).
After reciting the Holy Quran for a while, Hadhrat Abdullah bin
Mubarak (RA) asked (the lady if she had a husband) (if he was alive)
"O Aunt, have haveyou a husband? (meaning is he living)
The lady: "O you who believe, ask not of thingswhich if they were
madeknown unto you, would trouble you" (Surah 5 Aayat 101). She meant
that no questions shouldbe asked regarding this matter which indicated
that her husband has most probably passed away. Finally they (caught
up) met the caravan.
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): 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 Aayat 46). She meant that her sons were with this caravan
and he has provisions with him.
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): What work are your sons doing for
the caravan? (Hadhrat Abdullah'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
Aayat 16). She meant that he is a guide for the caravan.
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Can you tell me their name?
The lady: "Allah chose Ibrahim as (for) a friend"(Surah 4 Aayat 125).
And Allah spoke directly untoMoosa" (Surah 19 Aayat 12). By reciting
these Aayats the lady informedhim that her sons names were Yahya,
Ibrahim andMoosa.
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA) 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 Aayat 19) In other
wordsshe instructed them to feed Hadhrat Abdullah (RA).
When the food was brought, she told Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA):
"Eat and drink at ease for that which ye sent on before you in the
past days." (Surah 69 Aayat 24), and with this Aayat she recited
another Aayat, the object of which was to convey (show) her
gratefulness to him for his good conduct and courtesy. The Aayat
was:"Is the reward of goodness aught save goodness?" (Surah 55 Aayat
60).
Their conversation terminated on this Aayat. The lady's son informed
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA) that his mother has been speaking in
this manner, i.e. using only the Aayats of the Holy Quran in her
speech, for the last forty years.