5. Would you like to meet him outside the institution? (cont.)

I couldn't even imagine the amazing effect it would have on people's hearts. Someone replied saying, "By Allah, I cried as I read your message. Thank you for remembering me in your supplication." Another wrote, "By Allah, dear Abu Abd al-Rahman, I do not know what to say in reply. But, may Allah reward you with good." Yet another replied, "I ask Allah to accept your prayers. By Allah, we will never forget you." In reality, we do need to occasionally remind people that we love them, and that the numerous problems in the world have not made us forget them. This much can be done via something as simple as sending text messages. You can send text messages to your loved ones saying: "I prayed for you between the Adhan and Iqamah…", or "on the last hour of Friday". If your intention is pure, then this would not constitute making a display of good deeds or showing off. This would only result in greater love and respect between the Muslims. I recall once giving a lecture at a summer camp in Ta'if, on ash-Shafa Mountain, which is a picnicking site where many young people gather. Most of the attendees there were young people who looked very righteous. Other youngsters also remained around the picnic sites, busy with entertainment and music. When the lecture ended, a group of young men came forward to greet me. Amongst them was a young man who had an odd hairstyle and was wearing tight jeans. He came up to me, shook my hand and greeted me. I warmly returned his greetings and thanked him for attending. I shook his hand and said, "You have the face of a preacher". He smiled and went away. Two weeks later, I was surprised by a phone call. The speaker said, "Do you not recognise me? I am the one to whom you said 'you have the Show them that you want the best for them face of a preacher'. By Allah, I will become a preacher, if Allah wills." He then began to open up to me and explain to me his inner sentiments. Do you see how people are affected by truthful expressions and love? As for the Messenger of Allah , he would captivate people's hearts merely by the charm of his manners and his ability to demonstrate his true love for them. Abu Bakr and 'Umar were the best of the Companions. They would always compete with each other in good. Abu Bakr would mostly surpass 'Umar. If 'Umar were to be early for prayer, he would find thatAbu Bakr had already preceded him. If he were to feed a poor person, he would find that Abu Bakr had already done the same before him. If he were to stay awake the night praying, he would find thatAbu Bakr had surpassed him yet again. Once, the Prophet ordered the people to give charity, in order to alleviate a hardship the Muslims were facing. It happened that at the time 'Umar was very affluent, and so he decided, "Today, I will surpass Abu Bakr, if I am ever to surpass him at all." 'Umar then went and brought half of his wealth and gave it to the Messenger of Allah – may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him. What was the first thing the Prophet said to 'Umar upon seeing this wealth? Did he ask him how much it was? Did he ask him about the type of gold and silver? No. Rather, when he saw the amount of wealth, he said words from which 'Umar gathered that he was beloved to the Messenger of Allah – may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him. He said to 'Umar, "What did you leave behind for your fam25 Show them that you want the best for them ily, O 'Umar?" 'Umar said, "O Messenger of Allah, I have left behind its like for my family." 'Umar then sat next to the Messenger of Allah enthusiastically waiting for Abu Bakr. Then came Abu Bakr with plenty of wealth, and gave it to the Messenger of Allah whilst 'Umar remained standing in his place, watching Abu Bakr and listening to the discussion that took place thereafter. The Prophet , before looking at his wealth to see what he might have required, asked Abu Bakr: "O Abu Bakr, what did you leave behind for your family?" Yes, he loved Abu Bakr and loved his family, and therefore did not want him to suffer any hardship.Abu Bakr said in response: "O Messenger of Allah, I left for them Allah and His Messenger." He came with all of his wealth. Not half, nor a quarter, but all! 'Umar then had no choice but to say, "This is no shock. I will never be able to surpass Abu Bakr!" The people would love the Prophet intensely as they felt that he loved them. The Prophet once prayed with them, and shortened his prayer noticeably.