Sa‘eed ibn Al-Musayab and Abu Salamah ibn ‘Abdur-Rahmaan, may Allaah be pleased with them, reported that they heard Abu Hurairah, may Allaah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allaah, peace and blessing be upon him, said: "A person had been driving an ox loaded with luggage. The ox looked towards him and said: I have not been created for this but for lands (i.e. for ploughing the land and for drawing out water from the wells for the purpose of irrigating the lands). The people said with surprise and awe: Glorified and Exalted be Allaah, does the ox speak? The Messenger of Allaah, peace and blessing be upon him, said: I believe it and so do Abu Bakr and 'Umar. Abu Hurairah, may Allaah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allaah, peace and blessing be upon him, said: "A shepherd was tendering the flock when a wolf came there and took away one goat. The shepherd pursued it (the wolf) and rescued it (the goat) from that (wolf). The wolf looked towards him and said: Who would save it on the day when there will be no shepherd except me? Thereupon people said: Glorified and Exalted be Allaah. Thereupon the Messenger of Allaah, peace and blessing be upon him, said: "I believe in it and so do Abu Bakr and ‘Umar believe."

In another narration, the Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him, said: "I believe in it and so do Abu Bakr and ‘Umar, but they were not at that time present there." (1).

Amongst the lessons drawn from the above-mentioned Hadeeth:

1- An-Nawawi, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: As for the saying of the Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him, "I believe in it and so do Abu Bakr and ‘Umar, but they were not at that time present there", scholars said, he, peace and blessing be upon him, said so because he is certain of the truthfulness and soundness of their faith and belief. Actually, this Hadeeth refers to the great virtue of Abu Bakr and ‘Umar, may Allaah be pleased with them.

2- This Hadeeth indicates that Karaamaat (i.e. supernatural abilities or event) of the Awliyaa'(2) is something permissible. Actually, it is the belief of the people of the right path (3). 

3- Scholars have said that words of the ox cannot be taken into consideration nor acted upon for it is permissible to carry things on the ox and used it in ploughing the land as well if this is within its capacity and ability.

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(1)         Reported in Saheeh Al-Bukhaari No. (2324) and Saheeh Muslim No. (2388) and the wording reported by the latter. 

(2)         Awliyaa' of Allaah [i.e. those who believe in the Oneness of Allaah and fear Allaah much (abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has forbidden), and love Allaah much (perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained)]. (Translator)

(3)         Sharh An-Nawawi ala Saheeh Muslim (15/157).

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