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Jabir ibn Abdullah was a young man from the Ansar of Medina. At just sixteen years old, he faced responsibilities that would weigh heavily on anyone's shoulders.

His father, Abdullah ibn Amr ibn Haram, had been martyred in the Battle of Uhud, leaving Jabir with significant debts to settle and seven younger sisters to care for.

His only worldly possession was an old, weak camel—a symbol of his strained circumstances.

An Unexpected Companion

Returning from the Dhat al-Riqa expedition, Jabir found himself trailing behind the army, his camel unable to keep pace.

Immersed in his thoughts, he suddenly heard a voice call out, "Who is that at the back?"

He looked up to see the radiant face of the Prophet ﷺ approaching him. "It is Jabir, O Messenger of Allah," he replied.

Noticing the sadness etched on Jabir's face, the Prophet ﷺ gently asked, "Why do I see you so downcast?"

Jabir opened up about his father's death, the debts he had inherited, and his sisters' responsibilities.

The Prophet ﷺ listened attentively.

A Conversation to Uplift the Spirit

Seeking to lift Jabir's spirits, the Prophet ﷺ asked, "Have you married, O Jabir?"

Surprised by the question, Jabir responded, "Yes, I have." The Prophet ﷺ continued,

"Did you marry a young woman or someone more mature?" Jabir replied, "I married a widow."

"The Prophet ﷺ smiled warmly and said, “Why not with a young girl with whom you could sport, and she could have sported with you?”

He simply meant someone at his mental and emotional level, someone similar with whom he could share laughter and mutual understanding.

Jabir explained, "O Messenger of Allah, my father passed away, leaving behind young daughters. I did not want to bring someone close to their age into the household. I needed someone who could help me care for them."

The Prophet ﷺ nodded in understanding, his eyes reflecting approval. "You have done well," he affirmed.

This acknowledgment validated Jabir's selfless decision and helped uplift him.

The Camel Transformed

Noticing the state of Jabir's camel, the Prophet ﷺ offered assistance.

He asked Jabir to dismount, then gently touched the camel and invoked blessings upon it.

Miraculously, the feeble animal became invigorated, moving with a newfound speed that astonished Jabir.

The young man's heart lightened as he rode alongside the Prophet ﷺ, his worries momentarily forgotten.

A Playful Negotiation

As they journeyed together, the Prophet ﷺ turned to Jabir with a playful glint in his eye.

"Will you sell me your camel, O Jabir?" he asked.

Jabir hesitated, aware that the camel was his sole means of transportation and livelihood.

"O Messenger of Allah, it is the only camel I have," he replied honestly.

The Prophet ﷺ persisted gently, "Sell it to me, Jabir."

Not wanting to refuse the Prophet ﷺ but also mindful of his own needs,

Jabir offered, "Then it is yours, O Messenger of Allah."

"No," the Prophet ﷺ insisted kindly, "Let's agree on a price."

They began a light-hearted negotiation. "One dirham?" the Prophet ﷺ suggested with a smile. Jabir laughed softly,

"That would not be fair, O Messenger of Allah."

"Two dirhams then?" the Prophet ﷺ continued, maintaining a cheerful tone.

The friendly bargaining continued until they settled on forty dirhams—a fair and reasonable price.

Jabir added a condition, "Allow me to ride it back to Medina." The Prophet ﷺ agreed without hesitation.

Throughout this exchange, the Prophet ﷺ was not merely conducting a transaction; he was engaging Jabir in a manner that lifted his spirits, making him feel valued and respected.

An Unexpected Gift

Upon reaching Medina, Jabir dutifully brought the camel to the Prophet ﷺ and received the agreed-upon payment.

As he prepared to leave, the Prophet ﷺ called out, "O Jabir, where are you going?"

Jabir turned back, "Home, O Messenger of Allah."

The Prophet ﷺ handed him the reins of the camel and said, "Take your camel; it is yours. The payment is yours as well."

Jabir was taken aback.

The Prophet ﷺ had orchestrated this entire interaction to provide for Jabir without making him feel the discomfort of accepting charity upfront.

The story of Jabir and the Prophet ﷺ is a timeless reminder of the profound impact that empathy and compassion can have on the lives of others.

Even while leading an entire army, the Prophet ﷺ noticed Jabir lagging, burdened by silent struggles.

This attentiveness speaks volumes about his emotional awareness and deep empathy.

He recognized the hardships weighing on a young man's heart and found a way to alleviate them, meeting him at his level.

By engaging Jabir in sincere conversation, sharing moments of humor, and treating him with genuine respect, the Prophet ﷺ transformed Jabir's outlook and restored his hope.

This profound gesture exemplifies the unparalleled compassion and wisdom of the Prophet ﷺ.