Imaam Si’dee and the Camel-Driver’s Pack of Cigarettes
January 21, 2015 § Leave a comment
“When the people of ’Unaizah bought firewood, the camel-driver would bring it inside the house and after he’d finished the household he brought it to would leave some water and dates for him. Upon eating and drinking, the camel-driver would close the house’s door firmly intending thereby to let them know that he had left. One time the Shaikh رحمه الله [i.e., Imaam Si’dee, who was ’Uthaimeen’s teacher] bought some firewood and when the camel-driver left, our father [Imaam Si’dee] came out intending to close the door behind him.
On his way to the door, the Shaikh found a pack of cigarettes in the courtyard which the camel-driver had dropped, so he took the pack, opened the door and called him, saying, ‘Is this yours?’
After some hesitation the camel-driver replied, ‘Yes, it’s mine. But, O Shaikh, do you know what’s inside it?’
The Shaikh said, “Yes, cigarettes.’
‘And you’re giving them to me, O Shaikh?’ said the camel-driver.
‘Yes, because if you don’t find this pack you’ll go and buy another one with the money you made by selling that firewood and you will then cause your children to go hungry and prevent them from getting some sustenance—and Allaah سبحانه is the One who guides.’
So the camel-driver said, ‘Bismillaah …,’ took the pack and threw out the cigarettes that were inside, saying ‘O Allaah! I turn in repentance to You and I will never smoke again.’”
Mawaaqif Ijtimaa’iyah min Hayaatish-Shaikh, al-’Allaamah ’Abdir-Rahmaan bin Naasir as-Si’dee, pp. 68-69.
Gifts of Knowledge 
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