The Story of Prophet Muhammad SAW Kissing the Hand of a Stone Breaker, Who Turned Out to be a Noble Person

Dream - During his lifetime, the Prophet Muhammad taught many things to his people. Even in his everyday activities, there were lessons full of wisdom for mankind. Among his many stories is the time when he kissed the hand of a stone breaker.

The hand of a stone breaker, who, if we imagine, is someone who works physically hard and dirty, surely there is a special reason why he was kissed by a messenger of Allah SWT. It is even explained in the Book of Fathul Bari:

"The Prophet never kissed the hands of the leaders of the Quraysh, the hands of the tribal leaders, kings, or anyone else. History records only his daughter Fatimah Az-zahra ra and the hand of a stone breaker."

To know the full story, here is a summary by Dream from various sources.

The Story of the Prophet Kissing the Hand of a Stone Breaker

This story is told in a book called Fathul Bari by Sheikhul Islam Al-Hafidz Ibn Hajar Asqalani.

"Once a man passed by the Prophet. The man was known as a diligent and agile worker. The companions then said: "O Messenger of Allah, if working like that can be classified as jihad in the way of Allah (Fi sabilillah), how good it would be."

The Prophet Muhammad heard these words and he answered:

"If he works to support his young children, then it is fi sabilillah. If he works to support his elderly parents, then it is fi sabilillah. If he works for his own benefit so as not to beg, then it is fi sabilillah." (HR At-Thabrani)

Then explained in a hadith by Thabrani:

"Whoever works hard, his sins will be forgiven that evening." (HR. At-Thabrani)

This story began after the Battle of Khandaq ended, then the Prophet met a companion named Sa'id Al-Khudri in a corner of Medina. The companion wore shabby clothes, was dirty, his body was black, and covered in sweat. This is because he worked as a stone breaker in the scorching heat of the sun.

When he met the Prophet, the companion was working as a stone breaker. He did this work to support his children and his wife. When shaking hands with the Prophet, Sa'id felt ashamed of his dirty condition, plus his hands were rough.

"What's wrong with your hand, O Sa'id?" asked the Prophet while holding his hand.

"My hand is blistered, O Messenger of Allah." Sa'id answered while feeling embarrassed.

"My hand is blistered because I have so much work to do." Sa'id added.

The Prophet, who saw Sa'id's condition, was moved by his struggle. He held Sa'id's hand and then kissed it.

"This is a hand that will never be touched by the fire of hell forever." said the Prophet.

At that moment, Sa'id tried to pull his hand back because he felt unworthy of being kissed by the Prophet as a noble person. But the Prophet still held onto his hand and said:

"Let it be, O Sa'id, let this hand be the one that will take you to heaven."

Lessons to be Learned

From the story above, there are lessons that we can learn together. The Prophet Muhammad has taught that the nobility of a person is not judged by the appearance of someone who always looks neat. However, nobility also exists in someone who is a rough and dirty worker.

He does this job in order to support his children and wife with halal sustenance and blessings from Allah SWT.

The Prophet Muhammad said:

"Indeed, among the sins, there are those that cannot be erased by fasting and prayer."

Then, the companions asked:

"What can erase them, O Messenger of Allah?"

The Prophet Muhammad answered:

"Working hard to earn a living."