The Prayer of Abu Mulaik (ra.) to be Protected from Thieves, a Prayer That Was Answered
There was a companion named Abu Mulaik who was honest and pious. While engaged in trade, he encountered an armed thief. Despite the thief’s threat, Abu Mulaik remained calm.
The thief said: “–Give me what you have, or I will kill you.”
Abu Mulaik replied: “–If your intention is to take my wealth, then take it!” The thief insisted: “–I only want your life.” Then Abu Mulaik:
requested, “Please allow me to pray a little.” The thief permitted him.
ABU MULAIK’S (RA.) ANSWERED PRAYER
After Abu Mulaik performed his prayer, he made the following supplication:
يَا وَدُودُ يَا ذَاالْعَرْشِ الْمَجِيدِ يَا فَعَّالًا لِمَا يُرِيدُ اَسْاَلُكَ بِعِزَّتِكَ الَّتى۪ لَا تُرَامُ وَمُلْكِكَ الَّذ۪ى لَا يُضَامُ وَبِنُورِكَ الَّذ۪ى مَلَأَ اَرْكَانَ عَرْشِكَ اَنْ تَكْفِيَنى۪ شَرَّ هٰذَا (اللِّصِّ) يَا مُغِيثُ اَغِثْنى۪
“O Most Beloved! O Lord of the Majestic Throne! O He who does what He wills! I ask You by Your majesty that cannot be transgressed, and Your kingdom that cannot be diminished, and by Your light that fills the pillars of Your throne, to protect me from the evil of this (thief)! O Allah, the One who grants relief, grant me relief!”
Abu Mulaik repeated this supplication three times. No sooner had he finished his supplication than a rider appeared, holding a javelin at the thief’s ears and killed him.
Abu Mulaik, who was saved by Allah’s grace, asked the rider: “–Who are you? Allah made you an instrument to help me!” The rider replied:
“–I am from the people of the fourth heaven. When I heard your first supplication, I heard the gates of the heavens crackling. When you made your second supplication, I heard the clamor of the celestial beings. When you made your third supplication, it was said, ‘Someone in distress is making a prayer!’ Upon hearing that, I asked Allah to appoint me to kill the thief. Allah accepted my request and I came. Know that whoever performs ablution, prays four rak’ahs, and makes this supplication, his prayer will be accepted, whether he is in distress or not.” (Ibn Hajar, al-Isabah, IV, 182)