He Understands All Languages

Our Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم is blessed with countless miracles by Almighty Allah. One of these miracles is the capability to understand the languages of the entire creation and regions too.

Our Beloved Nabi صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم knows everything

Our Beloved Nabi صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم was granted understanding of all languages by Allah Almighty as remarked by Allamah Ahmad Bin Muhammad Saawi رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه:

اَنَّ اللّٰهَ عَلَّمَهٗ جَمِيْعَ اللُّغاتِ ، فَكَانَ يُخَاطِبُ كُلَّ قَوْمٍ بِلُغَتِهِمْ

Translation: Allah Almighty taught him صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم all languages of the world hence he صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would speak to each nation in their regional language.

(Hashiya-tus-Sawi, parah. 13, Surah Ibrahim, Taht-al-Ayah. 4, vol. 3, pp. 1014)

Commentator of Bukhari, Imam Ahmad Bin Muhammad Qastalani رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه made the same remark with a slight variation of words. (Mawahib-ul-La-Duniyah, vol. 2, pp. 53)

Whenever a stranger visited the Holy Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم whose language nobody understood, the Noblest and Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would not only understand it but even reply him in that very language. Here is one example:

The Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم replies in a non-Arabic language

A foreign delegation once visited the most Noble and Glorious Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم in Masjid-ul-Haraam. None of them knew our Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. One of them asked in his mother tongue:  مَن أبون اسيران who among you is the Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ? However, not a single one of the listeners understood what he said. The Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم replied: اَشْكدْأور “Come here towards me.” They approached him صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم and engaged in conversation. The Beloved Nabi صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم responded to them in their native language throughout the conversation. They eventually converted to Islam and pledge allegiance to him (Bay’at) and returned to their native people. (Naseem-ul-Riyaz, vol. 2, pp. 134)

Renowned Quranic commentator Hadrat Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه writes: The Most Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم naturally understands all languages of the world; when he صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم understands the languages of animals, stones and pebbles, then why wouldn’t he صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم understand the languages of [all] humans. (Mirat-ul-Manajeeh, vol. 6, pp. 335)

Woh samajhtay hayn boliyan sab ki, wohi bhartay hayn jholiyan sab ki

Aao Baazar-e-Mustafa ko chalayn, khotay sikkay wahin pay chaltay hayn

Why did the tree walk to him?

Not only did our Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم understand Arabic and all non-Arabic languages but rather he even understood the languages of those who could not speak. Hence:

Sayyiduna Ya’la Bin Murrah رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُما narrated: During one journey the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم was asleep in a certain location. I noticed a tree advance towards him صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم by cutting through the earth eventually shading him صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, thereafter the tree returned to its original location. When the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم awoke I mentioned this event to him to which he صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم responded: “This tree sought permission from its Creator to offer Salam to Rasoolullah صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم (i.e. me); Allah Almighty allowed it (Hence it came to me to say Salam).” (Mishkat-ul-Masabih, vol. 2, pp. 393, Hadees 5922 abridged)

Acclaimed famous Quranic commentator Hakeem-ul-Ummat Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه elaborates on this event [miracle]: The tree did not advance towards me only to shade me (the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم) but rather it wished to say Salam to me (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم). Hence we learn [firstly] that even animals and trees offer Salams to the Noble Nabi صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم and secondly that even while asleep he صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم hears the Salam of any visitor and also responds accordingly. Even today after his apparent demise the entire world offers Salam to him. Thirdly Allah Almighty instructs His creation to visit His Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم in order to offer their Salams. Look, in this particular case the tree sought permission from Allah Almighty before approaching His Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم to offer its Salam.’ (Mirat-ul-Manajeeh, vol. 8, pp. 240)

Apnay Maula ki hay bas shan ‘azeem, janwar bhi karayn jin ki ta’zeem

Sang kartay hayn adab say tasleem, payrr sajday mayn gira kartay hayn 

Rescuing a distressed camel

Sayyiduna Ya’la Bin Murrah رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ narrates: Once on a journey with the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم we encountered some farmers who were bringing water loaded on their camels and watering their land. When the camel noticed the Most Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم it sobbed and lowered its head in front of him صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. ‘Where is the owner of this camel?’, Allah’s Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم enquired whilst standing next to the camel. When the owner stepped forward the Beloved Nabi صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said: ‘Do you wish to sell your camel? ‘No’, the man replied, ‘rather it is a gift for you.’ The man further elaborated: ‘It belongs to a family that has no assets other than this camel.’

Allah’s Holiest Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم remarked: ‘This camel has complained that you overburden it with an extensive workload and do not feed it adequately. Treat it properly.’

Hakeem-ul-Ummat Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه elaborates on this glorious Hadith: “We learnt a few rulings here: Firstly; our Glorious Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم even understands the languages of animals. Sayyiduna Sulayman عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم only would understand the languages of birds and ants whereas the Noblest Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم understands the languages of trees, stones, [rather] all land and sea creatures. Secondly; our Glorious Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم is a ‘Haajat-rawaa (helper) and Mushkil-Kusha (problem solver), even animals believe this to be true. Hence any human being who despite being a Muslim does not believe the Holy Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم being the ‘helper’ and ‘problem solver’ is worse than animals. Thirdly; even animals used to submit their appeals for help in the majestic court of Allah’s Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم.

Han yahin karti hayn chirryaan faryaad, han yahin chahti hay hirni daad

Isi dar par shutraan-e-naashaad, gila-e-ranj-o-‘anaa kartay hayn

Therefore you should share all your miseries and pains with the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم and plea to him [for relief].’ (Mirat-ul-Manajeeh, vol. 8, pp. 239)

This is where birds appeal

Sayyiduna Abdullah Bin Mas’ood رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ narrates: During one particular journey with Allah’s Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم we witnessed the Beloved Nabi صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم proceed to a concealed location in order to relieve his blessed self. Meanwhile, we noticed a bird with its two chicks. We caught the chicks; subsequently, the bird came fluttering with agitation. When the Holy Nabi صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم returned, he enquired: “Who has troubled this bird regarding its chicks? Return its chicks.’ (Abu Dawood, vol. 3, pp. 75, Hadees 2675)

The deer’s appeal

Sayyiduna Zayd Bin Arqam رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ narrates: One day I passed by a Bedouin’s tent in the blessed company of Allah’s Most Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم and he صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم noticed a tied deer. As soon as the deer noticed ‘the saviour of the helpless’ it pleaded: ‘O Rasoolullah صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم the Bedouin (villager) who occupies this tent captured me in a forest before bringing me here, and I have two fawns [children] that have been abandoned (left behind) in the forest. The milk in my teats is thickening, this man neither slaughters me to emancipate [free] me from this pain nor does he release me to return to my fawns in order to feed them.’ Hearing the deer’s plea the ‘Saviour of the Powerless’ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم responded: ‘If I set you free will you return once you have fed your milk to your fawns?’ ‘

Yes O Rasoolullah صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم I shall most certainly return, and if I don’t then may Allah Almighty inflict the same torment upon me that He عَزَّوَجَلَّ inflicts upon unjust tax-collectors.’ It answered. As soon as Allah’s Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم released the deer it fled rapidly and anxiously in the direction of the forest and returned in a short while later. He صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم tied it to the tent. By then the Bedouin approached the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم carrying a mashkeezah[1] of water. He صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said: ‘Sell this deer to me.’ ‘O Rasoolullah صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم please accept it as hadiyyah (gift).’ Subsequently, he صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم released the deer. Sayyiduna Zayd Bin Arqam رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ narrates: ‘I swear by Allah Almighty! I witnessed that the deer was reciting the glorious Kalimah whilst it proceeded towards the forest.’

Eminent Quranic commentator Hakeem-Ul-Ummat Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه elaborates: ‘Our Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم knew all languages throughout his glorious life, including the languages of sticks and stones, animals would plead to him صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, even today he is aware of absolutely all languages. At his glorious shrine today every beseecher implores and begs him صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم in his (beseecher’s) native tongue, interpreting is not required there.’ (Mirat-ul-Manajeeh, vol. 1, pp. 135)

The Faith proclaiming Iguana [lizard

Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُمَا narrates: A Bedouin from the Bani-Sulaym-tribe approached Allah’s Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم and remarked: “I will not believe you until this iguana of mine believes (that you are Allah’s Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم).” After which he placed the iguana in front of him صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. He صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم addressed the iguana. لَبَّيْكَ وَ سَعْدَيْكَ  it responded in such an audible voice that was heard by all those present. Following this he صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم enquired:  ‘Who is your God?’ The iguana replied, ‘My God is the One whose Arsh (throne) is in the sky and whose sovereignty is on the earth, His mercy is in Heaven and His torment in Hell.” He صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم asked again: ‘O iguana! Tell me who am I?’ The iguana proclaimed aloud:

اَنْتَ رَسُوْلُ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِيْنَ وَ خَاتَمُ النَّبِيِّيْنَ

‘You are the Rasool of the Lord of all worlds and the final Nabi’

قَدْ اَفْلَحَ مَنْ صَدَّقَكَ

‘Whoever believes you has attained success.’

وَ قَدْ خَابَ مَنْ كَذَّبَكَ

‘And whoever denies you is doomed.’

Witnessing this spectacle the Bedouin (villager) was so inspired that he instantly recited the Kalimah (the statement of faith) and became a Muslim. Thereafter he declared: ‘O Allah’s Rasool (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم) when I [first] approached you, there was no man on the face of this earth that I despised more than you, but at this moment my state is that I love you more than my own life and my parents.” He صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم replied: ‘All praise is for the Lord Who guided you to a religion that will forever remain dominant and never be dominated [subjugated].’ Following which he صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم taught the man Surah Fatihah and Surah Ikhlaas. Hearing these two Quranic Surahs the Bedouin remarked: ‘I have heard every type of speech, the most eloquent and articulate, long and short, but I swear by Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ! Never have I heard any speech more superior and better than this.’ (Mu’jam-e-Awsat, vol. 4, pp. 283, Hadees 5996 abridged)