بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
و الصلاة و السلام على أشرف المرسلين
و على اله و اصحابه أجمعين
l Qadi Iyadh (rahimahuLlah) reported the Hadith of the Trunk in his book “Ash-Shifa” in which the companions described the intense love and nostalgia of a trunk for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ :
Jabir ibn ‘Abdullah said in the Sahih of al-Bukhari, “The mosque was constructed of the trunks of palm-trees with a roof laid on top of them. When the Prophet ﷺ addressed the people, he would lean against one of the trunks. When the minbar was built for him, we heard that trunk make a sound like a camel.”
In Anas’ version, “Until the mosque was shaken by its moaning.”
In Sahl’s version, “People wept a lot when they saw that.”
In the version of al-Muttalib and Ubayy, “Until it nearly split and burst apart, at which the Prophet came to it and placed his hand on it. Then it was still.”
Another added that the Prophet said, “This trunk is weeping at the remembrance of what it has lost.”
Another added, “By the One who has my soul in His hand, if he had not taken care of it, it would have remained moaning like that until the Day of Rising out of grief for the Messenger of Allah.”
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ commanded that it be buried under the minbar. This is related in the hadiths according to al-Muttalib, Sahl ibn Sa‘d, and Ishaq who have it from Anas. One of the transmissions from Sahl says, “It was buried under the minbar or placed in the roof.” In the hadith of Ubayy, it mentions that when the Prophet ﷺ prayed, the trunk would lean towards him. When the mosque was demolished, Ubayy took it and it remained in his possession until termites consumed it and it turned to dust.
Al-Isfira’ini said, “The Prophet called it to him and it came furrowing the earth, and clung to him. Then he commanded it and it returned to its place.” In the hadith of Burayda, the Prophet said, “If you like, I will put you back in the garden where you were so your roots can grow and your form will be complete and you will have fruit and leaves again. Or, if you like, I will plant you in the Garden so that the friends of Allah can eat from your fruit.” The Prophet listened to hear what it would say. It said, “Yes, plant me in the Garden so that the friends of Allah can eat from me and I will be in a place where I will not decay.” Those who were near it heard what it said. The Prophet said, “I have done it.” The Prophet said, “It has chosen the Lasting Abode over the Passing Abode.”
When al-Hasan ibn ‘Ali told the story, he wept and said, “Slaves of Allah, the wood yearned for the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, longing for him because of his position. You are the ones who should yearn to meet him.” [1]
A poet said :
The trunk felt nostalgia for you
and tears runs down because of you
He cried and complained
because of the loss of your words, He fell ill
How could my heart not fall in love with you
How could not my dream to look at you once
and to meet you the promised day
while my sight enjoys your Paradise
I sacrifice my being and my wealth
and give my soul for eternity
my happiness and the enjoyment of my mind are eternal
If I spend my life in what please you
Beloved of my heart, pardon me, do not blame me
Because Love has no place in your heaven
My sins are holding me back, preventing me to elevate myself
And I want to get closer to you elevation
Maybe my love will elevate my soul
and will renew what have been separated in your passion
[1] As-Shifa, Qadi Iyyad