The Neighbor’s Journey

In the heart of Egypt, there lived a humble, religious man. He led a simple life, devoted to his prayers and daily routines, until one night, something remarkable happened that would change not only his life but also the life of someone he barely knew.

### **The Dream That Wouldn't Fade**

One night, as he slept, he had a vivid dream. In it, a mysterious figure appeared and spoke with clear urgency, saying, "Take your neighbor with you on Umrah, and do not say this is a dream." The man woke up confused, unsure of what to make of this dream. It was unlike anything he had ever experienced before, but he dismissed it as just a figment of his imagination.

The next night, however, the same dream came again, with the same mysterious figure repeating the message: "Take your neighbor with you to Umrah, and do not dismiss this as just a dream." The dream was so intense and so lifelike that the man felt unsettled. Could it be a sign? Was he meant to take his neighbor?

In search of clarity, he consulted a local dream interpreter. After listening carefully, the interpreter advised him, "If you dream this a third time, you should follow the message and take your neighbor with you." When asked about his neighbor, the man admitted, "Yes, I know him, but I have never seen him at the mosque or in prayer."

### **A Neighbor in Need**

As expected, the third night brought the same dream, and with it, the man knew what he had to do. He made his way to his neighbor’s house the next day and knocked on the door. When his neighbor opened it, the man smiled warmly, despite his nerves.

"As-salaam alaikum, my neighbor. How are you?" he began. After exchanging pleasantries, he finally said, "I have come to ask if you would join me on Umrah."

The neighbor was taken aback. "Me? I don't even know how to pray. Why would I go to Umrah?" The man gently reassured him, "Don't worry, I will teach you everything you need to know." Still hesitant, the neighbor replied, "I don't even know how to perform wudu."

With unwavering confidence, the man responded, "I will teach you. And I will cover all the expenses. You don't need to worry about anything."

Touched by this unexpected kindness, the neighbor agreed. Over the next few days, the religious man taught him how to make wudu and how to pray. They prepared together, and soon, they set off for the holy city of Mecca.

### **A Spiritual Awakening**

Upon arriving in Mecca, the man stayed close to his neighbor, guiding him every step of the way. The neighbor, who had never before immersed himself in spiritual rituals, began to reflect deeply on his life. In the sacred city, his heart softened, and he felt a connection to something greater than himself. One evening, in their hotel room, the neighbor said, "My brother, I have wasted so many years of my life. Let me go to the Haram and spend some time alone."

The man smiled and encouraged him, "Absolutely. Go and take your time."

The first day, the neighbor returned after only a short while. But on the second day, he stayed much longer—and this time, he didn’t return. Concerned, the man went out searching for him, only to discover the heartbreaking news: his neighbor had passed away in the Haram, the most sacred place on Earth, in a state of purity and reflection.

The family in Egypt was shocked by the news, but they decided to honor their beloved’s final moments by allowing the Janazah (funeral prayer) and burial to take place in Mecca—a rare and blessed ending.

### **The Mystery of His Life**

Days after the burial, the religious man couldn’t stop thinking about his neighbor. What was it about him? he wondered. He didn’t pray, yet he passed away in the holiest place on Earth.

Determined to find answers, he visited the neighbor's wife. "My sister," he began gently, "when I asked your husband to go to Umrah with me, I didn’t know him well. I only took him because I had those dreams. But now, after everything, I need to know—what was his secret? Who was your husband?"

The wife smiled sadly and said, "He was a kind soul. He wasn’t known for his prayers, it’s true. But there was one thing he always did. There is an elderly woman in the neighborhood. He would run errands for her, and every month, he gave her part of his salary. He never asked for anything in return, but she always made one du’a for him: 'May Allah give you a good ending.' That was all she could offer, and it was the only thing she ever asked for him."

The man listened in awe. It was clear now. The secret of his neighbor’s blessed ending was not in grand gestures of faith but in the sincere, quiet kindness he had shown to someone in need. His deeds had earned him a good ending, just as the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had said: "A person may do the deeds of the people of the Fire, but then the writing proceeds, and he does the deeds of the people of Paradise and enters it."

The man left the house with a heart full of reflection. He had learned an unforgettable lesson—that sometimes, it is the small acts of kindness that can lead a person to the greatest blessings.

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This story serves as a powerful reminder of how life's true value may lie in simple acts of kindness and the unexpected ways we can earn Allah’s mercy. Sometimes, redemption finds us when we least expect it.