The Sad Stump
The palm trunk that cried when the Prophet ﷺ stopped leaning on it, and stopped when he hugged it, in a rhyming audiobook for young children.
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What is The Sad Stump about?
The Sad Stump is an Islamic audiobook for children that retells, in rhyme, the miracle of the date-palm trunk that cried when the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ stopped leaning on it, as reported in Sahih al-Bukhari.
The little stump is as happy as can be, because he has the best job in the world. He is a pillar in the masjid where the Prophet ﷺ prays, holding up the roof for the Muslims every night and day. What he loves most is the Prophet's ﷺ gentle touch: each week he waits patiently for the Friday sermon to begin, because the Prophet ﷺ leans on him as he speaks.
Then one Friday, the stump sees that the Prophet's ﷺ place has been moved away from him. He misses the Prophet ﷺ so much that his heart breaks in two, and he begins to sob, louder and louder, until everyone in the masjid wonders who has been hurt. The Prophet ﷺ tells the people that it is the little date stump crying. He walks over to it and gives it a big, loving hug, and the stump sheds no more tears.
The story is short and gentle, with a happy ending. It shows young children how much even the things around the Prophet ﷺ loved him, and how kind he was to all of Allah's creation. Written by Razana Noor, illustrated by Rahima Begum and read by Penelope Rawlins, it is about 2 minutes long and music-free.
What your child will learn
- Even a tree trunk loved the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
- The Prophet ﷺ was gentle and kind, and he comforted those who were sad.
- Friday is a special day, when Muslims gather in the masjid to hear the sermon and pray.
Where this audiobook comes from
- Sahih al-Bukhari 3583: The Prophet ﷺ used to stand by a date-palm trunk for the Friday sermon. When a pulpit was made for him, the trunk cried like a child until he came down and held it.
Talk about it afterwards
- Why did the stump love his job in the masjid?
- Why did the stump start to cry?
- What did the Prophet ﷺ do when he heard the crying?
- How can we comfort someone who is sad?
Words to know
- Masjid
- A mosque, the place where Muslims pray together.
Frequently asked questions
Is The Sad Stump based on a hadith?
Yes. The crying date-palm trunk is reported in Sahih al-Bukhari. When a pulpit was made for the Prophet ﷺ, the trunk he used to lean on cried until he came to it and held it.
How long is The Sad Stump?
About 2 minutes.
Does The Sad Stump have music?
No. It is music-free.
