The Sad Stump
The date-palm stump that held up the Prophet's ﷺ mosque cries when he stops leaning on it, in a rhyming picture book from a hadith, for ages 4 to 9.
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What is The Sad Stump about?
The Sad Stump is an Islamic picture book for children aged 4 to 9 that retells, in rhyme, the miracle of the date-palm trunk that cried for the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, as reported in Sahih al-Bukhari.
The little stump is as happy as can be, because he has the best job a tree could have. He is a pillar in the mosque where the Prophet ﷺ prays, holding up the roof for the Muslims every night and day. What he loves most is the Friday sermon, when the Prophet ﷺ leans on him as he speaks.
Then, one Friday, the Prophet's ﷺ place has been moved away. The little stump misses him so much that his heart breaks in two, and he begins to sob, louder and louder, until everyone in the mosque wonders who is hurt. The Prophet ﷺ tells the people that it is the date stump crying, walks over to it and gives it a big, loving hug, and the stump's tears stop.
The story shows children how much the Prophet ﷺ was loved, even by a tree, and how gentle and caring he was in return. It is a short, lively way to introduce one of the miracles of the Prophet ﷺ, and to talk about his mosque in Madinah and the Friday sermon.
It is written by Razana Noor and illustrated by Rahima Begum.
What your child will learn
- Even a tree loved the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
- The Prophet ﷺ was gentle and caring, and he comforted those who were sad.
- The crying of the date-palm trunk is one of the miracles of the Prophet ﷺ.
The story of The Sad Stump
There was once a little tree stump who was as happy as could be, for he had the best job in the world that there ever was for a tree. He was a pillar in the Masjid where the beloved Prophet ﷺ prayed, and he held up the roof for all the Muslims every single night and day.
He was a good stump with the softest of hearts, and he loved his job very much. But the thing he loved most of all was the Prophet's ﷺ gentle touch. Every day he waited patiently for the Friday sermon to start, so that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ would lean on him and soothe his little heart.
But one Friday he noticed a change that saddened him to the core. The Prophet's ﷺ place had been moved away, and it was not near him any more.
The little stump missed the Prophet ﷺ dearly, and his poor heart broke in two. He could no longer hold back his tears, and he began to sob. As his sobs grew louder and louder, everyone in the Masjid was confused about where the noise was coming from. Was someone hurt, or bruised?
Then, all of a sudden, the beloved Prophet ﷺ pointed out to the crowd that it was the poor little date stump who was crying out so loud. The people were astounded as the Prophet ﷺ walked over to the tree and gave him a great big loving hug, which filled him with utter glee.
The tree stump shed no more tears, for he was as happy as could be.
Find more about Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and more stories about kindness, the mosque and friendship.
Where this story comes from
- Sahih al-Bukhari 3583: When a pulpit was made for the Prophet ﷺ, the date-palm trunk he used to stand by cried like a child, until he came down and held it.
Talk about it afterwards
- Why was the little stump so happy at the start of the story?
- Why did the stump start to cry?
- What did the Prophet ﷺ do when he heard the stump crying?
- How can we comfort someone who is sad?
Words to know
- Masjid
- A mosque, where Muslims pray together.
Frequently asked questions
What age is The Sad Stump suitable for?
Children aged 4 to 9. It is short and told in rhyme, with a happy ending.
Is The Sad Stump a true story?
It is based on a hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari about the date-palm trunk in the Prophet's ﷺ mosque that cried when he began to give the sermon from a pulpit.
How long is The Sad Stump?
About 2 minutes to read aloud.
