Acceptance of Prayer
The Flow of the River Nile — a river, a people, a tradition, and a reminder that all creation submits to the command of Allah.
More than fourteen centuries ago, the blessed land of Egypt depended entirely upon the River Nile. Each year, by the permission of Allah, its waters overflowed, bringing life to barren fields and sustaining countless families. The people knew well that if the Nile ceased to flow, famine and hardship would soon follow.
Before the light of Islam reached Egypt, the people had inherited an ancient custom rooted in ignorance. They believed that the Nile would not flow unless a young maiden was offered to the river. Adorned in beautiful garments and jewellery, she would be cast into its waters in the hope that the river would rise. Such was the darkness of the days before Islam.
When Egypt came under the rule of the noble Companion, ʿAmr ibn al-ʿĀṣ رضي الله عنه, the people approached him and explained this long-held practice. He replied with certainty and conviction:
“Indeed, Islam has abolished everything that belonged to the days of ignorance.”
No sacrifice was offered that year. The Muslims placed their trust in Allah alone.
Days passed, yet the waters of the Nile continued to recede. Anxiety spread throughout Egypt, and many feared that they would be forced to abandon their homes. Seeing the concern of the people, ʿAmr ibn al-ʿĀṣ رضي الله عنه wrote to the Commander of the Faithful, Sayyidunā ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb رضي الله عنه, informing him of the situation.
The reply of the illustrious Caliph was remarkably brief. Along with his letter came a small note addressed to the River Nile itself:
"From the servant of Allah, ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb, Commander of the Faithful, to the Nile of Egypt.
If you flow by your own command, then do not flow.
But if it is Allah, the One, the Most Powerful, Who causes you to flow, then we ask Allah, the One, the Almighty, to make you flow."
Following the instruction of Sayyidunā ʿUmar رضي الله عنه, the note was placed into the river by the permission of Allah.
The historians relate that by the following morning the Nile had risen abundantly—by Allah’s command alone. The fear of drought vanished, the land was revived once again, and from that day onward the people abandoned the practice of human sacrifice forever.
For the believers, this incident is not merely about the rising of a river. It is a timeless reminder that no created thing possesses independent power. Rivers do not flow by themselves, nor does rain fall by its own will. Every atom of creation moves only by the command of its Creator.
Allah, the Exalted, says:
“To Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth.”
(Qur’an 2:284)
The Nile did not answer an ancient ritual—it answered the decree of Allah.
The acceptance of the sincere supplication of His righteous servants has always been among the signs of His mercy. Yet the true power never belongs to people, objects, or rituals. It belongs to Allah alone, the Lord of the worlds.