In one of the Arabic forums, a writer published Sheikh Ali Tantawi's piece about Sheikh Ahmad Al-Zayaat: THE Sheikh (Ahmad Al-Zayaat) was a teacher, who did not know anything about the world except the Azhar University where he used to teach, the house he used to live in, and the road between them. As years passed by, he got old, and his health deteriorated. The doctor advised him to take rest and visit the natural parks next to river Nile. The Sheikh went out and stopped a carriage (as cars were not that available at the time). He told the driver: “My son, take me to a nice place were I can enjoy the view and relax.” The driver, however, was wicked, and took him to an area of prostitutes. When he reached, the Sheikh said, “O son, Maghrib prayer is drawing near, where can I pray? Take me first to the Masjid.” The driver (pointing to one of those houses) said, “The Masjid is over there.” The door was open, and the lady was sitting, in the manner those like her usually sit. When the Sheikh saw her, he lowered his gaze. He saw a seat, so he headed there and sat, waiting for the Adhan. (The woman in confusion, just) stared at him. What brought that man here? He didn't look like any of her regular customers. She kept thinking to herself, but did not dare ask him what he was doing here. What kept her from asking was the shyness that remained in her heart, even as a prostitute. This shyness appears only in front of pious people. The Sheikh was doing Tasbeeh, looking at his watch now and then, until he heard the Adhan from a distant place. He asked her: “Where is the Mu'ezzin (one who calls for the prayer)? Why didn't he call for prayer here? Are you his daughter?” She kept silent. He waited for a while, and then said: “My daughter, Maghrib time is short, and it is not permissible to delay it, and I do not see anyone here, so if you have your Wudhu (ablution) then pray behind me Jama'ah.” He gave the call for prayer, and without looking at her, as he was about to give the Iqamah, he noticed stillness behind him?! He asked: “What is wrong? Don't you have your Wudhu?” All of a sudden, as if her Iman (Faith) woke up and she remembered the old days. The days when she was filled with purity, and was away from sin, she started to cry loudly, and threw herself at his feet. The Sheikh, surprised, did not know in what way he can calm her. She, then, started narrating her story. He saw in her words great regret, and felt the truth in her repentance. He said: “Listen, my daughter, to what the Lord of all creation says: Say, “O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the Mercy of Allah. Indeed Allah forgives all sins.” (Qur'an, 39:53). “All sins, my daughter, all sins! “The door of repentance is open to every sinner and it is so wide that it can encompass them all no matter how heavy their load (of sins) is, even Kufr. So whoever disbelieves in the All-Mighty, after he was a believer, but repents before the hour of his death comes, and he was sincere in his repentance, and he renewed his Islam, Allah will accept him. Allah, my dear daughter, is the most Generous of all. Did you ever hear of anyone generous shutting the door in the face of those who come seeking him? “Stand up and go wash yourself, and cover yourself. Go and clean your skin with water and your heart with repentance and regret. Approach your Lord, and I will wait for you. But do not delay, so that we do not miss Maghrib prayer.” She did as he asked, and returned to him with a new dress and a new heart. She stood behind him and prayed. She felt and tasted the sweetness of that prayer, and felt that this prayer purified her heart. The Sheikh then took her to a house of righteous ladies, and then found her a righteous husband and advised him to take good care of her. The writer in the Arabic forum said: Notice the state of this woman, how she was and how she changed. It was nothing more than simple words from an old man that led her into changing her life. __
