In a dream, Hazrat Qalaabah (Rahmatullahi alaih) found himself in a Qabrastaan (cemetery) where all the graves were open. At the side of each grave sat its inmate. Everyone of these Amwaat (deceased) had a glittering tray of Noor in front of him/her. Hazrat Qalaabah observed one of them sitting dejectedly without a tray.
When Hazrat Qalaabah asked the inmate of the grave for an explanation of the mystery and why was he without a tray of Noor, he said, “All of these people have children and friends who make Du’a for them and give Sadaqah in their names. The trays of Noor are the good deeds sent by their children and friends. There is nothing for me. My son is a sinner and has forgotten me. Neither does he make Du’a for me nor gives Sadaqah in my name. I am therefore greatly embarrassed in the presence of all my neighbours.”
In the morning, Hazrat Qalaabah went to the man’s son and narrated to him his dream. The son was overwhelmed with grief and remorse. He pledged to reform himself and to remember his father.
Some time thereafter, Hazrat Qalaabah (Rahmatullahi alaih) again saw in a dream the same Qabrastaan and the same scene. However, this time he saw in front of that man a wonderful tray of Noor, the radiance of which was brighter than the rays of the sun. The man said, “Yaa Aba Qalaabah! May Allah Ta’ala reward you. Your advice has saved my son from the Fire and it has freed me from embarrassment.”
Service (Khidmat) to parents is not confined to this earthly life. Even after the demise of parents, it is the incumbent duty of children to remember them with Du’a and acts of Sadaqah. The Amwaat eagerly wait in anticipation of receiving the benefits of good deeds performed by their children on their behalf.