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Building an Inn for the Poor and Travellers and Feeding the People – Imaam Bukhaari (rahimahullah) – Part Eighteen
On one occasion, Imaam Bukhaari (rahimahullah) came out from the town of Firabr intending to go to an area near Bukhaara. Imaam Bukhaari (rahimahullah) wished to build an inn for the travellers and the poor in that area. On learning of the intention of Imaam Bukhaari (rahimahullah), a large group of people gathered and decided to assist him in building the inn.
During the construction, Imaam Bukhaari (rahimahullah) would carry bricks with his own hands and personally assist with the building. Observing this, his close student, Muhammed bin Abi Haatim (rahimahullah), said to him, “O Abu Abdillah (this was the filial title of Imaam Bukhaari [rahimahullah])! We are here to serve you. Hence, there is no need for you to undergo difficulty by assisting in the construction.” However, Imaam Bukhaari (rahimahullah) replied, “It is this work that will benefit us and assist us in the Hereafter (and hence we wish to personally take part in it).”