May Allah Relieve Hardship for Those Who Fear Him

As-salamu alaykum. I wanted to share this story I heard from the Prophet ﷺ about how Allah helps those who act with piety and care for others. Three men got caught in a storm and sheltered in a cave, but a rock blocked the entrance and trapped them. One said, “Mention whatever good deeds you did for Allah so we can call on Him by them.” The first man asked Allah for help, saying he had two elderly parents, a wife, and a small child. He used to milk the flock at night and always served his parents first so as not to wake them, even when his child cried at his feet. He said if he did this seeking Allah’s pleasure, then may Allah relieve them so they could see the sky. The rock moved a little. The second man said he loved a cousin but when he tried to be with her she refused unless he paid her a hundred coins. He worked hard until he earned the sum, but when he was about to force the relationship she warned him to fear Allah and not take what was forbidden. He left her despite the cost. He asked Allah to help them if he had done that sincerely; the rock moved again. The third man said he had hired a man who worked for a share of rice. When the worker later demanded his pay, the man offered it but the worker refused and insisted the man keep it. The man planted the grain and it grew into cows and flocks. When the worker later came back and reminded him to fear Allah and respect rights, the man gave him the animals. The man asked Allah to relieve what was left of their trial if he had acted for Allah’s sake. Then Allah removed the rock completely and they were freed. I don’t remember every detail of the chain, but the lesson stuck with me: caring for parents, guarding chastity, and honoring workers’ rights out of fear of Allah can be means of relief in hardship. May Allah make us among those who act for His sake and grant us ease. Ameen.