My Goat – ”Sùúrù” and Lessons from the Mercies of Allah


I once had a goat—its name was Sùúrù. Sùúrù was one of the most stubborn creatures of Allah I have ever encountered. Wallahi, it made me realize the gravity of stubbornness in a child or anyone else, especially when Yoruba people likened such people to a goat.  

This goat could climb anywhere. It devised clever ways to open gates that weren’t locked from the inside. Many times, it climbed  fence as high as ten courses of blocks. At some point, I didn’t know what else to do because it truly provoked me.

It would climb our car, then hurriedly jump down via the windscreen, making me fear the glass might break. Worse, it would intentionally climb to the top of our well, urinate, and defecate there. If we tried to cover the well with something, it would take it down.

I often asked myself, “Why am I even rearing this goat? Should I just kill it for suya or sell it?” But then I thought, “Would anyone even buy it at a good price?”

I offer to gift it to my sister, she immediately rejected it. Lol.

Anytime it provoked me to the point of considering killing or selling it, I would pause and reflect on how merciful Allah is towards us, His creatures.

“And to Allah belongs the highest example”.

Allah has laid down rules for us to follow, and many of these are for our benefit. For instance:

– Abstaining from zina (adultery and fornication) protects us from diseases and broken homes.

– Not stealing ensures peace and trust in society.

– Being truthful fosters integrity and respect.

Yet, despite these rules, we often stray and commit sins. But Allah, in His infinite mercy, doesn’t punish us instantly. He patiently waits for us to repent, forgives us when we seek forgiveness, and continues to bless us.

Imagine if Allah dealt with us the way I wanted to deal with Sùúrù. When we commit sins that are even more irritating than what my goat did, Allah doesn’t order the angels to stone us or evict us from our homes. He remains merciful, providing us with countless chances to return to Him.

Is it right to repay Allah’s mercy with ingratitude? Should we continue behaving like Sùúrù—stubborn, heedless, and defiant? Or shouldn’t we humble ourselves, be submissive to Allah, and show gratitude for His endless mercy?

PS: I later evicted Sùúrù. But the lessons it taught me about patience, stubbornness, and Allah’s mercy remain unforgettable.

May Allah make us grateful servants, protect us from stubbornness in obeying Him, and grant us the humility to submit fully to His will. Ameen.

Read Also: Book Review: HEALTHFUL ḤAJJ: A Wellness Guide to Ḥajj and ‘Umrah by Dr. Mariam V. Lawal

Have any Question or Comment?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

error: Content is protected !!
Chat With Our Agent!