Junaid – A wrestler who saw Prophet Muhammad in dream

Junaid Baghdadi was a famous wrestler

Junaid Baghdadi was a wrestler by profession. The people of Baghdad held a wrestling contest quite often. The leader of Baghdad would call out the wrestler name who had to enter a contest while a volunteer contestant from the public would rise to wrestle.

An old man came to fight with him

Once, the leader announced the name of Junaid Baghdadi and asked for a volunteer from the public. On this, an old man rose and said he wanted to wrestle with Junaid Baghdadi. The people were shocked. The man was old and weak; how could he even consider competing with the young, strong Junaid Baghdadi?

The man could not stand up properly: his whole body would shake while he walked, and his neck would quiver as he talked. Yet, the 65-year-old man put forth himself for the contest. 

The old man said something to Junaid Baghdadi

The old man then whispered that he was a descendant of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, i.e., he was a Sayyid. He has run out of money, has a loan to repay, and kids back at home are starving. He then asked Junaid if he would be able to put down his honor, pride, and name for the sake of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

Only if Junaid loses this contest for the sake of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, the old man would be able to win the prize money. The prize money would help him repay loans and have money to get food for his children for a year.

But this task requires Junaid to sacrifice his pride: of course, people will say that Junaid lost a contest to an old man. 

Junaid grabbed the opportunity.

Junaid did not hesitate and readily thought of losing the match and his honor just for the sake of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. However, he wanted to ensure his defeat looked natural, and no one would question it.

Therefore, when the contest started, he performed false actions to ensure the old man wasn’t hurt. By the end of the wrestling, Junaid fell, and the old man stood on his chest, claiming his victory.

Junaid saw Prophet Muhammad in the dream

Junaid saw Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in his dream. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ addressed you sacrificed your honor for my love. You let go your fame, which echoed around the city.

Your sacrifice has let you earn a place among the Auliyas (the friends of Allah). The world knows the wrestler today as Junaid Baghdadi Wali Ullah, not a wrestler anymore.