Religious Affairs Minister Reveals Story of Prophet Given a Deer: Not All Gifts Are Gratuity
Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar recounted the story of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) being given a deer by an Arab resident. From that narrative, Nasaruddin inserted a message that not all gifts given with sincerity can be interpreted as gratuity.
The story was delivered by Nasaruddin while attending the 219th anniversary commemoration of the Archdiocese of Jakarta at Jakarta Cathedral Church on Saturday (9/5/2026). In his speech, Nasaruddin narrated that Prophet Muhammad once helped a deer.
At that time, Prophet Muhammad was passing in front of an Arab’s house. In front of the house was a deer that had just given birth. Nasaruddin recounted that the deer asked Prophet Muhammad to release its tether so it could forage for food.
“The deer called out: ‘O Prophet, Prophet, Prophet, please untie this neck rope of mine.’ It was a large mother deer. The Prophet’s guards, his companions, asked, ‘Why are you stopping?’ ‘You don’t understand the deer’s language, but I do. It is calling out to me.’ What does it mean? Please help me, untie this neck rope,’ said Nasaruddin, imitating the conversation with Prophet Muhammad.
After Prophet Muhammad untied the deer, the mother deer ran off to find food. A short while later, the deer returned satiated, able to nurse its young. Prophet Muhammad then retied the rope around the deer’s neck.
“As soon as the Prophet tied its neck, the owner arrived, ‘O Prophet, what brings you to our place? It is an honour. Why are you holding the deer? If you want to take it, take it. Take the deer; inshallah, we can catch another one here,’ he said.
The deer owner gave the deer to Prophet Muhammad. Nasaruddin said the story offers a lesson that all sincere gifts and rewards are not gratuity.
“This is a lesson, ladies and gentlemen, if someone gives us a gift with full sincerity, not all gifts are gratuity. This is sincere, given to us,” said Nasaruddin.
He continued that Prophet Muhammad accepted the gift with full appreciation. It is even said that the Prophet carried the deer himself without asking for help from his companions.
“That is how a good leader appreciates someone’s gift. He didn’t ask his aides or assistants, ‘please take that.’ He carried the deer himself,” he stated.
However, Nasaruddin continued, Prophet Muhammad eventually released the deer again so it could return to care for its young in the wild.
“Let it go back to raise its young. This is a rare animal,” said Nasaruddin, imitating Prophet Muhammad’s words.
On that occasion, Nasaruddin also invited the public to love animals more and protect the environment. According to him, compassion for living beings is part of religious teachings and humanitarian values.
“Let us love animals, let us love birds, and if we love all, even the sky will love us back,” he said.
The 219th anniversary event of the Archdiocese of Jakarta was also attended by Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung, Archbishop of Jakarta Ignatius Suharyo, and other interfaith figures.