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Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
| 4 Wives |
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| Halima |
| 08/24/03 at 12:01:42 |
| The Four Wives There was a rich merchant who had 4 wives 4th Wife He loved the 4th wife the most. He adorned her with rich robes and treated her with the best of luxury. He took great care of her and gave her nothing but the best. 3rd Wife He also love the 3rd wife very much. He was very proud of her and always showed her off to his friends. However, the merchant was always in great fear of losing her to another man. 2nd Wife He loved his 2nd wifetoo. She was a very considerate person, always patient and in fact, the merchant's confidante. Whenever the merchant faced some problems he would always turn to his 2nd wife and she would help him through difficult times. 1st Wife Now, the merchant's 1st wife was a very loyal partner and had made great contribution towards maintaining his wealth and business as well as taking care of the household. However, the merchant did not love the first wife and although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her. One day, the merchant fell ill. Before long, he knew that he was going to die soon. He thought of his luxurious life and told himself, "Now I have 4 wives with me. But when I die, I'll be alone. How lonely I'll be!". Thus, he asked his 4th wife, "I loved you most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "No way!" replied the 4th wife and she walked away without another word. The answer cut like a sharp knife right into the merchant's hear. The sad merchant then asked the 3rd wife, "I have loved you so much for all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "No!", replied the 3rd wife. "Life is so good over hare! I'm going to remarry when you die!" The merchant's heart sank and turned cold. He then asked his 2nd wife, "I always turned to you for help and you've always helped me out. Now, I need your help again. When I die, will you follow me and keep company?" "I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!", replied the 2nd wife. "At the very most, I can only send you to your grave". The answer came like a bolt of thunder and the merchant was devastated! Then a voice called out: "I'll leave with you. I'll follow you no matter where you go". The merchant looked up and there was his 1st wife. She was so skinny, almost as if she suffered from malnutrition. Greatly grieved, the merchant said, "I should have taken much better care of you while I could have!" Actually we all have 4 wives in our lives,.. The 4th wife is our body No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it'll leave us when we die. Our 3rd wife is our possessions, status and wealth When we die, they all go to others The 2nd wife is our family and friends No matter how close they had been there for us when we're alive, the farthest they can stay by us is up to the grave. The 1st wife something you can't see is in fact our soul Often neglected in our pursuit of material wealth and sensual pleasure. it is actually the only thing that follows us wherever we go. Perhaps it's a good idea to cultivate and strengthen it now rather than to wait until we're on our deathbed to lament. |
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