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Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
Story: Prophet from Banu Israel |
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amatullah |
04/27/04 at 15:44:59 |
Abu Said related that in the time of the children of Israel there was a good man who had a pious, judicious and tactful wife. An inspiration came down to the Prophet of that age saying: 'Inform that good man that We (i.e. God) have predestined him to spend one half of his life in poverty an done half of his life in wealth. Let him choose now whether the poverty shall be during his youth or during his old age' The young man on hearing this went to his wife and said, 'O wife, this is the command which has come down from God on high. How do you suggest I choose?' 'What is your choice?' she asked 'Come' he replied, 'let us choose the poverty during our youth so that when hardship comes we may have strength to endure it. Moreover, when we grow old we shall need something to eat if we are to be free fomr cares and capable of properly obeying Allah's commands' Thereupon his wife said, 'O husband, if we are poor during out youth, we shall be unable to obey God's commands properly; and thereafter, when we shall have thrown to the winds the prime of our life and grown weak, how shall we perform the duties involved in obeying Allah? Let us therefore choose the wealth now, so that we may during our youth have strength both to obey God's command and to practice charity' 'Your opinion is the right one' said the husband, 'let us act accordingly' Then another inspiration came down to the Prophet of that age: 'Now that you are striving to obey Us (i.e. God) and that your intention is good, I who am the Sustainer of all life will cause you to pass straight to wealth. Continue striving to obey My commands, and of whatever I give you, give part for alms, so that both this world and the next may be yours' [Ghazali, Counsel for Kings (Nasihat al-Mulk), p 161] |
Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board |