Download PDF: [S] Gifted his Orchard to his SLave (Islamic story)

Hadrat Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Jafer Tayyar – may Allah be pleased with him – was extremely famous for his generosity and kindness. It is reported that one day, this same famous Saint was walking pass an orchard when he noticed a young slave inside this orchard. He was taking care of this orchard. Besides picking up the dates, this young slave was also making sure that other work in the orchard was also fulfilled. In other words, besides his normal daily work, he was working even more than what was required.

 

Hadrat Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Jafer – may Allah be pleased with him – was extremely surprised by this young slave and decided to stand on one side and watch his other actions. A few minutes later, the son of the owner of this orchard came and handed this young slave two pieces of bread. He then sat down to eat these two pieces of bread. Suddenly a dog appeared in front of him. This dog began to wag his tail and this young slave took pieces of bread and handed it to the dog. After eating this piece of bread, the dog again began to wag his tail and this young slave took the other piece of bread and handed it to the dog.

 

Hadrat Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Jafer – may Allah be pleased with him – was extremely surprised by the amazing generosity and kindness of this young slave and decided to approach him. He then asked him. “Tell me young man! What food do you receive every day?”

 

He replied that it was only these two pieces of bread. Hadrat Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Jafer – may Allah be pleased with him – then asked him with surprise, “But you had given both of these pieces to the dog?”

 

The young man replied, “Hadrat! Dogs are not normally seen in this area and when I saw this dog, I realized that it had come from afar and was hungry. This is the reason that I had given it the two pieces of bread.”

 

Hadrat Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Jafer – may Allah be pleased with him – then asked him what he would eat that night and he replied that he would sleep hungry.

 

Hadrat Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Jafer – may Allah be pleased with him – thought to himself, “People look at my generosity and kindness and consider me to be the most kind and generous and they even say that I am more generous than I should be, but this young slave is certainly even more generous than me.”

 

Hadrat Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Jafer – may Allah be pleased with him – then approached the owner of this slave and said, “Brother! I wish that you sell this slave to me.”

 

The owner asked him, “Hadrat! What is the reason that you wish to purchase this slave?”

 

Hadrat Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Jafer – may Allah be pleased with him – them related the entire incident which he had witnessed. He said, “It is my wish that I purchase this slave and free him and at the same time, I also wish to purchase this orchard and hand it over to him as a gift so that he can live a peaceful and secure life.”

 

When the owner of this slave heard this, he replied, “Hadrat! You have only seen one good quality in him, yet you have become so impressed by him. On the other hand, we see his good qualities every day and I wish to make you a witness that I am now freeing this slave for the Divine Pleasure of Allah Almighty and as for the orchard, I have also given this orchard to him as a gift.” (Suneri Awraaq)