Download PDF: [S] He became Rich by giving Charity (Islamic story)

Hadrat Sayyiduna Akramah – may Allah be pleased with him – narrates:

 

During the time of the Bani Isra’eel, there was a wealthy person who used to spend his wealth in noble and good deeds. When he passed away, he left his wife and a young son. His wife remembered that her husband used to always spend his wealth on good and noble deeds, therefore she felt that this wealth which had become her share should also be spent in this manner. She then took all her wealth and gave it in charity. She was only left with two hundred Dirhams for her young son.

 

When her son grew up, he asked his mother about his father and she replied that his father was among the respected people of the Bani Isra’eel. He then asked whether his father had left anything for him. She replied, “Yes indeed, however, he used to always spend in charity and this is the reason that I have spent most of his wealth in this fashion.”

The son then asked why she had spent most his wealth as well and had saved nothing for him.

 

She replied that in his share, she had kept aside two hundred Dirhams.

 

He then asked her for his share so that he could also achieve the Divine Mercy of Allah Almighty and spend it in the fashion that his father used to spend his wealth.

 

He took these two hundred Dirhams and left his house. As he was walking, he came across a dead body which lay on the side of the road and the person had no clothes on him. He felt that this was one of the best ways of spending this money. He then purchased the kafan for one hundred and eighty Dirhams and was left with only twenty Dirhams. He also made sure that the deceased was washed and buried properly and only then did he leave.

 

As he walked further, he met another person. The person asked him where he was travelling to and the young man replied that he was travelling to seek the Divine Mercy and Grace of Allah Almighty. The person then said to him, “If I can direct you to a place where you would find the Divine Mercy of Allah Almighty, then you must promise that when you receive this, half of it will belong to me.” The young man agreed to this.

 

The person then informed him that he should travel to a certain city and he will find a lady who has a cat. She was selling this cat. He was to purchase this cat for twenty Dirhams and then slaughter this cat and burn it. He should then collect the ashes from this fire and travel to another city. In that city, he will find a King who has lost his vision. He was to place some of these ashes on the eyes of the King and very soon, the King would regain his vision.

 

The young man then did as he was told. When he reached the city where the blind King was, he heard everyone saying that the King would give an immense reward to anyone who would be able to recover his vision. The King also mentioned that if the person who claimed that he could treat him failed, he would have him killed. Therefore, one should think carefully before approaching him. When he entered a certain valley, he also saw the dead bodies of those who had claimed that they could heal the King by applying some surmah on his eyes. However, he was not afraid to approach the King.

 

When he applied a little of these ashes in the form of surmah the first time, the King said that he could see a little. The same thing happened on the second occasion and on the third occasion when he applied the surmah. The King admitted that his vision had completely returned. The King then mentioned that he could never repay this young man enough and mentioned that one of the best ways of rewarding him was that he marries the daughter of the King. Together with marrying the daughter of the King, he was also given immense wealth as well. He stayed a little while with the King and then decided to visit his mother with his wife and his new found wealth.

 

On the way back, he passed the same person who had given him the advice of treating the King’s blindness. The person then asked him whether he recognized him. The young man replied that he could not remember. The person reminded him of what advice he had given him.

 

When the young heard these words, he immediately jumped off his horse and took all his riches and divided it into two parts.

 

The person then reminded him that they had agreed that nothing would remain and that everything he had achieved would be split equally between them. The person then reminded him that this would even include his wife which is something he had acquired as well. The young man asked how he would be able to achieve this. The person replied that his wife would have to be cut in half.

 

When the young man heard this, he did not hesitate. He took a saw and placed it on the head of his young wife and was about to run the blade when the person stopped him and said, “Stop, Allah Almighty has sent me to you and certainly Allah Almighty will also protect you in future as you have protected and honoured this promise and pact.” All his wealth was then returned to him. (Al Rouad Al Faa’iq)