Download PDF: [S] Help from a Stranger (Islamic story)

Ash’ab bin Jubair narrates:

 

I was once walking in one of the streets when a person came to me. He then asked me, “How many children do you have?” I then told to him how many children I had.

 

He told me, “I have been instructed that as long as you live, I was to take care of you and your children.”

 

I then asked him who had given him this instruction and he replied, “I cannot reveal the identity of the person.”

 

I said, “That person who has given you the responsibility of taking care of me and my children, it is necessary that I convey my thanks to him.”

 

The person replied that this person did not need any gratitude.

 

Ash’ab bin Jubair continues, “I then used to receive something every day which used to suffice me and my children.” One day, Khalid bin Abdullah bin ‘Umar bin ‘Uthman passed away. I also joined the others to pay respect to this person. I met the same person who had offered me help at the beginning and used to deliver this help every day. He was wiping the tears from his eyes. When he saw me, he declared, ‘O Ash’ab. I swear by Allah Almighty this was the person who used to do this favour upon you and he used to make me deliver this aid to you.’” (Talif Saleh Mohammed Az Zaam)