There was once a wealthy man sitting with his wife and enjoying a meal of roast chicken. Whilst eating, a beggar came (to the door) asking for something. The husband (arrogantly) sent the poor man away without giving him anything.

Life continued and it so happened that this wealthy man lost all his wealth and even divorced his wife.  Subsequently, his wife went on to remarry someone else. One day when she was sitting with her new husband and having the exactly same meal, a beggar came (to the door). The (kind-hearted) husband told his wife to take the very chicken that they were enjoying and give it to the poor person at the door.

When the wife went to give the destitute man the meal, she was taken aback to find her previous husband (standing at the door). After giving him the food, she went back to her new husband and told him that the beggar at the door was her former husband. She then went on to relate to him the incident which occurred between her former husband and the beggar during her previous marriage. After listening to this incident, the husband told his wife “By Allah, I am that very beggar who he had turned away empty handed. Due to his ingratitude, Allah Ta‘ala shifted over his comfort and his wife to me (and deprived him of them).” (Wafayaatul Aa’yaan vol. 6, pg. 108)

Lessons:

1. The bounties and favours of Allah Ta‘ala which we enjoy are not our personal achievements. Rather, they are the sheer grace and mercy of Allah Ta‘ala which can be snatched away at any time. Hence, instead of behaving with pride and arrogance, we should adopt humility and good character as a token of appreciation for being blessed with these favours.

2. To the best of our ability we should try to assist the poor and destitute. If we do not have anything to offer them, or do not wish to assist them due to some valid reason, we must still speak to them with kindness and respect. We must never look down at them and ill-treat them, as it is extremely easy for Allah Ta‘ala to turn the tables and put us in their shoes.

>>>Download Musjid Poster<<<