100 Moral Stories 42
find perfect happiness anywhere in the world. The couple decided to return to their own country.
They went to the wise old man and related all that had taken place. They also complained that his
guidance was difficult to abide by.
The wise old man laughed and said, “Was your journey useless or did you learn something from it?”
The young man replied, “Yes, after this trip I have learnt that in this world, nobody is perfectly
happy, only that person is happy who does everything to please God.”
Holy Quran (2:38) says:
“And whosever follows My (Allah’s) guidance, on them shall be no fear nor shall they grieve.”
The wife said, “I have learnt that in order to be happy it is important to remember two things;
first, all human beings should be thankful and contented with whatever they have.”
Holy Quran (14:7) says:
“And your Lord declared publicly: if you are grateful, I will add more favors unto you.”
And secondly, for ultimate happiness one must always practice patience.
Holy Quran (2:45) says: “Seek help through patient perseverance and prayers.”
After that, young couple thanked the wise old man for his guidance and returned home. The wise
man prayed for them and said, “Indeed the sign of happiness is in their heart and they have good
manners and if the lifetime is spent in pleasure of God there would be no differences in the exis-
tence of mankind.”
Holy Quran (20:123-124) says: “Whosoever follows My (Allah’s) guidance, will not loose his way or fall
into misery But whosoever turns away from My message, verily for him is a miserable life.”
HOPE AND GREED
Caliph Haroon Rashid desired that any one who had seen the Holy
Prophet (SAW) in his lifetime be brought before him. After some time
a very old woman was brought before the Caliph. The Caliph asked the
old woman, “Did you see the Prophet yourself?” She said, “Yes! Sir.”
The Caliph then asked her if she remembered any narration from him.
She said yes and said, “When old age comes two things become young,
one is hope and the other is greed.” The Caliph thanked her and gave her
one hundred dinars. The woman thanked Caliph and she was taken back.
Half the way some thought passed through her mind and she desired
to be brought before the Caliph once more. When she was shown in, the
Caliph asked, “Well, why have you come back?” She said. “I just came to
inquire whether the monies you gave me were once for all or is it to continue every year?”
The Caliph thought. “How true is the Prophet’s (SAW) word?” she has hope of life even now and
she has greed for money too. The Caliph said, “Don’t worry; you will be paid every year.”
She was taken back but on the way she breathed her last.
