100 Moral Stories 51
Ghulamhusein was a popular social figure and a keen host of guests coming to him from distant
lands. He lived in Moshi, a beautiful small town at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. He was
generous and hospitable to one and all. One of his hobbies during leisure hours particularly on
Saturdays and Sundays was to play the game of cards with his friends. For hours they used to get
together where they enjoyed the game. It was not with the aim of gambling but rather just for
pleasure and pass time.
Once in the midst of a lively game of cards, his servant came to inform him that a guest of his was
seriously ill at the guest house and needed his immediate attention. He sent the servant back saying
he would come soon. But he was so much engrossed to withdraw from it. So he continued to play
with keen interest.
After a while, his servant came again to report that the condition of the guest was
deteriorating and needed his urgent attention as there was no one else to attend.
But Ghulamhusein was so deeply engrossed in the game that he did not want to be
disturbed. As such, again he sent the servant back promising to come soon.
By the time he could be free from the very mind captivating game of cards, the
servant came for the third time. But this time he reported that the guest of his a
poor traveler from distant lands had already died. This news gave a shock of his life to
Ghulamhusein. It convinced him of the evil and harmful effect of such an indoor game. There and
then he vowed never to indulge himself in such a game.
Is this not an eye-opening example of an intoxicating and mentally distracting game of cards,
commonly played today either as a pass-time or for gambling purposes? Perhaps it also explains
the philosophy behind absolute Islamic forbiddance to play or watch such a game, even without
the chance of gaining or losing money. It is meant to be prevention than a cure, lest man is one day
tempted to use the game for gambling purpose.
FINDERS KEEPERS
A wise woman who was traveling in the
mountains found a precious stone in a stream. The next day she met another traveler
who was hungry, and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food. The hungry
traveler saw the precious stone & asked the woman to give it to him. She did so without hesitation.
The traveler left, rejoicing his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him
security for a lifetime. But a few days later he came back to return the stone to the wise woman.
“I’ve been thinking,” He said, “I know how valuable the stone is, but I give it back in the hope that
you can give me something even more precious: Give me what you have within you that enabled
you to give me the stone.”
BANDAGE OF COMPLAINT!
Once a saint saw a man with a bandage tied round his head. “Why have you tied the bandage?” he
asked. “Because my head aches,” the man replied. “How old are you?” he demanded. “Thirty,” he
replied. “Have you been in pain and anguish the greater part of your life?” he enquired. “No,” the
man answered. “For thirty years you have enjoyed good health,” he remarked, “and you never tied
the bandage of thankfulness. Now because of this one night head ache, that you have, you tie the
bandage of complaint!”
GHULAMHUSSEIN AND THE GAME OF CHANCE
"Abstention from sins is better than
seeking help afterward." Imam Ali (AS)
