Time passed by, my daughter decided to get married to a Scottish and my son was happy living in
Ireland. I decided that enough is enough and wound-up every thing and returned to India. I had
just enough money to buy a decent Two-bed room flat in a well-developed locality. Now I am 60
years old and the only time I go out of the flat is for the routine visit to the nearby place of worship.
My faithful wife has also left me and gone to the holy abode.
Sometimes I wondered was it worth all this? My father, even after staying in India, had a house to
his name and I too have the same, nothing more.
I lost my parents and children for just ONE EXTRA BEDROOM. Looking out from the window I
see a lot of children dancing. This damned cable TV has spoiled our new generation and these
children are losing their values and culture because of it. I get occasional cards from my children
asking I am alright.
Well at least they remember me. Now perhaps after I die it will be
the neighbors again who will be performing my last rites,
God Bless them.
But the question still remains ‘was all this worth it?’
I am still searching for an answer....There are no unanswered
prayers.... At times the answer is NO.
THEY ARE NOT IN NEED OF YOUR PRESENTS...!
A’bdullah Ibn Masud had been one of the close companions of the Holy Prophet (SAW) and had
developed into being a distinguished and zealous personality of Islam. During the caliphate of
Hazrat U’thman, he suffered a bout of illness, which eventually resulted in his death.
Hazrat U’thman once came to pay him a visit and finding him distressed, asked, what distresses
you so greatly? My sins, he answered.
Tell me your wish so that I can fulfill it for you.
I desire God mercy, replied Ibn Masud.
The caliph asked, if you permit, I could call for the doctor.
It is the Doctor who has made me sick, replied Ibn Masud.
If you want, I could present you with gifts from the Public Treasury.
Ibn Masud retorted, at the time when I was in need, you did not give me a thing and now that I am
not in need, you wish to shower me with presents!
Hazrat U’thman insisted, Let these gifts be for your daughters then.
They are not in need of your presents, Ibn Masud replied tersely. I have instructed them to recite
the chapter Al-Waaqiah every night, for surely, I have heard the Holy Prophet (SAW) say: One, who
recites the chapter Al-Waaqiah every night, shall never be afflicted by poverty.
100 Moral Stories 71
“The honor of a Mu’min lies in night worship
and his esteem lies in his being
independent of the people.”
Imam Sadiq (AS)
“Prayer reverts both what has been destined and what has not been destined.” Imam Musa (AS)
