It is the blood of your father.

It is the blood of your father.” He then dictated his will and left this world - departing for Hell.[^5] The Rich near the Poor A rich person dressed in clean and elegant clothes arrived in the presence of the Noble Prophet (S) and sat down before him. A short while later, a poor person wearing old and tattered clothes, came and sat down near the rich person, who immediately gathered his neat garments from near the poor person and drew it towards himself.

Having observed this, the Noble Prophet (S) remarked to the rich man: “Did you fear that the poor person next to you might make your clothes dirty?” “No,” replied the man. “Then why did you behave so?” asked the Noble Prophet (S). “I have a companion (soul) that makes good deeds appear evil to me and vice-versa. O’ Prophet of Allah! As a punishment for this reprehensible act of mine, I gift half of my wealth to the poor man”.

Turning to the poor person, the Noble Prophet (S) inquired, “Do you accept the offer?” “No, O’ Prophet of Allah,” said the man.

When the rich person wanted to know the reason, the poor man explained: “I fear I too might come to acquire the pride and self-conceit which has overwhelmed you.”[^6] Sulaiman Ibn ‘Abdul Malik One Friday, Sulaiman Ibn ‘Abdul Malik, (one of the Caliphs of Bani Marwan) put on new clothes, applied perfume and ordered that the chest containing the royal turbans be brought before him. With a mirror in one hand, he kept trying on one turban after another till he was eventually satisfied with one.

With pomp and glory, he set off for the mosque. As he entered the mosque, he ascended the pulpit, looking particularly pleased with his appearance, and kept adjusting his outfit. The sermon he delivered made him feel elated with himself and several times during the sermon, he appeared to be obsessed with his dress and thought to himself, “I am a Sultan, young, awe-inspiring and immensely generous.” At the end of his sermon, he descended from the pulpit and headed towards his palace.

Once inside, he asked a female who seemed to be one of his slave-girls: “What is your opinion about me?” “I find you to be honourable and joyous; alas! If only it were not for the poem of a poet!” replied the slave-girl. Sulaiman was taken aback by this comment. He insisted on hearing the poem, so she recited: ‘You are a good commodity and investment, if only you remain forever, But alas!