ভূমিকা

[^2] Short Explanation Contrary to the reprehensible attribute of greed is the attribute of independence and self-reliance. In common usage, if it is said that a person has no need for anything, the immediate notion that comes to mind is that he is affluent. However, the actual meaning is to be self-sufficient, self-contained and not avaricious with respect to that which the others possess.

Persons who are independent with respect to God’s creation, are highly respected and they possess ‘trust in God’ which is, by far, the greatest asset. The fact that begging and seeking from others is censured, is because it erodes away the honour and status of a person, makes him a captive of others and lessens his inclination toward God. A Lesson from the Holy Prophet One of the companions of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) once found himself in severe poverty.

His wife advised him to go to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) and request his help*.* The man approached the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.), but as soon as the Prophet’s (s.a.w.) eyes fell upon the man, he said: “If a person seeks something from me, I shall certainly grant it to him, but if he were to exhibit himself as being self-sufficient and free from want, Allah shall make him affluent.”[^3] Hearing this, the man said to himself, “The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) has intended me by this speech of his”.

Without uttering a word, he returnedhome and narrated the incident to his wife. His wife said, “The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) is also human; explain your dilemma to him and see what he has to say.” The man returned to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) for the second time but heard the same sentence from him and again came back home without saying a word. When this was repeated for the third time, the man borrowed a pickaxe from one of his friends and set off towards the mountains.

Throughout the day he worked hard to gather firewood, which he sold for some flour and that night, he and his wife had bread for dinner.