Each of the travellers ate eight broken pieces of the loaf.

Each of the travellers ate eight broken pieces of the loaf. At the time of leaving the third traveller took out eight dirhams and gave to the first two men who had offered him the meal, and went away. On receiving the money the two travellers started quarelling as to who should have how much of the money. The five-loaf-man demanded five dirhams. The three-ioaf-man insisted on dividing the money in two equal parts.

The dispute was brought to Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib (the Caliph of the time in Arabia) to be decided. Imam Ali (a.s.) requested three-loaf-man to accept three dirhams. The man refused and said that he would take only four dirhams. At this Imam Ali (a.s.) returned, "You can have only one dirham. You had eight loaves between yourselves. Each loaf was broken in three parts. Therefore, you had 24 equal parts. Your three loaves made nine parts. Out.

of which you have eaten eight portions, leaving just one to the third traveller. Your friend had five loaves which divided into three made fifteen pieces. He ate eight pieces and gave seven pieces to the guest. As such the guest shared one part from your loaves and seven from those of your friend.

So you should get one dirham and your friend should receive seven dirhams." LIST OF BOOKS REFERRED TO: The Holy Quran by Mir Ahmedali; Rehnumai Bahesht Part Five - Tehran; Payame Shadi 3-1;Qum Payame Shadi 3-9;Qurn Payame Shadi 4-2;Qum LIGHT - April 1975; Dar-es-Salaam. Golden Crescent Group Fifth Seminar Report - 1975;…