Did he leave anything for you?

Did he leave anything for you?" 40 "No, he didn't" "Then how could you perform pilgrimage?" "After the death of my father we were in dis- tress. On one side his death and on the other side poverty and unemployment, were crushing us ex- tremely. Then one day a friend of my father gave me one thousand Dirham and advised me to invest the amount in business.

I followed his advice and from its profit I came to perform pilgrimage." Before he could finish his story, the Imam (a.s.) said, "Tell me what did you do about the money of your father's friend?" I refunded the amount on the advice of my mother before coming out for Hajj'.' "Very good. Do you like me to give you an advice?" "May I be your ransom; of course" "Be truthful and righteous.

A truthful and righteous man is a partner in the wealth of others." 41 Aqueel As A Guest Of Ali Aqueel arrived as a guest at the Government House in the days of the Caliphate of his brother, Ali. Ali made a sign to his elder son Hassan to offer a garment to his uncle. Hassan presented to him a robe and a cloak. The night came; the wea- ther was warm. They were sitting on roof-top hav- ing amiable talks. It was time for dinner.

Aqueel considered himself to be the guest of the Absolute ruler of the Muslim world and expected an extra- ordinarily colourful and rich dinner. But to his surprise it was the most ordinary and simple one. He said: "Is this all the food?" Ali: "Isn't it a God's gift? I heartily thank Almighty God that he has bestowed me with this gift." Aqueel: "Then I should better tell you my needs at once, and be on my way soon. I am in debt.

Please order to pay off my debt as soon as possible; and also help your poor brother as much 42 as you can, so that I return to my place relieved of my burdens:" "How much is your debt?" "One hundred thousand Dirham" "Oh! One hundred thousand Dirham! So large? I am sorry, brother. I don't have so much money to give you; but wait till the time comes for the disbursement of stipends.

I shall withdraw my personal share and give from it to you, thus fulfilling my duty of cooperation and brotherhood towards you. If my family and children were not in need of their own expenses, I would have given you my entire share" "What?! ! Should I wait till the payment of stipends? You have the state-treasury in your hand and still you are asking me to wait till the time of disbursement and then only you will give me from your personal share!