HABIB al-AJMI, the fur coat

Once a famine was raging in Basra. Habib purchased many provisions on credit and gave them away as alms. He fastened his purse and placed it under his pillow. When the tradesmen came to demand payment, he would take out his purse and it was full of Dirhams (money), which he gave away as loans.

Habib had a house in Basra on the crossroads. He also had a fur coat which he wore summer and winter. Once, needing to perform the ritual washing, he arose and left his coat on the ground. Hasan of Basra, happening on the scene, perceived the coat flung in the road.

"This ‘barbarian’ does not even know its value," he commented. "This fur coat ought not to be left here. It may get lost."

So he stood there watching over it untill Habib returned.

"Imam of the Muslims," he cried after saluting Hasan, "why are you standing here?"

"Do you not know," Hasan replied, "that this coat ought not to be left here? It may get lost. Say, in whose charge did you leave it?"

"In 'His' charge," Habib answered, "who appointed you to watch over it."

~ MUSSM, FAREED UD DEEN ATTAAR ~

Dr Khaled Jamal Al Suwaidi Completes Run From Zayed Mosque to Makkah

Emirati academic, Dr Al Suwaidi, reached the boundary of the Great Mosque of Makkah on Friday, 1 March after beginning his gruelling 1850km journey from Abu Dhabi to Makkah. His reasons for taking on the mammoth task were to inspire others to get out of their comfort...

Tell her: “I Love You” before it is too Late

After 21 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman out to dinner. She said I love you but I know this other woman loves you and would love to spend some time with you. The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my MOTHER, who has been a widow...

Is there a Cow in your Life?

Once upon a time, in a faraway land, there lived a wise man and his disciple. One day during their travels, they saw a hut in the distance. As they approached it, they realized that it was occupied, in spite of its extremely poor condition.In that desolate place where...

The Velvet-Lined Box

A father left his wife & children to work in a distant land to make money to provide for his family. His family loved him & respected him very much. After a while, the father sent his family his 1st letter. Because it was a letter from someone so precious to...

Sultan Murad and the Pious Drunkard

Sultan Murad IV, the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1623-1640, would often anonymously go into the midst of the people and see their state. One evening, he felt an uneasiness in himself and the urge to go out. He called for his head of security and out they went....

Hope and Greed

Caliph Haroon Rashid desired that any one who had seen the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) in his lifetime be brought before him. After some time a very old woman was brought before the Caliph. The Caliph asked the old woman, "Did you see the Prophet...