The Candle of Faith

A Test in the Marketplace

In the bustling city of Cairo, where merchants called out their finest wares and scholars debated wisdom in the mosques, there lived a poor but righteous man named Omar.

Omar was a candle maker. Every day, he crafted candles with his own hands, selling them in the marketplace. Though he earned little, he never complained. He always thanked Allah for whatever he had.

A wealthy businessman came up to him one evening as he was getting ready to close his small shop. The man was dressed in silk, his fingers adorned with golden rings.

The merchant replied, "Candle maker," "I need one hundred candles by tomorrow morning." I will pay you double.”

Omar's pulse quickened. He had never before made as much money in a week! The merchant continued, "I need them for a grand feast," however. There will be music, wine, and dancing.”

Omar paused. He knew that Islam forbade such gatherings. If he sold his candles, he would earn wealth—but would he also earn Allah’s displeasure?

“Forgive me, sir, but I cannot sell my candles for something that displeases my Lord,” Omar said after taking a deep breath. The seller chuckled. “Foolish man! You will remain poor forever!”

Omar just grinned. “I would rather have Allah’s blessings than your gold.”

The Unexpected Visitor

That night, as Omar sat in his small home, counting his remaining candles, a gentle knock came at the door.

When he opened it, he saw an old blind man, leaning on a wooden cane.

“Peace be upon you,” the man said. “I have lost my way. Could you light a candle for me?”

Omar welcomed him inside and lit a candle. The soft glow filled the room.

The old man sighed. “Ah, the warmth of light! Tell me, my friend, why do you sell candles?”

Omar grinned. "To shine a light where there is none." The old man chuckled. “And yet, you refused to sell your candles to a wealthy merchant. Why?”

Omar replied, “Because light should be used for good, not for sin.”

The old man nodded. “And for that, you will be rewarded.”

The Candle That Never Burned Out

Omar went to his shop as usual the next morning. But something strange had happened.

People gathered around his stall, pointing at one of his candles. It was still burning, even though he had lit it the night before!

A passerby exclaimed, “This is a miracle! A candle that never burns out!”

Soon, word spread throughout Cairo. More and more people came, eager to buy candles from the honest candle maker. Even the Sultan’s advisor heard of the story and invited Omar to the palace.

A Reward Greater Than Gold

At the palace, Omar was brought before the Sultan himself.

“I have heard of your honesty,” the Sultan said. “And I see that Allah has blessed your candles. Tell me, what is your wish?”

Omar bowed humbly. “O Sultan, I ask for nothing. But if you wish to grant a favor, then help the poor and build a mosque where people can worship.”

The Sultan was moved by Omar’s sincerity. “You are richer than any merchant, for your heart is pure.”

The Sultan ordered a grand mosque to be built and gave Omar a place of honor in the palace.

From that day, Omar was no longer a poor candle maker—he was known as Omar the Light Giver, the man whose faith shone brighter than any flame.

Moral of the Story:

Honesty and faith bring greater rewards than wealth.

True light is not in candles, but in a pure heart.

When we choose Allah’s path, we are never truly poor.