The Merchant and the Mysterious Beggar

In the bustling city of Baghdad, during the golden age of Islam, there lived a wealthy merchant named Hassan. He was known for his vast trade empire, fine silks, and rare spices, but his heart was burdened with arrogance. Though he prayed and gave charity, he did so more for recognition than out of sincerity.

One day, as he walked through the marketplace, a frail old beggar dressed in ragged clothes approached him. The beggar’s eyes, though weary, shone with an unusual wisdom. “O merchant,” he called, “give me a piece of bread, for I have not eaten in days.”

Hassan scoffed. “Why should I give you anything? You are strong enough to work. Begging is beneath a man’s honor.”

The beggar smiled. “A man’s honor is not in his wealth, but in his deeds.”

Angered by the response, Hassan walked away. That night, however, he could not sleep. The beggar’s words echoed in his mind. He dismissed it and continued his daily affairs.

Days passed, and Hassan’s fortunes took a strange turn. His ships, which had always returned with profits, were lost in a sudden storm. His storehouses caught fire, and debts piled up. His friends abandoned him, and soon, he found himself as poor as the beggar he had scorned.

With no one left to turn to, he wandered the streets, hungry and ashamed. Then, he saw the same beggar sitting under a tree. Swallowing his pride, Hassan approached and said, “O wise man, I mocked you when I was rich, and now I stand before you with nothing.”

The beggar smiled warmly and gestured for him to sit. “Tell me, Hassan, what have you learned?”

Hassan lowered his gaze. “I have learned that wealth is a test, not a reward. That kindness and humility are greater treasures than gold.”

The beggar nodded. “Then you have gained more than you have lost.”

At that moment, the beggar’s face shone with a divine light. “O Hassan, I am not an ordinary man, but an angel sent to test you. Allah gives and takes, to see who remains grateful and who remains arrogant.”

Hassan fell to his knees, tears streaming down his face. “Forgive me!”

The angel placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Your wealth will be restored, but now you will use it wisely. Remember, true riches are found in the heart.”

The next morning, Hassan awoke in his bed, thinking it had been a dream. But when he checked his accounts, he found his wealth returned. From that day on, he became a generous man, giving to the poor and helping those in need. His heart, once filled with arrogance, now overflowed with gratitude and kindness.

Moral: Wealth and power are temporary, but kindness and humility leave a lasting legacy.