The Forgotten Purse That Taught Me Faith

A Forgotten Purse and a Lesson in Faith

BY:Khan

Life often teaches us lessons in the most unexpected ways. Some experiences leave such a deep impression that they remain etched in memory forever, not only as personal anecdotes but also as reminders of faith, trust, and divine protection. One such incident happened to me many years ago, during a wedding in our family. Though it took only a few hours to unfold, the memory of that day has lived with me ever since.

It was the wedding of a close relative, and my mother and I were invited to attend the function at the Pearl Continental Hotel, one of the most prestigious hotels in our city. Such events were not a frequent part of our lives, so going there itself felt special. My mother, dressed modestly yet elegantly, seemed excited but slightly reserved, as she always was on social occasions.

When we reached the hotel, the grand lights, beautifully decorated halls, and the hustle of the wedding festivities welcomed us warmly. Relatives and acquaintances filled the venue with laughter and conversation. Amidst the ceremony, one of our close family members approached us. He greeted my mother affectionately and handed her a large sum of money, saying gently, “This is an amanat (a trust). Please keep it with you. When I need it, I will take it back.” My mother, as trustworthy as she always was, carefully placed the money inside her purse. She held onto it with a sense of responsibility, as if guarding not only her own belongings but also the faith someone had placed in her.

The evening passed in the usual way — with greetings, food, and the joy that weddings bring. Soon, it was time to leave. We walked down to the parking area, where cars, scooters, and motorbikes stood in neat rows under the dim yellow lights. As my mother prepared to step into the car, she paused. Adjusting her burqa before getting seated, she placed her purse for a moment on the seat of a nearby scooter. It was a simple action, one of those ordinary things we do without much thought. Once she had adjusted her clothing, she got into the car, completely forgetting that her purse — with all the money and valuables inside — was still resting on that scooter seat.

I started the car, unaware of what had just happened, and we drove off. Halfway through our journey home, I decided to stop at a petrol station to refuel the car. As the attendant filled the tank, I casually asked my mother, “Can you please hand me some cash from your purse?”

It was at that moment her face changed. A sudden realization struck her like lightning. She gasped and placed her hand on her forehead. “Oh no,” she said in a trembling voice, “I left my purse on the scooter when I was fixing my burqa. I forgot to pick it up before getting into the car.”

My heart sank. I couldn’t believe what I had just heard. The purse didn’t just have her money; it also carried the large sum entrusted to her by our relative. Losing it meant not only financial loss but also the betrayal of someone’s trust. I felt panic rise within me. “Mother, that purse had so much money! What if it’s gone? What will we tell him? How will we explain this?”

She looked at me with calm eyes, though I could sense her worry beneath them. “Don’t worry,” she said softly but with conviction, “Allah is merciful. I have full faith that He will protect it. That purse will still be there.”

Her unwavering belief in God surprised me. To me, it seemed almost impossible. The hotel parking lot was always busy. Many people must have come and gone in that half an hour. How could a purse, left openly on a scooter seat, remain untouched for so long? Still, without wasting another moment, I turned the car around and headed back toward the hotel.

The entire drive back, I was restless. My mind played out all sorts of scenarios — someone might have already picked up the purse, the money could be gone, or perhaps the purse itself would no longer be there. Yet my mother remained calm, repeating quietly under her breath: “Allah is the Protector. He will not let it be lost.”

Finally, we reached the hotel. My heart pounded as I parked the car and hurried back to the spot where we had left. And there it was — the purse, sitting exactly where my mother had left it, resting untouched on the scooter seat, as if no one had even noticed it.

With trembling hands, my mother picked it up and immediately opened it. Every single rupee was still inside. Nothing was missing. The trust of our relative was safe, and so was her own money. We stood there, overwhelmed with relief and gratitude.

That moment felt like more than luck. It was, in truth, an example of God’s mercy and protection. In a crowded parking lot, where countless people must have passed by, not a single one laid eyes on that purse. My mother’s faith had not wavered, and her trust in God was answered in the most beautiful way.

Years have passed since that day, but the memory is as fresh as ever. Whenever I think of it, I am reminded of how fragile our sense of control truly is, and how often we are powerless in situations we cannot manage ourselves. Yet, faith gives us strength. My mother’s calm conviction that God would protect what was entrusted to her was something I had never fully understood until that night.

For me, the incident was more than just the recovery of a purse. It was a powerful lesson in trust, faith, and divine mercy. Life often surprises us, but sometimes, those surprises become stories of hope that we carry forever.