1. A Hardworking Man
There was a man who supported his old mother, wife, and child.
He worked for a nobleman (a rich man).
He worked honestly, worked hard, and never complained.
2. He Didn't Come to Work One Day
One day, he suddenly didn't come to work.
The nobleman thought to himself:
"Maybe he wants a pay raise. That's why he's on leave — so that I can appreciate his value myself!"
He decided:
"I'll give him an extra dinar (coin) tomorrow so that he won't be absent in the future."
3. Return the Next Day and Reward
When the man returned the next day, the nobleman gave him his salary and also gave him an extra dinar.
The worker only thanked him — didn't ask questions, and didn't express his happiness.
4. Absence Again After a Few Days
A few days passed, and the worker disappeared again for a day.
This time, the nobleman was angry.
He said:
"First, I gave a reward. Now, I will punish!"
This time, he deducted one dinar from his salary.
5. No Complaint, No Question
The worker came, quietly took his salary, did not ask, and did not express regret.
The nobleman was very surprised.
6. The Nobleman's Question and the Worker's Answer
The nobleman said:
"Even when I increased your salary, you didn’t say anything. And when I reduced it, you remained silent? What’s the matter?"
The worker replied politely:
"The first time I was absent, Allah blessed me with a son.
And when you increased my salary, I thought in my heart that this increase was the sustenance of the son who came with me.
The second time I didn’t come, my mother passed away.
When you reduced my salary, I thought that this was the same sustenance that went back with my mother."
7. Simple Lesson
What a person earns is not only through his own hard work, but also by the command of Allah.
Sometimes, someone who arrives brings sustenance with them.
And sometimes, when someone departs, their share of sustenance goes with them.
Only those who practice gratitude and patience understand the secrets of Allah.
🌿 May Allah grant us contentment with sustenance, patience, and the wealth of gratitude. Ameen.
