Story No. 261 – Blessed Money: Simplicity in Islam or Simplicity of Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw)

At the request of Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw), Hadrat Ali Murtada (as) went to buy a shirt for him. Hadrat Ali Murtada (as) went to the market and bought a shirt for twelve Dirhams. Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) asked.

 

“For how many Dirhams did you buy it?”

“For twelve Dirhams.”

“I didn’t like it, I want a cheaper one. Would the shopkeeper take it back?”

“I don’t know, O Messenger of Allah (saw).”

“Please go and see if he agrees to take it back.”

 

Hadrat Ali Murtada (as) took the shirt to the shopkeeper and said to him: “Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) wants a cheaper shirt; would you agree to take it back and give back the money?”

 

The shopkeeper agreed to do so and he gave the money back to Hadrat Ali Murtada (as). Hadrat Ali Murtada (as) took the money to Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw). After this, Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) and Hadrat Ali Murtada (as) went to the market together. While on the way, Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) saw a slave girl, who was crying. He went to her and asked:

 

“Why are you crying?”

 

My master gave me four Dirhams to buy things from the market. I don’t know where that money got lost. Now, I don’t have the courage to go home.

 

Out of twelve Dirhams, Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) gave four Dirhams to the slave girl and said: “Buy whatever you had to buy and go back home.”

 

Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw), himself, went to the market and after buying a shirt for four Dirhams, he put it on.

 

While coming back from the market, Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) saw an undressed man. He (saw) quickly took off his shirt and gave it to him. Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) again went to the shop and bought another shirt for four Dirhams. He put it on. On his way, he again saw the same slave girl, who was sitting scared and troubled. Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) asked:

 

“Why didn’t you go home?”

 

“O Messenger of Allah (saw), it’s too late for me and I am scared that they might beat me and ask as to why I took so long.”

 

“Tell me the address of your house and come with me, so that I might request that no one should say anything to you.” Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) took the slave girl with him. As soon as they reached near the house, the slave girl said: “This is the house.” With a loud voice, Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said:

 

“My salaam to you, the inhabitants of this house.”

 

Assalamu Alaikum ya Rasool AllahHoly Prophet Muhammad (saw) didn’t get any reply; so he (saw) again said, Salaam. But still he got no reply. Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said Salaam for the third time and then everyone replied saying: “Assalamu Alaikum ya Rasool Allah.”

 

“Why didn’t you people respond me for the first time? Did you not hear my voice?”

 

“Yes! After hearing your voice for the first time itself, we came to know that it was you.”

 

“Then what was the reason for the delay in response?”

 

“O Messenger of Allah (saw), we loved to hear your voice (Salaam) again and again. Your Salaam is virtuous, peace and blessing for us.”

 

“Your slave girl has taken long in coming back. Hence, I have come to request that you don’t punish her.”

 

“O the Messenger of Allah (saw)! By the blessing of your gracious coming over to our place, we have set this slave girl free.” Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: “Thanks a million to Allah (SWT). How blessed these twelve Dirhams were; with which two undressed persons got dressed as well as a slave girl got free.”