Story No. 388 – Imam Moosa Al-Kadhim (as) and Kindness:

There was a poor uneducated farmer who was very rude to our 7th Imam, Imam Musa Al-Kadhim (as) whenever he saw him.

 

No matter how rude this man was, Imam Musa Al-Kadhim (as) never got angry and he never said anything to the man.

 

Imam Musa Al-Kadhim’s (as) friends wanted to punish the rude man, but Imam Musa Al-Kadhim (as) would not allow them to. Imam Musa Al-Kadhim (as) told them that he himself would teach this man a lesson.

 

One day Imam Musa Al-Kadhim (as) rode out to the rude man’s farm where the man was working. When the man saw Imam Musa Al-Kadhim (as) he stopped working and put his hands on his hips, ready to be abusive again.

 

Imam Musa Al-Kadhim (as) dismounted, went towards the man and greeted him with a friendly, smiling face. Imam Musa Al-Kadhim (as) then told him that he should not overwork himself and that the land he had was very good. He then asked him how much he was expecting to receive for the crop.

 

Imam Moosa Al-Kadhim (as)The farmer was amazed at Imam Musa Al-Kadhim (as) politeness and sincerity, he waited a little then said that he was expecting to get around 200 gold pieces. Imam Musa Al-Kadhim (as) took out a purse and gave it to the farmer telling him that in it was 300 gold pieces, more than the value of his crop. Imam Musa Al-Kadhim (as) told the man to take the money and also to keep the crop, and that he hoped the man would receive more for it.

 

The farmer faced with such kind behavior and good manner (Akhlaq), was very ashamed of himself and asked Imam Musa Al-Kadhim (as) for forgiveness.

 

After that when ever the man would see Imam Musa Al-Kadhim (as) he would greet him very politely. Imam Musa Al-Kadhim’s (as) friends were very surprised!

 

Moral: Do not treat people the way they treat you but always better. Give to people even if they do not act as if they deserve it.