A Lesson That Should Be Remembered
The True Joy of Giving: A Story That Transformed a Student’s Understanding of Kindness
The Story That Changed Everything
It is said that a wise scholar was walking with one of his students through the fields. As they walked, they saw an old shoe that they believed belonged to a poor worker in a nearby field who would finish his work soon.
The student turned to his teacher and said: “Let’s play a trick on this worker by hiding his shoe and watching his confusion when he can’t find it!”
The wise scholar replied: “My son, we should never amuse ourselves at the expense of the poor. But since you are wealthy, you can bring yourself more happiness by putting some coins in his shoe. Then we can hide and watch his reaction.”
The student liked the idea and put coins in the worker’s shoe. They hid behind the bushes to see the worker’s reaction.
After a few minutes, a poor worker in tattered clothes came to get his shoe after finishing his work in the field. To his surprise, he felt something in his shoe. When he took it out, he found money! He did the same with the other shoe and found more money.
He looked at the money in disbelief, making sure he wasn’t dreaming. He looked around but saw no one. He put the money in his pocket, knelt down, looked up to the sky with tears in his eyes, and said aloud to his Lord: “Thank you, O Lord, who knew that my wife is sick and my children are hungry with no bread. You have saved me and my children from ruin.” He continued to cry for a long time, looking up to the sky in gratitude for this blessed divine gift.
The student was deeply moved, and his eyes filled with tears. The wise scholar then said: “Aren’t you now happier than if you had followed your first suggestion and hidden the shoe?” The student replied: “I have learned a lesson I will never forget in my life. Now I understand the meaning of words I never understood before: ‘When you give, you will be happier than when you take.'”
The scholar then taught him: “Now learn that giving has many forms: – Forgiving when you have the power to punish is giving – Praying for your brother in his absence is giving – Seeking excuses for others and removing bad suspicions is giving – Refraining from backbiting your brother is giving So these are some forms of giving, so that the wealthy are not the only ones who can give.”
Quranic Perspective on Giving
(Quran 2:272)
(Quran 2:261)
Allah promises that whatever we spend in His cause will be repaid to us, not just equally, but multiplied many times over. The story illustrates this divine promise in a tangible, human experience.
Prophetic Teachings on Generosity
The Prophet (ﷺ) taught us that charity isn’t just about money – even a smile or removing an obstacle from someone’s path is considered charity. The story beautifully illustrates how small acts of kindness can have profound impacts.
Lessons from the Story
The wise scholar taught his student profound lessons about the nature of true generosity:
- True Happiness Comes from Giving: The student experienced firsthand that giving brings more joy than taking or playing tricks on others.
- Generosity Transforms Lives: A small act of kindness can completely change someone’s circumstances, as seen with the poor worker.
- Gratitude is Powerful: The worker’s heartfelt gratitude to Allah shows how generosity creates a chain reaction of goodness.
- Forms of Giving are Many: The scholar explained that giving isn’t limited to money – forgiveness, prayers, and kindness are all forms of charity.
- Everyone Can Give: The story emphasizes that generosity isn’t just for the wealthy – everyone has something to offer.
“Cooperate with one another in goodness and righteousness, and do not cooperate in sin and aggression.”
Different Forms of Giving
The scholar in the story taught that giving takes many forms beyond financial charity:
Islam teaches that generosity is not limited to financial giving. Every act of kindness, every positive word, every effort to help others is considered charity and will be rewarded by Allah.
Applying the Lesson in Our Lives
This beautiful story teaches us practical ways to implement generosity in our daily lives:
- Look for Opportunities to Give: Be aware of those around us who might need help, even in small ways.
- Give Without Expecting Return: True generosity is giving for Allah’s sake, not for recognition or reward.
- Remember the Reward is with Allah: Even if our giving isn’t acknowledged by people, Allah sees and rewards all good deeds.
- Teach Others About Giving: Share this story and its lessons to inspire generosity in others.
- Practice Different Forms of Charity: From smiles to forgiveness to physical help, find ways to give daily.
- Be Grateful for the Chance to Give: Recognize that the ability to give is itself a blessing from Allah.
(Quran 76:9)
The most sincere giving is that which is done purely for Allah’s pleasure, without expectation of thanks or reward from people. This story reminds us that true generosity transforms both the giver and the receiver.
Conclusion: The True Joy of Giving
This powerful story teaches us that:
True happiness comes not from what we receive, but from what we give. The poor worker’s gratitude and the student’s transformation show how generosity creates a ripple effect of goodness that benefits everyone involved.
As we reflect on this story, let us:
- Look for opportunities to practice generosity in all its forms
- Remember that even small acts of kindness can have profound impacts
- Teach our children the value of giving and sharing
- Be grateful for the blessings Allah has given us that enable us to give
- Trust in Allah’s promise that our giving will be repaid many times over
- Find joy in the act of giving itself, not in recognition or reward
“Fear Allah wherever you are, follow up a bad deed with a good deed which will wipe it out, and treat people with good character.”
May this story inspire us to cultivate generosity in our hearts and actions, remembering that every act of kindness, no matter how small, is valued by Allah and can transform lives.
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