Pleasant Stories & Anecdotes — Page 18
18 Story of a Sage and a Thief A sage was travelling, and he happened to pass through a forest where a thief lived who used to rob the travellers. As per his habit, when he was about to rob this holy man, the sage said: 1 َ ُوۡعَدُو�ۡن ُکُم ۡ و َ مَا �ت ت �ۡ ن ِی السَّمَآء ِ ر�ِ ن � َ و That is, your provision is stored in the heavens. Trust in God and become righteous. Abandon theft. God, Himself shall fulfil your needs. The advice affected the heart of the robber. He let the sage go and acted on his advice. The robber started getting lavish food in gold and silver platters. He threw the platters outside his hut after his meals. Incidentally, the same sage passed by again. The robber who had become a pious and righteous person described all his inner state to the sage and asked, ‘Relate to me another verse’. The sage recited: 2 ٌّ ت �ََّہ ٗ لَح ن �ِا ِ ن ِّ السَّمَآء ِ و َ الَۡر�ۡ ج �ََو َ ر ن � Hearing these sacred words had such effect on him that the great- ness of God settled on his heart, and he passed away in that state. My dear ones! You noticed what blessings are gained through trust in God, and what wealth is attained through adopting 1. S u rah adh-Dh a riy a t, 51:23 [Publisher] 2. And by the Lord of the Heaven and the earth, it is certainly the truth. ( S u rah adh-Dh a riy a t, 51:24). [Publisher]