True Sacrifice

[ummtaalib]

Imam Waaqidi, a great Wali of his time was poor and once at the time of ‘Eid his wife requested him to see if he could get something at least for the children. He set off to borrow some money from a friend who was a trader. The friend immediately handed over a sealed bag with 1200 dirhams in it. Arriving home he had just handed over the bag to his wife when there was a knock on the door. It was another friend of his who was in a similar situation and he asked Imam Waaqidi for help. He consulted his wife who in turn asked for his opinion. When he suggested they hand over half (even though he personally wished to give it all) she advised him to give it all and he handed over the bag to his friend leaving his family with nothing for ‘Eid.

 

Soon after this his trader friend, from whom he had borrowed the money, arrived enquiring about the bag. Imam Waaqidi was hesitant to disclose his actions however on his friend’s insistence he told him what had taken place. The trader friend then explained that when Imam Waaqidi had arrived asking for help he did not have anything except the bag which he had handed over to him. His family was also in need and his wife also requested him to try to get something for ‘Eid and so had gone to the friend to ask for help who in turn handed over the bag which he recognised as his own and which he had given to Imam Waqidi only a short time before. He was perplexed as to how that bag had reached his other friend and that was the reason for his insistence for an explanation.

 

Each of the three friends had been prepared to sacrifice all for a friend in need!