Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem
A wise old man was sitting at the
river bank when he saw a cat that had fallen into the water, flailing around, trying to save itself from drowning.
The man decided to save the cat. He
stretched his hand out but was scratched by the cat. He pulled his hand back in pain.
However, a minute later he stretched
his hand out again to save the cat, but it scratched him again, and again he
pulled his hand back in pain.
Another minute later he was yet again
trying for the third time!!
A man, who was nearby watching what
was happening, yelled out: "O wise man, you have not learned your lesson the
first time, nor the second time, and now you are trying to save the cat a third
time?"
The wise man paid no heed to that
man's scolding, and kept on trying until he managed to save the cat.
He then walked over to the man, and
patted his shoulder saying: "My son.. it is in the cat's nature to scratch, and
it is in my nature to love and have sympathy. Why do you want me to let the cat's nature overcome mine !?!!
My son: Treat people according to
your nature, not according to theirs, no matter what they are like and no
matter how numerous are their actions that harm you and cause you hurt
sometimes.
And do not pay heed to all the voices
that loudly call out to you to leave behind your good qualities merely because
the other party is not deserving of your noble actions.
When you live to give happiness to
others, Allah Ta'ala will send you those who will live to give happiness to you.
"Is the reward for good anything
but good?" -55:60
Be beautiful in character and hearts will love you.
So never regret the moments you gave
happiness to someone, even if that person did not deserve it.
And suffice in the fact that you have
a Lord Who will reward you for good with good.
____________
“The entire Deen is (about) good character,
so whoever exceeds you in good character, has exceeded you in the Deen.”
- Ibn
al Qayyum (Rahmatullahi 'alayh)
