HOPE AND GREED
Caliph Haroon Rashid desired that any one who had seen the Holy
Prophet (SAW) in his lifetime be brought before him. After some time a very old woman was brought before the Caliph. The Caliph asked the 
old woman, “Did you see the Prophet yourself?” She said, “Yes! Sir.” 
The Caliph then asked her if she remembered any narration from him. She said yes and said, “When old age comes two things become young,
one is hope and the other is greed.” The Caliph thanked her and gave her one hundred dinars. The woman thanked Caliph and she was taken back.
 
 Half the way some thought passed through her mind and she desired 
to be brought before the Caliph once more. When she was shown in, the Caliph asked, “Well, why have you come back?” She said. “I just came to
inquire whether the monies you gave me were once for all or is it to continue every year?”
 
 
The Caliph thought. “How true is the Prophet’s (SAW) word?” she has hope of life even now and she has greed for money too. The Caliph said, “Don’t worry; you will be paid every year.” 
She was taken back but on the way she breathed her last.
 
 
 
 FOUR WIVES
Once upon a time. There was a rich merchant who had 4 wives. He loved the 4th wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to delicacies. He took great care of her & gave her nothing but the best.
 
 
He also loved the 3rd wife very much. He’s very proud of her and always wanted to show off her to
his friends. However, the merchant is always in fear that she might run away with some other men.
 
 He too, loved his 2nd wife. She is a very considerate person, always patient & in fact is the 
merchant’s confidante. Whenever the merchant faced some problems, he always turned to his 2ndwife and she would always help him out and tide him through difficult times.
 
 Now, the merchant’s 1st wife is a very loyal partner and has made great contributions in 
maintaining his wealth and business as well as taking care of the household. However, the 
merchant did not love the 1st wife and although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her.
 
 
One day, the merchant fell ill. Before long, he knew that he was going to die soon. He thought of 
his luxurious life and told himself, “Now I have 4 wives with me. But when I die, I’ll be alone. How
lonely I’ll be!” Thus, he asked the 4th wife, “I loved you most, endowed you with the finest clothing
and showered great care over you. Now that I’m dying, will you follow me and keep me company?” “No way!” replied the 4th wife and she walked away without another
word. Answer cut like a sharp knife right into the merchant’s heart.
 
 The sad merchant then asked the 3rd wife, “I have loved you so much
for all my life. Now that I’m dying, will you follow me and keep me
company?”
 
“No!” replied the 3rd wife. “Life is so good over here! I’m going to
remarry when you die!” The merchant’s heart sank and turned cold.
 
 
He then asked the 2nd wife, “I always turned to you for help and
you’ve always helped me out. Now I need your help again. When I die, will you follow me and keep
me company?” “I’m sorry, I can’t help you out this time!” replied the 2nd wife.” “At the very most, 
I can only send you to your grave.” Answer came like a bolt of thunder & merchant was devastated.
 
 Then a voice called out: “I’ll leave with you. I’ll follow you no matter where you go.” The merchant
looked up and there was his 1st wife. She was so skinny, almost like she suffered from malnutrition.
 
 Greatly grieved, the merchant said, “I should have taken much better care of you while I could have!”
 
Actually, we all have 4 wives in our lives. The 4th wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it’ll leave us when we die.
100 Moral Stories 43 www.islamicoccasions.com
 
 Our 3rd wife is our possessions, status and wealth. When we die, they all go to others.
 
 
The 2nd wife is our family and friends. No matter how close they had been there for us when we’re alive, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave.
 
 The 1st wife is in fact our soul, often neglected in our pursuit of material wealth & sensual pleasure.
 
 Guess what? It is actually the only thing that follows us wherever we go. Perhaps it’s a good idea to cul- tivate and strengthen it now rather than to wait until we’re on our deathbed to lament.