Basic
Wisdom
Surah: Ad-Duha (11)
The Leper, the Bald, and the Blind — Gratitude for Blessings and Ingratitude
وَأَمَّا بِنِعۡمَةِ رَبِّكَ فَحَدِّثۡ
— الضحى الآية 11
Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari (3464) — from Abu Hurairah
Story: Allah wished to test three men from the Children of Israel: a leper, a bald man, and a blind man. An angel came to the leper and asked what he would love most. He said: good color and skin — people find me repulsive. The angel touched him and he was healed and given camels. Then the angel asked about the origin of his wealth — and he denied it, claiming it was inherited. Likewise the bald man with sheep. But the blind man said: Allah restored my sight — everything I have belongs to Allah and you may take it. The angel left him and departed.
Lesson:
Story: Allah wished to test three men from the Children of Israel: a leper, a bald man, and a blind man. An angel came to the leper and asked what he would love most. He said: good color and skin — people find me repulsive. The angel touched him and he was healed and given camels. Then the angel asked about the origin of his wealth — and he denied it, claiming it was inherited. Likewise the bald man with sheep. But the blind man said: Allah restored my sight — everything I have belongs to Allah and you may take it. The angel left him and departed.
Lesson:
- Blessing is a test — given so that gratitude or ingratitude in its bearer becomes manifest
- The leper and bald man chose to forget and lie about the origin of their blessing
- The blind man was saved because he connected the blessing to its source — Allah — without possessiveness
- Acknowledgment of blessing is itself an act of worship
Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari (3464) — Narrated by Abu Hurairah
Test Yourself
What was the difference between the leper and bald man on one hand, and the blind man on the other?
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