A Thousand Camels

In the times of Umar (Radiallahu Anhu) there was a severe famine. All
the people of Madinah were suffering due to the shortage of food. A
caravan made up of a thousand camels loaded with a large stock of food
grains belonging toUthman (Radiallahu Anhu) arrived from Shaam
(Syria). Several merchants offered to buy all of it. He asked them
what profit they would pay. "Five per cent," they said. He answered
that he could get higher profit than that. They began to argue with
him, saying that they did not know of any merchant who would offer him
more than their quote. He saidto them, "I know of one who repays a
profit of more than seven hundred to a dirham (Arabian currency)." He
then recited the verse of the Noble Quran in which Allah Ta'ala
mentioned this profit."The likeness of those who spend their wealth in
the Way of Allah, is as the likeness of a grain (of corn); it grows
seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains. Allah gives manifold
increase to whom He pleases. AndAllah is All-Sufficient for His
creatures' needs, All-Knower." (2:261).
"O traders! Bear witness with me that I donate allthis to the poor
people of Madinah!" said Uthman (Radiallahu Anhu).
Source: Related by Shaikh Habibullah Mukhtaar in his book"Bringing Up
Children in Islaam" in the chapter ofGenerosity.
Dear readers, what ever we give for the sake of Allah is really ours
and whatever we keep with us will one day be someone else's. Let us
follow the footsteps of our Prophet and the pious Sahabah, with whom
Allah was pleased with, by helping the needy ones in this blessed
month of Ramadan.