The silent charity

Muhammad bin ‘Isa related that a young man would often go to Abdullah bin Mubarak; he studied under him, carried out certain errands for him, and would listen to him relate Hadith narrations. One day, Abdullah went to the city where the young man was living, and when he didn’t find him he asked after him. He was told that the young man was imprisoned for a loan that he could not repay. Abdullah said, “And how much does he owe?” He was told that the young man owed 10000 dirhams. Abdullah searched out the creditor, and when he found him, he gave him 10000 dirhams, but he made the man take an oath that he wouldn’t inform anyone as long as he (i.e. Abdullah) was alive that he gave him the money.

When the young man was released from prison, it was said to him, “Abdullah bin Mubarak was here and was asking after you, but he has already left.” The young man hurried off in search for him and when he found him, Abdullah asked, “Young man, where were you? I could not find you.” He said, “Yes, I was imprisoned because of a debt that I could not pay.” He said, “Then how were you released?” He said, “A man came and paid my debt for me, yet I do not know who he is.” Abdullah said, “Young man, praise Allah for the blessing of having your debt repaid.” And the creditor never informed anyone of what really happened until after Abdullah died.

It has been related that Abu Jafar Ak-Hadhdha said, “I heard Ibn Uyainah say: If your inner reality is the same as your outward appearance and deeds, that that is uprightness; if your inner reality is better than your outward appearance, then that is superiority; and if your outward appearance is better than your inner reality, then that is wrongdoing.”

Source: Gems and Jewels Compiled by: Abdul-Malik Mujahid