Story of the men selling a camel
One day the holy Prophet of Allah was going somewhere when he met a man selling a camel.
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) liked the camel and bought it at an agreed price. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) did not have money with him at the time. So he asked the camel dealer to follow him up to his home. And he would pay him his due.
The man agreed. As they were going, another man approached and asked the camel dealer if he was selling his camel and for how much. He said that he already sold the camel to the holy Prophet for such an amount. But This man offered him a better price and he agreed to sell the camel to him. So, The holy Prophet (PBUH) said to the camel dealer that he had already sold the camel to him. So, it was wrong to break the agreement just like that. The man denied making any agreement.
Whilst all this was going on, the passers-by stopped and wondered as to what was going on. The Apostle of Allah explained exactly what happened.
Companions of Prophet (PBUH):
Companions of Prophet of Allah, do you have any witnesses to support your claim?”
Holy Prophet (PBUH):
No. We have no witnesses as there was no one present when the agreement was made.
Sahaba:
Sorry, we don’t think we can help you. How can we be sure who is telling the truth and who is lying?
Allah is witness
A very close companion of the Holy Prophet, Khuzaymah ibn Thabit happened to pass by and saw the Holy Prophet (PBUH) surrounded by the people. On inquiring about it, came to know what happened.
Khuzaymah ibn Thabit:
The Prophet of Allah is telling the truth and the camel dealer is lying.
The Prophet of Allah (PBUH):
But you were not present when the agreement was made. So how can you judge without being there?
Hazrat Khuzaymah ibn Thabit:
O Prophet of Allah, you said that there is Allah and we believed you, even though we haven’t seen Him.
You told us that Qur’an is the word of Allah and we believed you. You told us about angels, heaven, and hell and we thought of you. Even though we haven’t seen all these things. How is it possible that you would lie about such a petty thing?
Moral of Selling Camel Story:
The moral of the story is that there were some sahabah who walked, sat, and ate with the Prophet of Allah(PBUH). But he did not grasp his inner personality and at the same time, there were also some other companions of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) who understood him physically as well as spiritually. Islam has put a lot of emphasis on enjoining good and prohibiting evil. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has given a beautiful example which is as follows.
Similarly, when you see sins committed in your community, society, or nation, and if you turn a blind eye, you all will be answerable to God Almighty. liable for His punishment and for spreading corruption. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
“When you see something wrong happening in your community or society. It is obligatory to confront it and stop it. If you have the power to speak out against the evil committed, it will be the jihad with your tongue. Somehow if you have no power to speak but you can write against it, it will be jihad with your pen.
If you can neither speak nor write. but have money to pay someone who can do the job for you, it will be jihad with your wealth. If you cannot do anything then have hatred towards such acts and this is the weakest form of jihad.”
