Denying Oneself for the Benefit of Another

“The best of deeds is when you cause happiness to a believer, either by clothing him, feeding him or doing him a service.”—At-Tabaraani One of the scholars of Najaf relates this exemplary demonstration of self-denial as follows: One day, at a greengrocer’s shop, I witnessed the late Ayatullah Sayyid Ali Aaqa Qaadhi {1366 A.H} busy selecting lettuces.  However, contrary to the normal practice, I observe him selecting those that had become withered and those that possessed large and coarse leaves. He selected the lettuces and handed them to the owner of the shop, who weighed it for him after which, tucking them under his cloak, he moved out of the shop.  I hastened after him and enquired:  “Sir, why did you select the lettuces that were inferior and undesirable?” He replied: “This greengrocer is a poor person and I occasionally help him;…  …however, I do not wish to give him something gratuitously so that firstly, his esteem and honour does not erode and… … secondly, he does not, God forbid, habituate himself to taking things free of charge and thus become lax in his work. I am aware that no one shall purchase these lettuces from him and he shall have to dump them outside when he closes his shop and so,…. … in order to prevent him from suffering losses, I purchased them from him. And as for me, it does not make a difference… … if I eat lettuces that are delicate and tender… … or those that are large and coarse!" Now for you and I, will it also not matter so much, if we suffer a little for the sake of AllahSWT, to benefit our brethren in need? Let’s think about that. PS: The story was adapted from Seema-e-Farzaanegan