Manage Your Problems, Protect Your Honour and Rely on Allah (SWT) Alone

“Three things are the treasure of righteousness: suppressing the complaint, hiding the misfortune and hiding the charity.” {At-Tabaraani}

Mufazzal bin Qais ran into financial problems, debts and consequent stress. He came to imam Jafar al-Sadiq (RA) and shared his deplorable circumstances with him. 

“I am in great debt and can not figure out how to raise money to cover expenses of my family. I cannot help myself in any way and have asked almost everyone for a loan, but now, when people see me coming they close their doors in my face.” 

His condition was pathetic!

“Please pray that I find some means of earning a living.” He requested. 

“I came to request you to pray to almighty Allah to put an end to my misfortune and difficulties.” He added.

The imam called a maidservant and asked her to bring the pouch containing money sent by Mansoor. The maidservant complied with his wishes and brought the pouch.

Jafar al-Sadiq gave it to Mufazzal and said, “Take this. It contains 400 dinars. It will support you for some days.”

Mufazzal, embarrassed but grateful said, “I did not mean to ask you for money. I only came to ask you to pray for me.” {He might not have meant so, but that was logically what the narration of his woes implied. Now read the words of Al-Jafar Sadiq as follows}

The imam said, “I will pray for you. However, I’d like to add a word of advice. Never advertise your difficulties and problems. This will inform people that you are a failure, an unsuccessful person. 

They will treat you with such contempt that it will destroy your self-esteem and ruin your personality.”

References:

Anecdotes of Ahlul Bayt