November 4, 2011

For the rulers of today

The Story of Hazrat Abdul Aziz RA and the Pearl
The story is told of the Caliph Hazrat Abdul Aziz RA that he had a pearl of great beauty and value set in a ring.
Shortly after, a severe drought occurred, causing great distress among the people. Moved by compassion, the king ordered the pearl be sold and the money it fetched to be given to the poor.

Someone chided him for doing this, saying, “Never again will such a stone come into thy hands.”

Weeping, the king replied, “Ugly is an ornament upon the person of a king when the hearts of his people are distressed by want. Better for me is a stoneless ring than a sorrowing people.”


Happy is he who sets the ease of others above his own. The virtuous desire not their own pleasure at the expense of others. When kings sleep neglectfully upon their couches, I do not trust that beggars find enviable repose.

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