The Boy Who Returned the Lost Purse
The Boy Who Returned the Lost Purse
In the heart of the ancient city of Damascus, there lived a young boy named Hamid. He was the son of a humble weaver, and though their family lived in modest conditions, Hamid’s heart was filled with faith and honesty. His father often reminded him of the words of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ: “Truthfulness leads to righteousness, and righteousness leads to Paradise.”
One bright morning, Hamid was walking through the bustling marketplace, weaving through rows of colorful fabrics, fragrant spices, and traders calling out their wares. As he stepped near a stall selling fine silk, his eyes fell upon something lying on the ground—a small leather purse, heavy and sealed tightly. Curiosity stirred within him, and he picked it up. When he opened the pouch, his eyes widened in shock. Inside were dozens of gold dinars, glistening in the sunlight.
Hamid’s heart began to race. He thought of his family’s struggles—his father working long hours, his mother stretching every coin to feed them. This gold could change everything. For a brief moment, temptation whispered to him, “Keep it. No one will know.” But Hamid quickly remembered Allah’s command and his father’s teachings. He closed the purse and whispered, “Astaghfirullah. This is not mine.”
Determined to find the owner, Hamid stayed in the market for hours, asking the merchants and passersby if they had lost a purse. Many shook their heads, and some even smirked, saying, “Why return it? No one would return such wealth!” Hamid ignored their words, for his heart was firm in faith.
As the sun began to set, a wealthy old man with tears in his eyes entered the market, calling out, “Has anyone seen a leather purse? I have lost my life’s savings!” The man’s voice trembled with desperation. Hamid approached him and asked, “What does your purse look like?” The man described it perfectly—the stitching, the leather, and even the exact number of coins inside. Without hesitation, Hamid reached into his satchel and returned the purse.
The man stared in disbelief, then clutched Hamid’s hands with gratitude. “My son,” he said with tears streaming down his cheeks, “you could have kept this, and no one would know. Why return it?” Hamid lowered his gaze and replied softly, “Because Allah knows. And His pleasure is worth more than all the gold in the world.”
The old man was so moved that he offered Hamid a handful of coins as a reward. But Hamid shook his head and said, “No, sir. I seek no reward except from Allah.” The man made a heartfelt dua for Hamid, saying, “May Allah bless you with more than you can imagine.”
Hamid returned home that evening with nothing but peace in his heart. When his father heard what happened, he embraced Hamid and said, “My son, you have honored our family and earned Allah’s pleasure. This is greater than any wealth.”
Years later, Hamid grew into a respected merchant, known far and wide for his honesty. His story became a lesson for the people of Damascus—that integrity and faith bring blessings greater than gold, and that true wealth lies in the contentment of a pure heart.
