The Angel’s Test: A Powerful Islamic Story on Gratitude and Wealth
Once, Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam related that there were three men from the Banu Israeel. One of them was a leper, the other bald, and the third blind. Allah Ta’ala wanted to test them, so He sent an angel to them.
The Leper’s Wish: A Cure and Wealth
The angel first went to the leper and asked him, “What would you like most?” He replied, “I would like a nice complexion, beautiful skin, and that this sickness goes away from me, as people do not allow me to sit with them and they hate me because of it.” The angel passed his hand over the man’s body, and he was immediately cured; a nice skin and beautiful complexion appeared. The angel then asked him, “What type of wealth do you like the most?” He replied, “Camels.” So, the angel gave him a pregnant camel and told him, “May Allah Ta’ala give you barakah in this.”
The Bald Man’s Desire: Hair and Prosperity
The angel then went to the bald person and asked him, “What would you like most?” He replied, “That my hair grows nicely and that this sickness, which people dislike, goes away from me.” The angel passed his hand over his head, and he was immediately cured; beautiful hair began to grow. The angel then asked him, “What type of wealth do you like the most?” He replied, “Cows.” So, the angel gave him a pregnant cow and told him, “May Allah Ta’ala give you barakah in this.”
The Blind Man’s Prayer: Sight and Riches
Eventually, the angel went to the blind person and asked him, “What would you like most?” He replied, “That Allah gives me back my sight so that I may be able to see everyone.” The angel passed his hand over his eyes, and Allah gave him back his sight. The angel then asked him, “What type of wealth do you like the most?” He replied, “Goats.” So, he was given a pregnant goat. The animals of all three men delivered their offspring, and soon the jungle was filled with their camels, cows, and goats.
The Test of Gratitude: The Angel’s Return
The Ungrateful Responses: Consequences for the Leper and Bald Man
Thereafter, under the orders of Allah Ta’ala, the angel went in his previous form to the leper and said, “I am a poor person. All my provisions for my journey are finished. Today, I have no means of reaching home except through Allah and then through your help. In the name of Allah, who has blessed you with nice skin and a beautiful complexion, I ask you for a camel that I could ride to reach my home.” The leper replied, “Get far away from here! I have many other commitments to fulfill. I do not have anything to spare that I could give you.” The angel said, “I think I recognize you. Were you not a leper, despised by people? Were you not very poor, and then Allah blessed you with so much wealth?” The leper replied, “What are you talking about? I inherited this wealth from my ancestors.” The angel said, “If you are lying, may Allah return you to your previous state.”
The angel then went to the bald person in his previous form and asked him the same questions, and he also replied in the same way. So, the angel said to him, “If you are lying, may Allah return you to your previous state.”
The Grateful Blind Man: A Reward for Humility
Finally, the angel went to the blind person in his original form and said, “I am a traveler, and all my provisions are finished. Today, I have no means except Allah and then you. In the name of the One who restored your eyesight, I ask you for a goat so that I can complete my journey.” The blind man replied, “Without a doubt, I was blind. It was only out of His mercy that Allah Ta’ala gave me back my eyesight. Take as much as you want and leave behind as much as you want. By Allah, I will not stop you from taking anything.” The angel replied, “Keep your wealth with you; I do not want anything. I had only come to test you three. Now the test is over, and Allah is pleased with you and displeased with the other two.”
Lessons in Gratitude: Moral Reflections on the Story
Imagine the scenario: two of the three men, who had once been afflicted with severe conditions—leprosy and baldness—had their prayers answered in miraculous ways. They were blessed with health, beauty, and immense wealth. However, when they were tested on their gratitude, they failed miserably. The very blessings they had received, which should have reminded them of Allah’s mercy and power, became the source of their downfall.
Their ungratefulness wasn’t just a simple matter of neglecting to say “alhamdulillah’. It was a profound rejection of the mercy and favor that had been bestowed upon them. When the angel returned, disguised as a traveler in need, and asked for a small portion of what they had been given, they refused to help. They denied their past afflictions and falsely claimed that their wealth was inherited. This denial and arrogance showed a complete lack of humility and gratitude.
As a result, the angel revealed their true nature. He reminded them of their past, their suffering, and how Allah had transformed their lives. But their refusal to acknowledge this left them vulnerable to divine justice. In an instant, all their wealth and blessings were taken away, and they were reverted to their original states—suffering the same afflictions they had once been miraculously cured of. They were left to face the harsh realities of life, now without the favor of Allah SWT. Not only did they lose their worldly possessions, but they also lost Allah’s SWT pleasure, which meant they were forsaken in both this world and the hereafter.
In stark contrast, the blind man, who had received the same blessings, chose a different path. When tested, he showed immense gratitude and humility, openly acknowledging that it was only through Allah’s SWT mercy that he had been healed and blessed with wealth. His willingness to give, without hesitation or reservation, pleased Allah SWT. As a result, the angel informed him that he had passed the test, and he was allowed to keep all his wealth. More importantly, he secured Allah’s SWT favor and blessings in both this life and the hereafter.
This powerful conclusion serves as a reminder of the importance of gratitude. It illustrates how recognizing and acknowledging Allah’s SWT blessings, coupled with a willingness to share those blessings with others, can lead to lasting divine favor. Conversely, ingratitude and selfishness can strip away all that one has been given, leaving them in a state of loss and divine displeasure.