Chapter 4: Want Not for More

Want Not for More.

 

“Almighty! Please grant us a contented heart”

 

It is common knowledge that man has desire. But it’s bad that when desire transforms into greed and selfishness.

The Tamil proverb states .“Greed results in Loss. A contented heart is a blessed heart.” Whoever is contented with what he gains he is truly rich.

 

Once upon a time a great saint lived in a hermitage in a forest near a town. He was a god -conscious man who lived in seclusion. He was loved by the people, who gifted him whatever he wanted. However, he wasn’t interested in material things or a marital life worldly pleasures. There was an increase in his followers who loved him dearly.

 

In the forest, there were a lot of rats creating nuisance. The saint was not able to tolerate this nuisance any longer. The saint said, “I am not able to preach or meditate.…. Please get me a cat to get rid of the rats”.

Immediately, the people got him a cat.  After the cat was brought, the nuisance from the rats decreased.

 

Then the saint asked the people “What about the milk for the cat?” His followers got him a cow. The saint  milked the cow and fed it to the cat. He found it difficult to take care of the cow. The saint said to the people “It is becoming difficult for me to take care of the cow. If I have a maid to take care of the cow it will be easier.” The people got her a maid. The maid stayed in the forest. After a while, the maid became the wife of the saint. 

A child was born to the saint. At this point, the saint renounced his sainthood and became a family man and spoilt his standing as a man of celibacy. His desires grew and led him into the pit of ordinariness. He behaved like any other ordinary man. He lost his respect.

 

During the times of the prophet (sallallahu alaihiwasallam), there was a man called Salaba.

He lived in poverty. Inspite of his poverty, he was prompt in prayers.

Once Salaba asked the prophet “Oh Prophet, I am in poverty. Please pray to the Almighty for me”. The prophet (sallallahu alaihiwasallam) replied, “This poverty is best for you”.

On another occasion, Salaba met the prophet (sallallahu alaihiwasallam) and said“ I don’t have any clothes other than what I am wearing. So please pray to the Almighty for me”.

Even then, the prophet (sallallahu alaihiwasallam) replied, “This poverty is best for you”. Again, on another day, the man repeated the same to the prophet (sallallahu alaihiwasallam). Immediately, the prophet (sallallahu alaihiwasallam) gave a goat to the man.

 

Soon the goat reproduced. The number of goats increased in tens and hundreds. After some time, Salaba bought a camel. The camels reproduced and increased in tens and hundreds.

 

When money increased, Salaba’s attention was focused on making more money. His time allotted for prayers reduced. The man who used to attend five daily prayers now came only for three prayers. At last, he came only for one prayer and finally, he didn’t come for prayer at all. He didn’t even attend the Jumu’a congregational prayer.

 

In the beginning, Salaba paid zakah to the poor but later he stopped paying zakah as well.

When this was brought to the attention of the prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) by the companions, the prophet replied, “Do not collect zakah from him”.

 

Sometime after this incident, some of Salaba’s camels died.  Some of his goats became diseased and died. When this happened, the trader became afraid and came forward to pay zakah. But the companions of the prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) in deference to the command of the prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) refused to collect zakah from him. Ultimately, the merchant died in misery and poverty.

 

Understanding that being greedy and having desires beyond limits are rungs of ladder to achieve growth in business.