Baghdad was a great centre of Islamic study where many great teachers would educate the Muslims. People would travel from all over the world to learn at the feet of these great people. Every parent had the desire to send their children there.
One such youngster was Abdul Qadir Jailani whose parents wanted him to study in Baghdad. His mother made him some food for the long journey to Baghdad and sewed some money into his coat so that no-one would find it. Before he left for his studies, she gave him some advice that he must always tell the truth.
As the young boy travelled, he was stopped by some bandits. They wanted to rob him so they searched him looking for money. After they checked everything, one of them asked him, “Do you have any money?” The boy did not want to lie to him so he said, “Yes.”
The bandits then took all his belongings and searched him properly. Again they found nothing and became very angry. They asked him again if he had any money with him and again he replied, “Yes”. The bandits thought that they probably had missed it and thoroughly checked him and his things once again.
They again found nothing so they took him to their leader. After hearing the story from the bandits, their leader asked the little boy, “Do you have money?” The boy again said, “Yes”. The leader of the bandits said, “Where is the money?” The boy showed him the money which had been sewn into his jacket.
The bandit boss asked the boy, “Why didn't you lie to me? You could have got away with it.” The boy replied, “My mum told me that I should always tell the truth so I couldn’t lie to you.” The leader said, “Your mother told you to do one thing and you did it. Allah has commanded me to do so many things and I haven't even completed one of his commands.” The boss changed his life from then.
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