Hazrat Abu Hurairah (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) mentioned a man from the Children of Israel who borrowed one thousand dinars from another man in the same community. When the time for repayment approached, the borrower said that he was making arrangements to return the loan and would come by boat. He took Allah as his witness, and the lender agreed.
The borrower set out with the one thousand dinars in a boat before the appointed time. By chance, the boat broke on the way. He saved the money and placed it inside a piece of wood, sealed it securely, and prayed:
“O Allah! You know that I borrowed one thousand dinars from that man. He did not ask me for any witness, but I made you the witness. If you will, deliver this loan on my behalf. If not, you still know that I have done everything in my power.”
Saying this, he threw the wooden piece into the river and himself boarded another boat to return to his city. Meanwhile, the lender, who would go to the riverside hoping to receive his loan, found that same piece of wood and took it home. When he split it open, he found the money inside. He reached his home and began his daily work. When the lender split the piece of wood, he found the money and also a letter inside it. After some time, the borrower finally arrived, bringing with him another one thousand dinars, and said to the lender:
“I tried my best to bring your money to you, but the boat I was traveling in was destroyed. That is why I am late.”
The lender asked:
“Did you send anything else to me?”
The borrower replied:
“Yes, I had sent to you a piece of wood in which I had placed your thousand dinars.”
The lender said:
“Allah the Almighty has already delivered the amount you sent in the wood. Take these additional dinars back with you.”
(Reported in Bukhari, 2291)
Trustworthiness and fulfilling promises were greatly emphasized by Allah Almighty. Even before the birth of the Holy Prophet ﷺ, people recognized that a person from the Children of Israel was famous for testing the honesty of others. He presented his case to the Prophet ﷺ and said that he wanted to test people’s trustworthiness.
Once, this man met an angel. The angel appeared in human form. The man was a leper, suffering from a skin disease, which made people dislike his company. The angel asked him:
“What thing do you like the most?”
He replied:
“A good color and beautiful skin, because people dislike me due to this disease.”
So the angel touched him, and his disease was cured. His skin became beautiful, and his complexion brightened.
Then the angel asked him again:
“What wealth do you like the most?”
He said:
“Camels.”
So the angel gave him a pregnant she-camel and prayed, “May Allah bless it for you.”
Then the angel went to the second man, who had long hair but was bald. The angel asked him:
“What thing do you like the most?”
He replied:
“Good hair, because people hate me due to baldness.”
The angel touched his head, and he was cured. His hair became thick and beautiful.
Then the angel asked:
“What wealth do you like the most?”
He replied:
“Cows.”
So the angel gave him a pregnant cow and prayed, “May Allah bless it for you.” The angel asked him, “Do you have children?” He replied, “No, I have no children.” The angel said, “Ask God what He likes.” The man asked God what things He likes. Then he looked at the people and asked the angel again. The angel replied, “Ask God for whatever you want.” He asked for wealth. God granted him a lot of wealth. After some time, his business grew so much that he became the owner of a whole valley full of goats.
Now, the angel came to him again in the form of a traveller. He said to him, “I have lost my means on the way. I have no one to help me reach my destination except you. I beg you in the name of the One Who gave you so many blessings—please give me one goat so I can continue my journey.”
But he replied, “I have many responsibilities and many expenses. I cannot give it to you.” The angel reminded him, “Weren’t you the one who was poor? God granted you so much out of His grace.” The man denied and said, “No, I inherited this wealth from my ancestors.” Then the angel said, “If you are lying, may God return you to the state you were in before.”
The angel went to the second man, who had been bald before. Now he appeared as a traveller and said, “I am a traveller who has lost his means. I have no helper except you. I request you in the name of the One Who gave you hair and wealth—please give me a camel so I may reach my destination.”
He replied, “I have many responsibilities and many rights to fulfil. I cannot give you anything.” The angel said, “Weren’t you the one who was bald? God granted you beauty and wealth.” He denied and said, “No, this was given to me by my ancestors.” The angel said, “If you are lying, may God return you to the state you were in before.”
Then the angel went to the third man, who had once been blind. He appeared before him as a traveller and said, “I have lost my means on this journey. I ask you in the name of the One Who restored your eyesight—please give me one goat.”
The man replied, “Take as many goats as you want. I swear by God, I will never stop you from taking anything in His name. All this wealth and goats were granted to me by God. You may take whatever you wish.”
The angel said, “Keep your wealth. I was only sent to test you. God is pleased with you and angry with your two companions.”
These stories beautifully remind us that honesty, loyalty, and gratitude form the essence of true faith. A person’s true value lies not in wealth or social standing but in character—through truthful speech, loyalty to promises, and humble recognition of Allah’s favors. Those who remain sincere and thankful receive Allah’s honor, whereas those who grow proud or unfaithful are deprived of His blessings. Ultimately, Allah rewards truth and sincerity, testing every heart to unveil its genuine faith.

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