Before entering Medina, the Bedouin Arab began asking the townspeople: “Who is the most generous person in this city, and where is his house?”
Everyone directed him to Imam Hussain (peace be upon him).
The Bedouin found Imam Hussain (peace be upon him) in the mosque, engaged in prayer. Standing before him, he recited these verses:
“The one who hopes for your generosity, And the one who knocks on your door, Will never return disappointed.
You are trustworthy and bountiful, And your father eradicated the wicked. If not for your noble ancestors, Surely we would be suffering in the fire of Hell.” [1]
When the Bedouin finished his poem, Imam Hussain (peace be upon him) greeted him warmly and then asked Qanbar, his servant, “Do we have anything left from the wealth of Hijaz?”
Qanbar replied, “Yes, there are four thousand dinars remaining.”
The Imam instructed, “Bring them here; someone has come who is more deserving of it than we are.”
The Imam then removed his cloak, wrapped the dinars in it, and, out of humility, extended his hand through the crack in the door without exposing his face to the man. While handing over the coins, he recited:
“Take this, and I apologize for its small amount, For know that I am deeply concerned for you. If our rightful wealth were given to us, A rain of generosity would shower upon you. But alas, the trials of time have altered circumstances, And all I have now is this meager offering.” [2]
The narrator reports that the Bedouin took the money, but shortly after, his sobs filled the air.
Imam Hussain (peace be upon him) asked, “Do you find my gift insufficient?”
The Bedouin replied, “How could I find your gift small? I am in awe that these generous hands of yours will one day lie beneath the soil.” [3]
(Excerpt from the book “Manaqib Aal Abi Talib,” authored by the late scholar Muhammad ibn Shahr Ashub)
Footnotes:
[1] “The one who hopes for your generosity… If not for your noble ancestors, Surely we would be suffering in the fire of Hell”
[2] “Take this, and I apologize for its small amount… And all I have now is this meager offering”
[3] Manaqib Aal Abi Talib, Volume 4, Page 65.