We always want what is "best for our children." But how many of us think of centuries and generations into the future?
Two historical stories illustrate what happens when parents value integrity over status.
Story 1: The Milk Seller
While patrolling Madinah at night, Caliph Umar ibn Al-Khattab overheard a conversation of a mother telling her daughter to dilute their milk with water to increase profits.
The daughter reminded her, “Caliph ʿUmar prohibited such practices.”
The mother said, “ʿbut Umar cannot see you.”
The daughter replied: “But the Lord of ʿUmar can.”
Story 2: The Orchard Keeper
In 736 CE, a wealthy orchard owner asked his servant, Mubarak, to fetch a sweet pomegranate from the orchard. Three times Mubarak brought a fruit; three times it was sour.
Furious, the master asked, “Do you not know the difference between sweet and sour?”
Mubãrak said, “No I don't"
The master said, “How!?”
Mubarak said, “Because I have never eaten pomegranates for me to know the difference.”
The master asked, “But why have you never eaten it?”
Mubãrak said, “Because you have never given me permission to eat it.”
Despite years of service, he had never tasted a single fruit without permission.
The Visionary Response
How would we respond to such honesty? We might offer a promotion or a bonus.
But these visionary men saw something deeper. They saw the "DNA" of a future generation.
Umar ibn Al-Khattab immediately sought the girl's hand for his son, Asim. Their lineage eventually produced Umar bin Abdul Aziz, the legendary leader regarded as the "fifth Righteous Caliph."
The Orchard Owner married his daughter to Mubarak. Their son was Abdullah ibn Al-Mubarak, the "polymath of the soul" and one of history's greatest scholars and philanthropists.
The Lesson for Today
Skills, money, and authority can be built or seized. But integrity is a rare quality that must be nurtured.
When these fathers saw such character, they didn't just see a good worker or a law-abiding citizen—they saw the person they wanted to raise their grandchildren.
As parents, we must ask ourselves:
When we look at suitors for our children, do we look past the salary and social status?
Do we ask, "What kind of parent will this person be?"
Do we realize that our decisions today carry Barakah (blessings) that our great-grandchildren will taste?
People may not remember the names of the parents who made these choices, but history never forgets the fruit of their wisdom.
What qualities are you prioritizing for your family's future?
No comments:
Post a Comment