28/10/2025
*Whatever goes around, comes around!*
A shopkeeper, _Amir_, had just opened his store in the bustling souq when a woman, _Amina_, arrived. “Assalamu alaikum, brother, here are your 10 Dirhams,” she said.
Amir looked at her with questioning eyes. “Walaikum salam, sister. When did I give you 10 Dirhams?”
Amina replied, “Yesterday evening, I bought groceries. I paid 100 Dirhams, bought items worth 70, and you returned 40 instead of 30.”
Amir touched the 10 Dirhams to his forehead (as a sign of gratitude to Allah), placed it in the cash box, and asked, “Tell me, sister… you bargained fiercely for every Dhiram. Why return this small amount?”
Amina lowered her gaze and smiled softly. “Bargaining is my right. But taking what isn’t mine is a sin. _‘The best of you are those who are best in repaying rights,’_ said the Prophet (ﷺ).”
Amir said, “You paid in full. If you’d kept it, I wouldn’t have missed it.”
Amina replied, “It may not hurt you, but it weighs on my conscience. I’d know I cheated. That’s why I came, though your shop was closed last night.”
Amir asked in awe, “You travelled 7 kilometres *twice* for 10 Dirhams?”
Amina said calmly, “Yes. Peace of mind is worth it. My late husband taught me: *‘Never take a single cent that isn’t yours. Allah will surely take you to task for it.*’ (Quran 2:281: _‘And fear a Day when you will be returned to Allah…’_)”
She left. Amir immediately took *300 Dirhams* from the cash box, got on his scooter, and told his assistant, “Manage the shop. I’ll return.”
He visited another merchant, _Khalid_. “Khalid, here’s your 300 Dirhams. I overcharged you yesterday.”
Khalid laughed. “Why rush? You could’ve returned it later.”
Amir replied, “What if I die before you ask? You didn’t know. I had to act.
*_‘Whoever wrongs another must settle it in this life, before the scales are set,’_ (Hadith). Every good deed ripples outward—like Amina’s honesty inspired mine.*”
Khalid was shaken. Ten years ago, he’d borrowed *30,000 Dirhams* from a friend who died the next day. The family didn’t know, and Khalid kept it. The widow now struggles to raise her children.
Amir’s words haunted him: _“Allah will *surely take you to task*. Don’t let a mistake chain your future.”_
Days later, Khalid withdrew *30,000 Dirhams*, went to the widow’s home, and fell at her feet. _“Forgive me, sister. This is your right.”_
Tears filled her eyes. It was *Amina*, the woman who’d returned 10 Dirhams.
*A single act of integrity sparks a chain of mercy. Trust in Allah’s justice:*
*_“Good deeds erase bad deeds”_ (Quran 11:114).* 🌙
_*Indeed, whatever goes around, comes around!
