Once the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was in his place, his companions gathered around him to hear the words of knowledge and guidance. It was a usual meeting. Suddenly a poor man in rags appeared and saluted the assembly:
“Salamun Alaikum” (Pbuh)
And then he found g a vacant place comfortably and sat down.
The Prophet (PBUH) had taught them that all Muslims were brothers, and in this assembly, one should sit wherever he finds a place, regardless of any status or creed. Now, it so happened that this poor man was seated with a wealthy man.
Behavior Of Rich Man And Poor Man:
The rich man felt very worried and tried to collect the edges of his dress around himself so the poor man did not touch his dress. The Prophet (PBUH) observed all this and addressed the rich man. He (PBUH) said:
“ Perhaps you are afraid that his poverty would affect you?”
” No, O Messenger of Allah,” he replied.
“Then perhaps you were apprehensive about some of your wealth flying away to him?”
” No, O Messenger of Allah.” He replied
Prophet (Pbuh) again said:
“Or you feared that your clothes would become dirty if he touched them?”
” No, O Messenger of Allah.” The rich man answered
” Then why did you draw yourself and your clothes away from him?”
The rich man said:
“I admit that was the most unwanted thing to do. It was a mistake, and I admit my guilt. Now to make amends for it, I will give away half of my wealth to this Muslim brother so that I may be forgiven.”
Just as he said all this, the poor man rose and said,
” O Prophet of Allah, I do not accept his offer.”
all the people present there were shocked, they thought that the poor man was a fool, but then he explained that:
” O Prophet of Allah, I refuse to accept his offer because I fear that I might become arrogant and ill-treat my Muslim brothers the way he did to me.”
How to behave with poor people?
When interacting with people experiencing poverty, treating them with dignity and respect is essential. Remember that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their circumstances. Here are a few tips to help you do this:
-
Listen to them
Allow them to share their experiences and perspectives without interrupting or judging.
-
Avoid stereotypes
People experiencing poverty come from diverse backgrounds and have unique stories. Avoid making assumptions based on stereotypes.
-
Be patient
Poverty can lead to stress and frustration. Try to be patient and understanding.
-
Offer help
If you can offer help, do so in a respectful and non-patronizing manner.
-
Speak up against poverty.
Advocate for policies and programs that address poverty’s root causes and help reduce its impact.
