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He had just spent time at the masjid seeking solitude and reflection.

After reading Quran and making dua, he left feeling at peace.

But as soon as he stepped outside, his serenity was interrupted.

A poor man was waiting for him.

He felt a flash of irritation. This guy is literally standing here, just waiting to hassle me.

The man approached him, asking for money.

Annoyed but not wanting to turn him away completely, he said, “I won’t give you money, but I’ll buy you food.”

But it was Christmas.

Every restaurant was closed—except for one. And that one?

Way too expensive.

Still, he checked his wallet. A single £20 note stared back at him.

He hesitated. That’s too much … But with no smaller bills, he pulled it out and handed it over.

"Go inside," he told the man, "buy something but I want change."

An Unexpected Turn

Minutes passed.

Then more.

The man never returned.

His frustration grew. Now he’s wasting my time too?

Unable to contain himself, he stormed into the restaurant, fully prepared to demand his change.

But what he saw stopped him cold.

The man was sitting at a table, surrounded by a feast.

Plates of food were spread before him, and he ate as if he hadn't had a proper meal in days.

Anger flared again—not just at the delay, but at the audacity.

I gave him money for something small, and he spent it all?

He marched over, his frustration spilling out. “I told you to meet me outside with my change! What are you doing?”

The man put down his food and raised his hands apologetically. “I’m so sorry, brother. I was so hungry, I completely forgot about the money.”

Then, he reached into his pocket and handed him the £20.

“The owner saw I was poor,” he explained. “He told me, ‘Eat whatever you want. It’s on me.’

So, I took the food for free. And here is your money back.”

The Real Lesson

Relief washed over him.

SubhanAllah! 

He had given away £20, but Allah had returned it immediately.

Feeling proud, he hurried home to share the story with his wife.

He recounted the entire incident, his voice brimming with excitement. “See? Just like the Prophet ﷺ said—sadaqah doesn’t decrease wealth! I gave, and I got it back straight away!”

His wife listened carefully, then said, “That’s not what happened.”

Confused, he blinked. “What do you mean?”

She shook her head.

“Allah gave you an opportunity to give sincerely. But you hesitated. You frowned at it. You even got upset.

So, Allah took that honor away from you and gave it to someone else—the restaurant owner.

"As for your £20? Allah didn’t return it as a blessing. He just threw it back at you.”

Silence.

The weight of her words sank in.

What he had seen as a blessing was, in fact, a warning.

He had been given a chance to give for the sake of Allah without expectation, but his reluctance had cost him the reward.

It wasn’t about the money. It was about the heart behind the giving.

The True Test of Sadaqah

Giving is easy when it’s convenient, but real generosity is tested when it feels uncomfortable.

Yes, there may be hesitation. Yes, we may feel the pull of our own needs, doubts, or frustrations.

But the goal is to free our hearts—to give regardless of the circumstances, knowing that every opportunity to give is a chance to purify our souls.

We don’t give because it’s easy.

We don’t give because we expect something in return.

We give because Allah is the ultimate provider.

The next time an opportunity for charity arises, let’s not hold back. Let’s give—not just for the reward, but for the love of the One who gives us everything.