Doing Good to the Enemy

There was a man in Medina who had serious animosity and hatred towards Imam Kadhim (PBUH), also known as Imam Musa ibn Ja`far (PBUH). The government and some of its affiliates would often support and encourage him to express his hatred toward the Prophet`s progeny and Ali`s grandchildren (PBUT).
This man would show his hatred especially toward Imam Musa Ibn Ja`far, who was the most respected member of the Prophet`s family at that time.
The insults of this man were to the extent that it made the companions of Imam Kadhim (PBUH) ask if they had permission to kill him. His insults had angered and they desired to to free the Imam from his cruel acts. The Imam however, would strongly reproach the request of his companions and would say, "I will deal with the problem myself when there is an opportunity.

One day Imam Kadhim (PBUH) mounted his horse and asked about that man. Some said that he was working in his farm which was located in the suburbs of Medina. Imam Kadhim (PBUH) proceeded without his companions and rode his horse through the man’s wheat farm. The man, who had recognized the Imam, yelled, "What are you doing? Where do you think you’re going?" Without responding to the man’s complaints, the Imam continued his path until he came up to the man.

The Imam came down from his horse and greeted the man. He said, "Now tell me how much damage I have caused to your farm that has angered you so much?"

The man angrily replied, "One hundred golden coins." Imam Kadhim said, "How much benefit do you expect from your farm this year?" The man said, "How should I know? I don`t have knowledge of the unseen." The Imam said, "I did not ask for knowledge of the unseen". The man thought for a moment and said, "Two hundred gold coins."

At this moment, the Imam (PBUH) took out a pouch that contained three hundred gold coins and handed it to the man. He said, "This is the benefit you expected to get from your farm and yet your farm remains intact. I hope Allah gives you what you expected from this farm."

The man was extremely surprised by Imam`s kindness and humbly apologized for all he had done to him. In the evening of the same day, Imam Kadhim`s (PBUH) companions saw that man in the Prophet`s Mosque. He was saying about the Imam, “Allah knows best with whom to place His leadership.” (1)

Authors of Imam Reza Network

ref: www.shiastudies.net