She is no longer young. Her grey hair is shown from her tattered veil. Her old clothing covers her weak body. Her face reflects her experience with so many difficulties. But yet she is cheerful and her step is upbeat. As the old woman walks into the alley where small houses lay crammed together, she shoulders large plastic bags and tirelessly offers her goods. The big plastic bags even hide her body, but she paces forward.
Her heavy goods could not be compared with hundreds of kilometers in which her old sandal passed. She only offers crackers and snack foods that I am even reluctant to buy. But when I see how she struggles to offer her unsold goods since early morning, make me pensive. O Allah……. is this your way to rebuke me as Your servant? To set aside a little money by buying all of her merchandise, yet to buy her merchandises will not reduce my spending that is not worth compare to her struggle?
My children also stunned, why the old woman is still outside during this scorching afternoon, walking with large packages on her two shoulders! After I gave explanations to them, finally they understand. The old woman is not easy to get even only a mouthful of rice and side dishes… that my children sometimes waste the food they do not like…. Indeed, for those who like to waste is a friend of syaiton (evil). Innal mubazziriina kaanuu ikhwanasyayathin…..
فَبِأَيِّ ءَالَاءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ
Which of the Favors of your Lord would you deny?
And we are the losers, always complain about lack of foods, do not want to eat this…..prefer to eat that…although we are able to eat three times a day!
Thanks to Allah SWT continually, and Allah SWT would not hesitate to add His favor.
And [remember] when you Lord proclaimed. “If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but of you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.” (QS. Ibrahim : 7).
