A Story



A man woke up early in order to pray the Fajr prayer in the masjid (mosque). He got dressed, made his ablution, and was on his way to the masjid.



On his way to the masjid, the man fell and his clothes got dirty. He got up, brushed himself off, and headed home. At home, he changed his clothes, made his ablution, and was, again, on his way to the masjid.



On his way to the masjid, he fell again and at the same spot! He, again, got up, brushed himself off, and headed home. At home he, once again, changed his clothes, made his ablution, and was on his way to the masjid.



On his way to the masjid, he met a man holding a lamp.

He asked the man of his identity and the man replied, "I saw you fall twice on your way to the masjid, so I brought a lamp so I can light your way." The first man thanked him profusively and the two where on their way to the masjid.



Once at the masjid, the first man asked the man with the lamp to come in and pray Fajr with him. The second man refused. The first man asked him a couple more times and, again, the answer was the same. The first man asked him why he did not wish to come in and pray.

The man replied, "I am Satan."



The man was shocked at this reply. Satan went on to explain, "I saw you on your way to the masjid and it was I who made you fall.



When you went home, cleaned yourself, and went back on your way to the masjid, Allah forgave all of your sins. I made you fall a second time, and even that did not encourage you to stay home, but rather, you went back on your way to the masjid.



Because of that, Allah forgave all the sins of the people of your household. I was afraid if I made you fall one more time, then Allah will forgive the sins of the people of your village, so I made sure that you reached the masjid safely."



So do not let Satan benefit from his actions. Do not put off a good that you intended to do, as you never know how much reward you might receive from the hardships you encounter while trying to achieve that good.