The Proud Man's Garden

by Asma Muhyudeen


Once there was a proud man who owned a huge, beautiful garden. It was very big and the proud man worked hard looking after and growing different things in it. He loved his garden very much, and thought that because he has such a great garden, it made him better than other people.

Many different foods were grown in the garden; date-palms, grain and fruit. The proud man would sell the foods that he produced and would make a lot of money. He became a very rich man.


The proud man also had a next door neighbour. The next-door neighbour also had a garden, but it was not as big and successful as the proud mans'. But he grew foods as well, and was thankful for the blessings that Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) had given him.

He appreciated that everything that we have comes from Allah, and that we shouldnt become so puffed out and arrogant about the gifts that Allah has given us.


One day, the proud man met his next-door neighbour and started boasting about his beautiful garden.

"I have more money than you, and I am so Powerful. I don't think that my garden will ever end."


But his next-door neighbour remembered that has Allah Created us and that everything that we have is because it was given to us as a blessing by Him.

He said, "I know that Allah has provided me with everything that I have, and only Allah provides us with things, no-one else."

He continued, "You should say masha'Allah, that there is no power except from Allah". He knew that Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) was All-Powerful, not the proud man.

"Just as Allah has given you so much, He could easily take it away from you."


And so it happened.

A raging storm came and destroyed the proud man's garden and ruined him. The proud man was twisted in grief and cried out in sorrow.


He realised his mistake and wished that he had not become so proud and boastful about what blessings Allah had given him. He forgot about Allah, and he began to think that he had powers alongside with Allah.

He knew that he was wrong and that All Power is with Allah. Allah can give us things and He can take them away.

We should be grateful for the blessings that Allah has blessed us with, and thank Him for them.


Please do not reproduce without permission and acknowledgement.

Learning points: The purpose of life, Rizq, Shirk, Tawheed.

Based on a parable mentioned in Surah al-Khaf - 18: 32-44



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