THE SPECTACLES OF DEATH SERIES -No: 5 -Episode of a Wealthy Man

Episode of a Wealthy Man There was a man who had accumulated huge wealth and there was left nothing that he had not purchased. He constructed a magnificent palace that had the doors, where he posted guards. After the construction of the house, he arranged a feast and invited all his relations and friends. He sat on a cozy and fine bed crossing his legs. When the guests were busy with their meal, he was saying to himself that he had collected all sorts of things and there was no need to buy anything for years to come. 

Hardly had he thought of it, when a beggar dressed in rags and a bowl slung around his neck came outside and began to knock at the door violently. When the servants heard the noise, they ran out to see the foolish intruder. They asked him what the matter was? The beggar said to them to send their master. The servants wondered if their master would like to meet him. He assured them that Master would come out. They came back and narrated the whole story to their master who said that they should have given a lesson to the beggar. 

In the meantime, the beggar again started knocking at the door violently. The guards ran and reached the door. The beggar asked the servants to tell their master that he was the angel of death. On hearing that, they were confounded and conveyed the message to their master. He also lost his senses and said in a humble tone that they should request the ange] of death to substitute another person in his place. Meanwhile, the beggar entered into the house and told the wealthy man to do whatever he liked because he could not return without extracting his soul. 

He heaped all things at’ one place and cursing them said that his indulgence in those riches had prevented him from offering prayers and he could not spare time to remember God with full devotion. The Almighty God gave those riches the power of speech and said: ‘‘Why do you curse us. It was due to us that you could have access to the kings at a time when the pious were driven out. It was because of us that you derived sexual pleasures from the beautiful women and led your life like a king.”

O rich man ! you employed us in the cause of evil, and we stood not in your way.. Had you spent us in the cause of good we would have helped you in that noble cause also.

READ ALSO:

[THE STORY OF KING HARUN AL RASHID SON’S]

[THE HOLY PROPHET DEATH]

[THE LIFE OF THE KING]

[THE LIFE OF A WEALTHY MAN]

[THE LIFE OF A CRUELTY MAN]

[THE STATEMENT OF HASSA BASRI ON DEATH]

[THE CRUEL ISRAELITE]