A Happy Formula

Hadhrat Luqmaan Alayhis salam – who was unanimously Hakeem (wise) and a Nabi according to somewas employed as a labourer in an orchard. One day, the owner of the orchard came and asked him to bring some cucumbers. He peeled one and gave it Hadhrat Luqmaan who started eating it with relish. The owner, witnessing Hadhrat Luqmaan eating the cucumber with such relish thought that it must be rather delicious. He placed a slice of it into his mouth and on finding it was extremely bitter, spat it out and frowned.

“This cucumber is rather bitter,” he addressed Hadhrat Luqmaan, “but you were eating it as thought it was very delicious.”

Hadhrat Luqmaan said, “Yes, of course! It is bitter.”

“Why didnt you say so?” asked the master.

He replied, “What can I say? I thought to myself that the hand from which I ate sweet things thousands of times, if the same hand gives me something bitter just once, how can I show it on my face?”

This is such a principle that if both spouses remember it, there will never be an opportunity for contention and dispute.

The wife should remember that the husband has put up with all her frivolities thousands of times, what is there if he is hard with me just this once? The husband on the othe hand should also ponder over the thousands of times his wife had served him diligently.

(At-Tableegh vol 7 page 128)