It is told in ancient times that two young men went out for trade. One was good-hearted and honest named Alaa, and the other was cunning and deceitful named Zahir. While they were on the way, Alaa went to attend to some matters and found a bag of money, so he took it and returned to Zahir to tell him what he found. They decided to divide this bag after their return.
But Zahir was cunning and wanted to take the entire bag for himself. When they approached the city, Alaa said to Zahir: Take half the money and give me the other half. Zahir answered deceitfully: Rather, let’s take some of it and bury the rest in a safe place known only to us. If we need the money, we’ll go to the place and take what we need from it. Alaa agreed because he was good.
Indeed, they took part of the money and buried the rest under a large tree. After that, Zahir went to the tree secretly, took the money, and smoothed the ground as it was. Months passed… Then Alaa needed money. He told Zahir of his need. They went to the place so Alaa could take what he needed from the money, but he was surprised to find no money.
Alaa said: You deceived me and preceded me, taking the money.
Zahir answered him: Rather, you preceded me. They went to the judge to judge between them. Alaa told the story. As for Zahir, he denied it and swore a false oath.
The judge said to him: Do you have evidence for your words? Zahir answered deceitfully: Yes… The tree under which we buried the money testifies that Alaa is the one who stole the money.
They went to the tree… Zahir had asked his father to hide at the tree and make the judge think the tree was speaking.
The judge asked the tree: Is Alaa really the one who took the money?
Zahir’s father answered: Yes.
But the judge was intelligent and was suspicious of the speaking tree. He ordered gathering firewood to burn the tree. When Zahir’s father heard this talk, he started screaming and crying.
The judge asked him about the story, and he told him the truth.
The judge ordered the money returned completely to Alaa and flogged both Zahir and his father.
Therefore, the greedy person loses everything and brings only regret. As for the good Muslim, his right is not lost, but he is victorious over those who wrong him, and his right is returned to him.