Old Man and
Children
Source: Shaheed Murtada Mutahhari, The Narrative of Veracious, Vol.2,
STORY NO.103, p.75-76
An old man was busy doing his
Wudu’ statutory ablution, but he was not performing it in a correct
manner. The children, Imam Hasan (‘a) and Imam Husayn (‘a) were watching
the old man doing his Wudu’ statutory ablution. There was no reason to
hesitate, for it is incumbent to teach the religious questions and guide
the ignorant: It was necessary to make the old man familiar with the
correct Wudu’ statutory ablution. Nevertheless, if he was directly said
to correct his Wudu’, perhaps it would make him annoyed and he might
have a bitter memory of Wudu’ for ever. In addition to that, who knows,
perhaps he feels humiliated by this notification, becomes obstinate and
never yields to the act of worship.
The two children, having meditated upon the way to call indirectly the
old man’s attention to correct his mistake, began to debate in such a
manner that the old man could hear them.
One said: “My Wudu’ is more perfect than yours.
The other one replied: “My Wudu’ is better than yours.
The boys came to an agreement to perform their ‘Wudu’ in the presence of
the old man so that he would arbitrate between them.
As agreed, they performed their Wudu’ perfectly and correctly under his
supervision. The old man realized how the correct Wudu’ must be
performed. He came to know intuitively the intention of the two boys and
was firmly affected by their genuine kindness, intelligence and
sagacity.
He said: “The Wudu’ statutory ablution done by you both is correct and
complete. I am the ignorant old. Who do not know to perform correct Wudu’.
I am grateful that you made me admonished for the solicitude that you
show to the community of your grandfather.”1
NOTES
1. Bihãr uI-Anwar, v. 10, p.
89. |