An American investment banker was at
the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman
docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellow fin tuna. The American
banker complimented the Mexican fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it
took to catch them.
The Mexican replied, "Only a
little while." The American then asked why didn't he stay out longer and catch
more fish? The Mexican said he had enough to support his family's immediate
needs. The American then asked, "But what do you do with the rest of your
time?"
The Mexican fisherman said, "I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take a siesta
with my wife, stroll into the village each evening where I eat and drink and meet with my
friends. I have a full and busy life."
The American scoffed, "I am a
Harvard MBA and I could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the
proceeds, buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from the bigger boat, you could buy
several boats, eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your
catch to a middleman, you would sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your
own cannery. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You would
need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA and
eventually New York City where you will run your expanding enterprise."
The Mexican fisherman asked,
"But, how long will this all take?" To which the American replied,
"15-20 years." "But what then?" The American laughed and said
that's the best part. "When the time is right, you would announce an IPO and
sell your company stock to the public and become very rich. You would make
millions." "Millions...Then what?" The American said, "Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where
you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take a siesta with your wife,
stroll to the village in the evenings where you could eat and drink and meet with your
friends."
(Quran 57:20) "Know ye (all)
that the life of this world is but play and amusement pomp and mutual boasting and
multiplying (in rivalry) among yourselves riches and children: Here is a similitude: How
rain and the growth which it brings forth delight (the hearts of) the tillers; soon it
withers; thou wilt see it grow yellow; then it becomes dry and crumbles away. But in
the Hereafter is a Penalty severe (for the devotees of wrong) and Forgiveness from Allah
and (His) Good Pleasure (for the devotees of Allah). And what is the life of
this world but goods and chattels of deception?"
Narrated by Abu Musa: Some people asked Allah's Messenger(PBUH), "Who's Islam is the
best?(ie who is a very good Muslim?)" He replied: ONE WHO AVOIDS HARMING THE MUSLIMS
WITH HIS TONGUE AND HANDS.
