In the heart of Saudi Arabia, there lived a successful businessman known for his kindness and generosity. One night, he had a peculiar dream in which a mysterious figure urged him to sponsor an Umrah pilgrimage for a fruit vendor who sold his produce near the main gate of the businessman’s company.
Upon waking up, the businessman couldn’t shake off the vivid dream from his mind. He considered it a mere illusion and tried to ignore it. However, the dream persisted for three consecutive nights, each time more compelling than before.
Intrigued by the recurring dream, the businessman decided to seek guidance from the Imam of the local mosque. He narrated the dream to the Imam, who advised him to reach out to the fruit vendor and fulfill the divine task as shown in his dream.
The next day, the businessman managed to obtain the vendor’s contact information through one of his employees. With a mix of hesitation and curiosity, he dialed the vendor’s number and revealed the purpose behind his call. Surprisingly, the vendor burst into laughter and responded, “Friend, you must be mistaken. I’m not a righteous person. I rarely pray and occasionally indulge in drinking.”
Undeterred, the businessman persisted and explained that he had been guided by his dream, and he earnestly desired to sponsor the vendor’s Umrah pilgrimage. After some persuasion and assurance, the vendor finally agreed, albeit with astonishment at the businessman’s persistence.
As per their agreement, the businessman made all the necessary arrangements for the Umrah journey. The day arrived when they set out for Makkah. As they entered the sacred land, the vendor performed the rituals of Umrah with reverence. During the Tawaf around the Kaaba, he was deeply moved and felt an inexplicable connection with the divine. After completing the pilgrimage, the vendor and the businessman prepared to return home. But before leaving, the businessman felt a pang of curiosity and asked the vendor, “I am intrigued to know what virtue or good deed you performed that resulted in such a profound and divine experience during your Umrah.”
The vendor replied humbly, “To be honest, I am just an ordinary person. I cannot boast of any significant virtues. However, there is one thing I do consistently. I have a neighbor, a widow with young children, who struggles to make ends meet. Whenever I go to the market to buy fruits for my own children, I always buy some extra for her and her kids. I leave the food at her doorstep and call her out, ‘Sister, I have brought food. Please take it.’ And then I look towards the sky and say, ‘O Allah, the Lord of Majesty, today, once again, I have fed the hungry children of this widow. Please accept this small act of kindness from me.'”
Humbled by the vendor’s words, the businessman realized that true virtue lies not only in prayers and rituals but also in simple acts of compassion and selflessness. He understood that his dream was a divine message to recognize the beauty in every person’s actions, no matter how small or insignificant they may seem.
From that day forward, the businessman vowed to be more empathetic and considerate towards those in need. He cherished the memory of the Umrah journey, which taught him the value of benevolence and how even the tiniest of good deeds can have profound spiritual impact, transcending all boundaries of status and wealth.