The Inner

The Inner

By Kateb Nuri-Alim Shunnar

In the country of Gedrosia, there once was a wealthy couple who, out of their superciliousness, named their son Ambrose. As Ambrose grew older, his family became even wealthier, for they owned most of the livestock, crops, and wells in the land. However, as time passed, Ambrose’s mother and father died, and he inherited all of their wealth. Yet to Ambrose, this inheritance felt like poverty. He believed his parents had left him poor, so he set out to acquire even more wealth.

Ambrose began traveling to poor cities, offering them loans. If they couldn’t repay him, he would claim the entire city as payment. If the city refused to surrender, he would prevent all trade from entering or leaving its borders. He bought schools, boats, garments, food, medicine, homes anything people needed to live. Then he charged them to use his boats, attend his schools, rent his homes, buy his food, and wear his garments. Ambrose gave no one the opportunity to own anything without his involvement. Because of this, the people nicknamed him Avaritia.

One day, Ambrose was sitting with his family, enjoying khoresht-e-fesenjan and dolmeh barg, laughing and joking. Suddenly, one of his servants burst into the room, clearly in haste.

“I bring news from town that you will not be pleased with,” said the servant.

Ambrose frowned. “And what news is so important that you interrupt my meal?”

The servant replied, “There is a man who has moved into town wealthier than you.”

Ambrose immediately dropped his dolmeh barg and demanded, “Where did you hear this?”

“I was in your marketplace, checking on the merchants who rent from you, and I overheard them speaking of a man named Jamal.”

“WHAT ABOUT THIS JAMAL?” Ambrose shouted.

“They call him Ghaniyu Rouhi, and they say his wealth surpasses yours by far. They even say that it is you who are truly poor.”

Ambrose stood up with urgency. “Take me to this Jamal now. Perhaps I can convince him to be my partner or maybe he may have an accident, and I will inherit all his wealth.”

Ambrose and his servant left at once and went searching for Jamal, expecting to find a grand palace with guards and servants. But no such place could be found. Frustrated, Ambrose approached an old man lying on the ground.

“Excuse me, old man,” he said. “Do you know of a man named Jamal?”

The old man nodded. “Yes, I know of him.”

Ambrose grinned. “Old man, I’ll give you a sack of silver if you tell me where I can find him.”

The old man smiled and replied, “I am in no need of your money.”

“Fine then, but please, where is Jamal? I must meet him,” said Ambrose.

“Well,” the old man said, “I am Jamal. How can I help you?”

Ambrose scoffed. “Old man, there is no time for jokes. I am looking for the wealthy man who recently came to town. You, dear old man, are poor your garments are ragged, and you were just lying on the ground. I know you cannot be the wealthy man I seek. You are a beggar.”

Jamal frowned at Ambrose and replied, “There are two types of wealth physical and spiritual. Physical wealth is very attractive to the nature of man. Thus, man is inclined to chase it. But my Lord says, ‘Fair in the eyes of men is the love of things they covet: women and sons; heaped-up hoards of gold and silver; horses branded (for blood and excellence); and (wealth of) cattle and well-tilled land. Such are the possessions of this world’s life; but in nearness to God is the best of the goals.’

“So, Ambrose, many people end up serving their wealth. They become greedy and miserly, mistakenly believing that true prosperity lies in money. Without a doubt, wealth is a great blessing from God, which He bestows upon His servants. The one who earns it honestly, spends it properly, and gives it to those who deserve it earns great reward from God. But wealth is not the greatest blessing a person can receive.

“O Ambrose, money and children can bring comfort and pleasure in this life, but righteous deeds are what will remain permanently. When we die, all our physical wealth stays behind for someone else to inherit. It is our righteous deeds that bring us closer to God and earn us everlasting reward in the Hereafter. For my Lord says, ‘And it is not your wealth, nor your children that bring you nearer to Us, but only he who believes and does righteous deeds. For such people, there will be a double reward for what they did, and they will reside in high dwellings (of Paradise), in peace and security.’”

Ambrose began to weep deep, soul-crushing sobs that lasted for several minutes. Eventually, he composed himself and said, “Jamal, truly, you do have a ghaniyu rouhi a rich soul. Truly, you are the wealthiest man I have ever met. I want you to introduce me to God, for today, I choose not to befriend Satan anymore.

“Jamal, today I am grateful that God sent you to this town. You have given a bag of silver to a poor man me. I will strive to live by what your Lord has taught you. I ask you, Jamal, please move into my home and teach me where your knowledge comes from.”

Jamal smiled gently and walked away.