The Second Story
It is related that there once was a king of colossal wealth who had amassed a vast fortune of every kind of worldly possession Allah created. He did so merely to indulge himself and devote his time to consuming what he had hoarded. He gathered enormous riches and built an exalted, towering palace—lofty and magnificent, fit for kings, princes, grandees, and dignitaries. He installed two sturdy gates, posted stalwart youths, guards and soldiers, and stationed doorkeepers exactly as he wished.
On certain days he ordered that the choicest dishes be prepared for him; he summoned the people of his realm, together with his household, companions, and servants, so that they might dine with him and partake of his generosity. He seated himself upon the throne of his kingdom, reclined on his cushion, and declared, “O my soul, I have gathered every blessing this world holds. Now put your mind at ease and enjoy these favors—may you live long and prosper greatly.”
He had scarcely finished speaking to himself when a man arrived at the outer gate. The stranger wore ragged, threadbare clothes, a bag hanging from his neck, and appeared to be a beggar asking for food. He struck the gate with such a mighty, terrifying blow that the entire palace quaked. The young attendants panicked, rushed to the door, and shouted at the knocker: “You weakling, why such impatience and bad manners? Wait until we have eaten and we will feed you what is left over!”
The man replied, “Tell your master to come out to me; I have urgent business with him, a pressing matter.” They said, “Stand aside, pauper! Who are you to summon our master?” He answered, “Just deliver my message to him.”
When they reported the first knock, they rose with clubs and weapons and set out to attack him. But he cried, “Stay where you are—I am the Angel of Death!” Their joints trembled, their limbs went numb, terror filled their hearts, and their minds were thrown into confusion.
The king said, “Tell him to take someone else in my stead—a substitute for me!” The angel answered, “I will take no one but you. I have come solely to separate you from these favors with which you were entrusted.”
The king exclaimed, “May Allah curse this wealth that deceived and harmed me, that kept me from worshipping my Lord! I imagined it would benefit me, yet today it is my anguish and my affliction. I leave it empty-handed, and it remains for my enemies.”
Allah then caused the wealth itself to speak, and it said, “Why do you curse me? Curse yourself! Allah created both me and you from dust, and He placed me in your hand so that you might provision yourself through me for the Hereafter…"