The Patient Old Man
When passing through a mountain pass, a bedouin (villager) once
came across an old man who was blind and who seemed to be
afflicted with various ailments all over his body. It was clear that
he was wasting away. He was even paralyzed and was constantly
forced to remain in a seated position. The Bedouin could clearly
hear him say, "All praise is for Allah, Who has kept me safe from
ailments with which He has tested many among His creation; and
He has indeed preferred me over many among those that He
created."
"My brother!" exclaimed the bedouin. "What have you been
saved from? By Allah, I think that you have been afflicted with
every single kind of ailment!"
"Go away from me," said the old man, as he raised his head. "Do
I not still have a tongue with which I can pronounce His Oneness,
and with which I can remember Him every single moment? And
do I not still have a heart with which I can know Him?"
These words of the old man were enough for the bedouin to
repent to Allah for his sins and ask Him for forgiveness.
Remember, there is always someone else who is in more problem
than you.