In a state, an old man was caught stealing bread. Some people of the area caught him and took him to the Qazi (judge) of the time. The Qazi asked many questions to the old man, but the old man gave no answer. Finally, the Qazi announced the verdict like this: "The old man will pay one Dirham to the owner of the tandoor (bakery) as a fine for the crime of stealing bread." Hearing this, the people started shouting victorious slogans. The Qazi said, "Wait, the second part of the verdict is still remaining." Everyone thought that now perhaps the old man would also be sentenced to prison. But the Qazi's decision astonished everyone. The Qazi announced the verdict in a roaring voice: "All those people who have caught and brought the old man, and all those who live in the three streets around the old man's house, will all pay fifty Dirhams to the old man on the first of every month as a fine." When people asked the reason for this, the Qazi replied: "Neither is the old man at an age to steal, nor does he look like a professional thief because if he were a thief, he would have presented his defense in a good manner as is the custom of thieves. Hunger has driven the old man to theft. The biggest cause for this is the old man's neighbors, who never inquired about his well-being. Therefore, the old man is a thief of one loaf of bread, while the entire neighborhood of the old man is a thief of humanity." "The punishment I have announced was actually your duty which you failed to perform, which is why it has been named a crime." The Qazi's decision brought tears to the old man's eyes, while it lowered the heads of the onlookers in shame. ___________📝📝___________ Narrated. Selection: Islamic Tube Pro App