ONCE ON AN INTENSELY hot day, Hadhrat Abdullah Ibn Umar (Radhiyallahu anhu) was on the outskirts of Madinah Tayyibah with some of his Students. It was time for meals. The dastarkhwaan was spread. A shepherd with a flock of goats was passing nearby. He made Salaam. Hadhrat Abdullah Ibn Umar (Radhiyallahu anhu) invited him to the meal. The shepherd said that he was fasting.
Surprised, he said to the shepherd: “You fast on such an intensely hot day whilst you are tending to the goats? The shepherd said: “By Allah! I make haste to gain a share (of reward) from these days.”
Putting him to test, Hadhrat Abdullah Bin Umar (Radhiyallahu anhu) said: “Sell me one goat. Part of the meat will be for you for Iftaar.” Shepherd: “Not a single goat belongs to me. All these goats belong to my master.”
Hadhrat Ibn Umar, testing him further said: “Your master is not here. He will not miss one goat.” Shepherd, pointing to the sky, said: “What about Allah? Where is He?”
Hadhrat Abdullah Ibn Umar (Radhiyallahu anhu) was profoundly impressed by the honesty and piety of the shepherd. When he returned to Madinah Tayyibah, he bought the entire flock from the owner together with the shepherd (who was a slave). He then set the shepherd free and made a gift of all the goats to him.