In one of Shaykh Muhammad Mukhtar al-Shanqiti’s tapes on ‘Yaqin’ (certainty), he mentions the story of a scholar who was once afflicted with poverty…

The scholar had just completed writing the tafseer of the Qur’an but due to his poor income, he was unable to publish his work. So he went and sought counsel from his brethren, students and teachers. They directed him to man who possessed much wealth and riches saying ‘Go to so-and-so, he’ll provide you with some money so you can publish your work.’

The scholar went and rented a ship, embarking on his journey and going by sea. However, it was by the Mercy and Divine Plan of Allah `azza wa jall that as he set off, he saw a man walking along the seashore. He ordered the captain of the ship to let this man get on and ride along with them. When the man got on, the scholar asked, ‘Who are you?’ He said, ‘I am so-and-so (mentioning his name).’ The man then asked, ‘Where are you going (i.e. where is the ship destined?).’ The scholar said, ‘I am going to so-and-so in search of his assistance in publishing my book.’ The man said, ‘I hear you have interpreted the Qur’an?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ The man said, ‘Subhan Allah, how did you interpret the statement of Allah `azza wa jall,

إيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وإيَّاكَ نَسْتعِينُ
‘You do we worship and only in You do we seek Help.’
[Surah al-Fatiha]

The scholar provided the man with the tafseer of the verse, but he understood the intent that lay behind the question. So he said to the captain of the ship, ‘Take me back to my house.’

May Allah have mercy upon him; despite his needy state, he returned to his house, but with his heart filled with certainty that Allah `azza wa jall would surely suffice him, take him out of this poverty and ease his affairs.

No more than 3 days had passed by when a man knocked on his door. He opened it and the man said, ‘I’ve come with a message from so-and-so. News has reached him that you have authored a tafseer of the Qur’an which he would like to see.’ Incredibly, this turned out to be the same man whom the scholar had set off to meet and get help from! So he gave the tafseer to the messenger who took it back with him. When the wealthy man read it, he was filled with amazement and admiration, causing him to return a pouch filled with gold and riches to the poor scholar.

We should never forget…

ما أيقن الإنسان بالله عز وجل فخيّبه الله سبحانه وتعالى
‘A person has never held certainty in Allah `azza wa jall only for Allah to disappoint him.’ Never will Allah disappoint those with yaqeen (certainty), tawakkul (reliance) and husn al-dhann (good opinion) of Him.