God sent an angel to try a leper, a bald and a blind. The angel asked the leper what he would like best. He said: a good complexion and a clear skin and removal of my affliction... The angel passed his hands over him and his affliction left him, and he acquired a good complexion. Then the angel asked him: What property would you like best? The man said: camels. He was given a pregnant she-camel...
Then the angel asked the bald what he would like best? He said: lovely hair and removal of the affliction... The angel passed his hands over him and his affliction was removed, and he acquired lovely hair. Then the angel asked him: What property would you like best? The man said: cattle. He was given a pregnant cow...
Then the angel asked the blind what he would like best. He said: My sight so that I may see... The angel passed his hands over his eyes and God restored his sight. Then the angel asked him: What property would you like best? The man said: goats. He was given a pregnant she-goat...
The animals multiplied greatly, so that one had a valley full of camels, the other a valley full of cattle and the third a valley full of goats.
Thereafter the angel came in his old guise to the leper and said: I am a poor man bereft of all resources in the course of my journey, and I have no means left for the completion of my journey, save God. I beg you in the name of God, Who has given you a good complexion and a clear skin and great wealth to furnish me with a camel that might help me to reach the end of my journey. The man said: I have many obligations. The angel said: I seem to recognize you. Were you not a leper… enriched by God? The man said: My wealth is inherited through generations. The angel said: If you are lying, may Allah restore you to the condition in which you were.
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Then he came to the bald one in his old guise and said to him the same as he had said to the leper and received a reply similar to the one he had received from the leper. To this one also he said.: If you are lying, may Allah restore you to the condition in which you were.
Then the angel came to the blind one in his old guise and said to him the same as to the other two. The man said: Indeed, I was blind, and God restored my sight... Take what you will and leave what you will. I shall not constrain you in any way in respect of whatever you may wish to take... The angel said: Keep all you have. All three of you were being tried. God is, indeed, pleased with thee and is wroth with thy companions.
This story was narrated by Prophet Muhammad.
