Once a famine was raging in Basra. Habib purchased many provisions on credit and gave them away as alms. He fastened his purse and placed it under his pillow. When the tradesmen came to demand payment, he would take out his purse and it was full of Dirhams (money), which he gave away as loans.
Habib had a house in Basra on the crossroads. He also had a fur coat which he wore summer and winter. Once, needing to perform the ritual washing, he arose and left his coat on the ground. Hasan of Basra, happening on the scene, perceived the coat flung in the road.
"This ‘barbarian’ does not even know its value," he commented. "This fur coat ought not to be left here. It may get lost."
So he stood there watching over it untill Habib returned.
"Imam of the Muslims," he cried after saluting Hasan, "why are you standing here?"
"Do you not know," Hasan replied, "that this coat ought not to be left here? It may get lost. Say, in whose charge did you leave it?"
"In 'His' charge," Habib answered, "who appointed you to watch over it."
~ MUSSM, FAREED UD DEEN ATTAAR ~
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