After withdrawing cash from the ATM machine, as soon as he came out, the lady rushed in as I watched in bewilderment. What had happened was that as I reached the ATM booth, a gentleman was already waiting for his turn before me. He was standing in the shade. I stood close to him but under the hot afternoon sun and waited my turn. Meanwhile, a woman got out of her car along with her two children. Before she got close, the booth became vacant and the gentleman standing ahead of me went inside. As the lady got close, I gave her the chance to stand in the shade instead of myself. However, it was very clear to the lady that the next turn was mine.
While waiting in the sun, I had decided to give this lady my turn at the booth instead of going in myself. But as the booth door opened and that gentleman came out, the lady immediately went in, as I stood there in bewilderment. I felt bad. Not for being left behind, as I had already decided that. It was for her being left behind. She received what Allah had decided to give her through me. But she attempted to achieve it through her cunningness. Such cunning, based on obstruction of others’ rights, makes a person lag behind in the eyes of God.
This very example can be used to understand the law upon which God is running this world. Here, Allah makes all the decisions. However, the channels are chosen by people. If they violate moral principles while making these choices, it is not that they will be able to achieve more than what is decreed for them. They will only achieve what they are destined to get, but with the punishment in the Hereafter. And those who will abide by moral principles, will also achieve as per their destiny, but with the reward of the Hereafter.
Translated by Ali Zafar