It was a bitter, cold evening. The old man's beard was glazed by winter'sfrost while he waited for a ride across the river. The wait seemed endless.His body became numb and stiff from the frigid north wind. He heard the faint, steady rhythm of approaching hooves galloping along the frozen path.*
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*Anxiously, he watched as several horsemen rounded the bend. He let thefirst one pass by without an effort to get his attention. Then another passed by... and another. Finally, the last rider neared the spot where theold man sat like a snow statue.*
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*As this one drew near, the old man caught the rider's eye and said, "Sir,would you mind giving an old man a ride to the other side? There doesn't appear to be a passageway by foot."*
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*Reining his horse, the rider replied, "Sure thing. Hop aboard."*
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*Seeing the old man was unable to lift his half-frozen body from the ground, the horseman dismounted and helped the old man onto the horse. The horsemantook the old man not just across the river, but to his destination, whichwas just a few miles away.*
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*As they neared the tiny but cozy cottage, the horseman's curiosity caused him to inquire, "Sir, I notice that you let several other riders pass bywithout making an effort to secure a ride. Then I came up and youimmediately asked me for a ride. I'm curious why, on such a bitter winter night; you would wait and ask the last rider. What if I had refused and leftyou there?"*
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*The old man lowered himself slowly down from the horse, looked the riderstraight in the eyes, and replied, "I've been around here for some time. I reckon I know people pretty good."*
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*The old-timer continued, "I looked into the eyes of the other riders andimmediately saw there was no concern for my situation. It would have beenuseless even to ask them for a ride. *
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*But when I looked into your eyes, kindness and compassion were evident. Iknew, then and there, that your gentle spirit would welcome the opportunityto give me assistance in my time of need."*
*Those heartwarming comments touched the horseman deeply.*
Our beloved Prophet (pbuh) said: ‘There are one hundred (parts of the) Mercy of Allah and He has sent down out of this (hundred), only one part of Mercy upon all the Jinn, and human beings, and the creatures…. and it is because of this (one part of the Mercy of the Lord) that they love one another, show kindness to one another and even the beast treats its young one with affection! ….and Allah has reserved ninety-nine parts of Mercy with which He would treat His servants on the Day of Resurrection. (Sahih Muslim Hadith 6631 Narrated by Abu Hurayrah)
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