The Judge’s Wisdom: A Story of Trust, Deceit, and Divine Justice
How the insight of a righteous judge restored a man’s trust and wealth—with lessons rooted in the Quran and Ahlul Bayt (AS)
In the bustling streets of Kufa, a humble man prepared to depart for the sacred pilgrimage of Hajj. Possessing little in the world except a small hoard of gold—his life’s savings—he sought out a trusted friend.
“My friend, I am leaving for Hajj. This gold is all I own. Guard it for me until I return. No one else knows about this.”
The friend, looking sincere, replied, “Of course. Consider it safe with me.”
Months passed. The man completed his Hajj and returned, his heart cleansed and spirit uplifted. He visited his friend to retrieve his entrusted gold.
“Brother, I’ve returned. Can I please have my gold?”
“What gold?” the man replied, feigning ignorance. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Stunned and betrayed, the pilgrim turned to Judge Iyaas, a man known for his sharp intellect and just rulings. “O Judge, before I left, I entrusted my gold to this man. Now he denies ever receiving it.”
The judge asked only one question: “Did anyone else know of this trust?”
“No, only you, now.”
“Good. Then don’t speak to anyone else. Return home and wait for me to call you.”
Soon, Judge Iyaas summoned the deceitful man and greeted him kindly.
“I’ve heard of your honesty. A wealthy associate of mine is arriving soon with a great amount of gold. I’d like to entrust it to you. Prepare a secure place.”
Tempted by the promise of more, the man agreed.
Later, the judge quietly instructed the pilgrim, “Now go and ask him for your gold again. If he refuses, say: ‘I will report you to Judge Iyaas.’”
The man did exactly that. This time, the thief panicked.
“Don’t worry, my friend. I’ll return it to you tonight.”
That evening, the entire sum was returned.
Bewildered, the pilgrim returned to Judge Iyaas. “I don’t know how you did it—but he gave everything back!”
Judge Iyaas smiled, not with pride, but with gratitude to Allah for guiding him with wisdom. He had turned the man’s greed against his lies—without force, without public shame, but through insight and justice.
Lessons from the Qur’an and Ahlul Bayt (AS)
This story reflects the Qur’anic command:
“Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due and when you judge between people to judge with justice…” (Quran, Surah an-Nisa, Chapter 4, The Women, Verse 58)
It also echoes the teachings of Imam Ali (AS), the symbol of divine justice, who said:
“He who is trusted should not betray, even if he is betrayed.” (Nahj al-Balagha, Saying 204)
And in a narration from Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (AS):
“Return trusts to their owners, even if they are murderers of al-Husayn (AS).” (Wasā’il al-Shīʿa, vol. 13, p. 233)
This story is more than a clever tale—it is a reminder that justice, trust, and wisdom are not just legal ideals in Islam, but spiritual obligations. When practiced, they uphold the dignity of both the wronged and the wrongdoer, and reflect the divine justice Allah enjoins upon His servants.