Sadaqah And Safety

During the era of Nabi Saalih (Alayhis Salaam) there was a man who caused much distress to the people. Once they approached Hadhrat Saalih (Alayhis Salaam) and complained about the stress the evil man was causing them. Nabi Saalih (Alayhis Salaam) made a Dua, then said: “Go! You are now saved from his evil.”

The indication was that Allah’s punishment had or will be descending on the man. He was a woodcutter who daily went into the field to cut wood. On that day too as usual he had gone into the woods. He had with him two bread rolls. He ate one and gave the other one to a poor person. That evening he returned home. Nothing had happened to him. In surprise, some people went to Nabi Saalih (Alayhis Salaam) and reported that the evil man had returned safe and sound.

Nabi Saalih (Alayhis Salaam) sent for him. When he came, the Nabi asked: “What good deed did you do today?” He said: “I ate one bread and I gave one bread as Sadqah.” Nabi Saalih (Alayhis Salaam) said: “Open your bundle of wood.” When the woodcutter opened his bundle, a big, black poisonous snake was curled up among the wood. The snake had embedded its fangs in a piece of timber. Hadhrat Saalih (Alayhis Salaam) commented: “The Sadqah of the bread has saved him from this disaster.”