One day Imam Hasan (a.s.) was busy eating when a dog came and stood in front of him, gazing at him. Imam Hasan (a.s.) put a mouthful of food in his own mouth and then threw some in front of the dog. The dog ate it. Wagged his tail in thanks, barked, and again lifted his head to gaze at Imam Hasan (a.s.)
Imam Hasan (a.s.) threw another mouthful of food in front of the dog. A man was passing by came forward and said. “It’s not right that this dog stands in front of you and stops you eating in peace. With your permission I will beat it and drive it away.”
“No, no, don’t do that”, Imam Hasan (a.s.) told him,
“Allah has created this animal and loves it. It is hungry and I am ashamed before Allah to eat His food and His blessings and without giving anything to this creature that is His creation. After all, it is hungry and is looking at me.”
Questions:
- How did Imam Hasan (a.s.), give food to the dog?
- Have you ever given food to animals?
- How did that dog say “Thank you”?
- Why did that man want to make the dog go away?
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