The first visit
The Prophet ﷺ told of three men from the Children of Israel whom Allah willed to test. An angel asked the man with leprosy what he wanted most; he asked for clear skin, because people avoided him. The angel touched him and he was healed, and he was given a pregnant she-camel. The bald man asked for good hair; he was healed and given a pregnant cow. The blind man asked that Allah return his sight so he could see people; Allah did, and he was given a pregnant sheep.
The animals multiplied until one man had a valley full of camels, another a valley of cows, and the third a valley of sheep.
The second visit
The angel came back to the first man in the form and appearance of a leper: a poor traveller, stranded, asking for one camel by Him who had given him his skin and wealth. The man said he had too many obligations. The angel reminded him he had once been a poor leper. He replied that he had inherited it all from his forefathers. “If you are lying, may Allah return you to how you were.” The bald man gave the same answer and received the same reply.
Then the angel came to the third man looking like a blind traveller. He said: I was blind and Allah gave me my sight, I was poor and Allah made me rich. Take whatever you want; by Allah, I will not hold back anything you take for His sake. The angel said: keep your wealth. You have all been tested; Allah is pleased with you and angry with your two companions (Bukhari 3464; also Sahih Muslim 2964).
What we can take from it
- Remember who you were before Allah gave you what you have.
- Wealth and health are tests too, not only hardship.
- Gratitude shows in giving. The blind man’s thanks was an open hand.