The Wise Judge and The Hungry Woman
The Court Case
A new judge was appointed after the previous one fell ill. Soon, court proceedings began, and an elderly woman was brought to court accused of stealing bread and honey from a restaurant.
The Court Dialogue
Judge: "Have you stolen?"
Old Woman: "Yes."
Judge: "Don't you know how big a sin it is to steal?"
Old Woman: "I know."
Judge: "Knowing why did you steal?"
Old Woman: "Because I've been starving for the last week. I had two orphans without eating with me. I couldn't stand their hungry faces and tears, so I stole. I had no choice."
The Judge's Unusual Order
The judge summoned the city chief, food warehouse chief, officials, and community leaders to court the next day. He declared:
"The elderly woman is sentenced to 1 year imprisonment, 50 whips, and 100 days fine."
The True Justice
First Part - The Ruler's Responsibility
"In the city where a hungry old woman is forced to steal, the biggest criminal is the country's Khalifa. I represent the Khalifa, so 20 of the 50 whips should be given to me."
Second Part - The Officials' Responsibility
"City chiefs and food warehouse officials who failed to feed a needy woman are also guilty. The remaining 30 whips should be given to them equally."
Third Part - Society's Responsibility
"The society that makes an old woman a thief, where orphan children starve - everyone in society is guilty. All present are fined 100 days' wages."
The Final Act of Compassion
The collected fines totaled 10,000 dinars. The judge gave:
🍞 To Shop Owner
1,500 dinars for the stolen food
👵 To Old Woman
8,500 dinars for her and the orphans
The judge then said: "Next month, you will come to Khalifa Haroon and Rashid's court. The Khalifa apologizes to you!"
The Surprising Truth
A month later, the old woman went to the Khalifa's court and discovered that the judge who had shown her such compassion was actually the Khalifa himself!
"I apologized as a judge that day for starving you and your two orphan grandchildren. Today I ask forgiveness as Khalifa for not fulfilling public rights. Please forgive me."
Lessons From This Story
⚖️ True Justice
Justice considers circumstances and shared responsibility
🤲 Shared Responsibility
Society shares responsibility for its most vulnerable members
👑 Leadership
True leaders take responsibility for their people's suffering
Applying This Wisdom Today
🏛️ Government
Leaders should take responsibility for citizens' struggles
🏘️ Community
We all share responsibility for helping those in need
💝 Compassion
Understand circumstances before judging others
The Ultimate Message
True justice isn't just about punishing wrongdoers - it's about understanding why people do wrong and addressing the root causes. When someone is driven to crime by desperation, the real crime may be a society that allowed them to become so desperate.
"A society is judged by how it treats its most vulnerable members."
