Moral Inheritance

Most fathers think that the best legacy they can give their children is wealth and property. But, in truth, the most fortunate children are those whose parents leave them a model for principled living.

Karim Bux was an unpretentious, religious gentleman who lived quietly in a village on a modest income. When he finally passed away at the age of 65, he left no material inheritance worth the name to his family. After his death his eldest son, Rahim, left the village and went to settle in the city so that he could make a living for his family. Whatever meagre resources he had, went into the small business he set up there.

Karim Bux may have left no money to his family, what he did bequeath to them was of inestimable value. What he left to them was an ideal of contentment. Simple living and avoidance of confrontations. By virtue of these things, Rahim managed to make slow but steady progress, despite his initial investment being negligible. His innate desire to avoid clashes was a major factor in smoothing the path for his business to go forward. Needless to say, everyone was happy with him. Everyone helped him in times of need.

In spite of Rahim’s resources being limited, he never lacked credit, thanks to his fair-dealing and his reputation for always fulfilling his promises. Whenever there was any friction, he would pray for anyone who wronged him. Whenever he was tempted to do anything dishonest or unfair, the innocent face of his father would appear before him and he would be keenly aware of, how his wrongdoing would torment the spirit of his poor father in his grave. Such thoughts immediately caused him to dismiss all temptations from his mind and he would regain sufficient mental poise to continue to tread the same path as his father had trodden.

Rahim’s business may have been a very ordinary one, but such was his courtesy, honesty and selflessness that he could command the same respect and live with the same honour and dignity as a top business magnate.

When his business began to flourish, he felt the need of assistance. So, he invited his brothers one by one to come from the village and stay with him. Finally, all the four brothers were united. The business, for convenience, was divided into four separate departments, each one being placed in the charge of one of his brothers. For a time, they all lived happily together in a joint family although, in their respective spheres, they worked independently of each other.

But after some time, Rahim Bux felt that his brothers were not taking as much interest in the business as they should. At first, only two options appeared to be open to him. Either, as the eldest and owner of the business, he could continue to keep everything firmly in his own hands and remove his brothers from their positions of trust, thus incurring their immediate wrath and unending hostility, or he could allow things to go on as they were and then ultimately face the consequences of allowing a joint-family concern to be irresponsibly run. Inevitably it would mean mutual grievances coming to a head, great deal of bitterness and a final splitting up of the business.

Rahim Bux gave this matter careful consideration for several days, then a third option having become clear to him, he gathered his bro­thers together and put the whole matter before them. His suggestion was that the best course would be for each brother to become the proprietor of his own department and then to run it independently of the main business. “In this way,” he said, “Our father’s spirit will be at peace and it is my sincere hope that this will prove a blessing to all of us, for it is only by the grace of God that no disaster has as yet befallen us.” All of his brothers then expressed their gratitude and approval and gave him a free hand to apportion the business as he saw fit. After a brief discussion it was decided that the fairest way would be to draw lots for the different departments and the distribution was subsequently carried out to the satisfaction of everyone.

All the four brothers then set themselves to their tasks with a will and a way, working hard day in and day out. And now their children have been brought into the business to assist them.

All the four brothers have improved their relationship with one another, being at all times prepared to give their unstinting assistance to each other. Although they have all had separate accommodation built for themselves, Rahim Bux still commands respect as the eldest brother, and he can always have his say. The women and children also help one another when the need arises, for they still think of themselves as one big family.

Most fathers think that the best legacy they can give their children is wealth and property. But, in truth, the most fortunate children are those whose parents leave them a model for principled living. Those who, before leaving this world, have taught their children to have faith in hard work, to avoid confrontation, to remain content, to look forward to future opportunities rather than immediate gains and to adopt a realistic attitude rather than indulge in wishful thinking, have left behind them a moral inheritance that is far more lasting and of much greater value than the greatest fortunes in the world. But how many fathers are there who realize this great truth?