A caravan was attacked in the land of Greece, and immeasurable wealth was taken.
The merchants wept and wailed, invoking God and the Prophet as intercessors, but it was of no use.
When the dark-hearted thief is victorious,
What does he care for the caravan’s cries?
Luqman the Wise was in that caravan.
One of the merchants said to him: “Perhaps you could advise and preach to them so that they might spare some of our wealth, for it would be a pity for so much bounty to be wasted.”
He replied: "It is a pity to speak words of wisdom to them.
Iron that has been eaten by rust
Cannot be polished by a file.
What use is preaching to a black-hearted person?
An iron nail will not penetrate stone.
Surely, the fault lies with us.
In times of prosperity, help the broken-hearted,
For comforting the poor averts calamity.
When a beggar asks you for something with tears,
Give it, or else the oppressor will take it by force."
