It is narrated that Mu`aawiyah ibn al-Hakam al-Sulami beat a slave girl belonging to him for being careless in minding his sheep. Then he regretted it, and came to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) to express his regret and ask for his permission to set her free. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) sent someone to call the girl and asked her: "Where is Allah?" She said: "In heaven." He asked, "Who am I?" She said: "You are the Messenger of Allah." He said: "Set her free, for she is a believer." (Muslim)

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Poverty is not for the sake of hardship. No, it is there because nothing exists but God. Poverty unlocks the door -- what a blessed key!

- Jalaluddin al-Rumi