A Deed – or was I Duped?

He who does not abandon falsehood in word and action in accordance with fasting, God has no need that he should abandon his food and drink. ~Prophet Muhammad

It is five minutes to seven, the time for Muslims in Penang to break fast. You’re cycling on the road when a Malay man approaches you and explains that he has lost his wallet. He politely asks for RM1.80 so that he can buy his dinner. Should you give him the money or just come up with some excuse and leave?

You may not have a chance to encounter this unusual situation, but a guy actually did. And he gave the stranger two bucks. Foolish, no? Well, that guy was me.

It happened yesterday evening, when I cycled to a nearby coffee shop to buy dinner. I was reaching a junction when a guy, who was also happened to be cycling, called out at me. Of course, I was initially confused. The Malay who appeared to be in his twenties was a total stranger to me.

When I stopped by the road, he approached and explained that he dropped his wallet somewhere. It was about time for him to break fast but he needed RM1.80 for his dinner. In a polite manner which he maintained throughout the conversation, he asked if I’d be kind enough to help him out. Without giving it a second thought, I replied, “Sure!” and gave him two bucks. His visage was beaming as he shook my hand and thanked me.

Some people may ask, “Heck, you believed the guy, a total stranger who you didn’t know? How did you know he was not lying?” The truth is, I don’t know. In fact, I just assumed that he was telling the truth and considered whether to help him or not. After all, isn’t this Ramadan, the holy month? Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t not trying to earn my pass through the Pearly Gates. I’m a non-Muslim – an atheist, to be exact. To people like me, there is no concept of heaven or hell.

I was trying to say, since it’s Ramadan, I presumed he wouldn’t be lying, right? It’s supposed to be a month for self-purification and spiritual growth for Muslims like him. Furthermore, don’t you think there isn’t such a desperate need for someone to lie to a stranger just to dupe him of two bucks?

Nevertheless, there is always still a small possibility that he was lying. I remembered hearing him said that he wanted to lodge a police report initially but was told it wasn’t necessary. He just needed to go to the National Registration Department to get a replacement. Thinking of that, it didn’t really make sense to me. But, even if I was cheated of two bucks, I don’t think it matters much. It just proves that I’m gullible, and nothing more. While that guy, on the other hand, has his conscience to deal with! Since there’s no way to find out now I presume he was telling the truth, and be glad I didn't leave him to starve to death by the road.

Moments later, I met that guy again. I thought I saw him holding something which looked like a cigarette. I wondered… Nah, I didn’t care to find out!