We all heard about this story several months ago. It has come back again and is one of the highlights of rather bleak 2009.

Mohammad Sohail, a convenience store owner in Shirley, NY was almost robbed one night. Sohail always kept an unloaded rifle in his store and pointed it at the robber, who was only wielding a bat.

The robber got on his knees and begged for mercy, not knowing the gun was unloaded. Sohail took pity on the man, gave him some bread and money, and made him promise to never rob again.

Sohail also gave the man Shahada and he became a Muslim.

In the months following this incident, Sohail has been getting several letters and even checks from admirers around the country. But earlier this month, he received an anonymous letter with $50 inside.

The letter said:

“At the time I had No money No food on my table No Job, and nothing for my family. I know that it was wrong, but I had know (sic) choice. I needed to feed My family. When You had That gun to my head I was 100% that I was going to die,”

The letter was signed “Your Muslim Brother.”

The letter states that the robber now has a good job and is trying to be a good Muslim.

This is a great story about the importance of true faith, and what Islam really is. It’s not so much how big your beard is or how long your clothes are or whether you cover your face or go to the Masjid (mosque) every day.

All of those things are important and good to do. But use is it if we are still corrupt inside? I’m sure there are many of us who would have shot that man, or called the cops, or chased him away without offering anything.

Mohammad Sohail and this mysterious former robber should be inspirations to us all. Not only in showing kindness to others, but also in how we all have the capacity to change for the better. Inshallah.