Source: Shaheed Murtada Mutahhari, The Narrative of Veracious, Vol.1, STORY
NO.4, p.7-8
The caravan being tramped for hours, tiredness overwhelmed the riders and the
animals. As soon as they reached an oasis where there was water, they had their
camels kneel down. The Holy Prophet (s), accompanying the caravan, made his
camel kneel down and dismounted from it. All were rushing to reach the water to
prepare for the preliminaries of prayer, dismounting from the camel, the Holy
Prophet (s) also made his way towards the water. After covering a certain
distance, without speaking to anyone, he (s) returned back to his camel. To the
surprise of his Companions, they thought he (s) was not pleased with this place
and will order them to set out?! Lending the ears to him, in full attention,
they looked forward to hear his order. The Companions were astonished and amazed
when they saw the Holy Prophet (s) reach his camel, pick up tie and bind the
knees of it; then he (s) returned back towards his first distination.
The exclamations rose up in between the Companions: “0 Messenger of Allah! why
did you not command us to do that, and you bothered yourself while we are all
proud of being at your service?”
The Holy Prophet (s) replied: “Do not ever ask for help from others for your own
affairs and do not count upon others even if it would be a tooth—pick.” 1