“Empty-Handed” When Nader proposed to Layan, her family wasn’t in a hurry to accept or reject him. The young man looked well-groomed, had a respectable job, spoke calmly, and came from a family that was well-known in the neighborhood. Layan’s father wasn’t the type of man who cared whether the groom was rich. What mattered to him was knowing: Was the young man capable of supporting a household? Did he have debts? Was his job stable? Could he handle responsibility? After the first meeting, Layan’s father said to his wife: — The young man seems good… but we need to ask around about him. Layan’s mother said: — Of course. Ask about him properly, not just his family. And so, Layan’s father started asking around. He went to the owner of a shop near Nader’s house and asked him: — Abu Ahmad, do you know Nader, Abu Salim’s son? Abu Ahmad was quiet for a moment and scratched his head. — I know him. Why? — He’s proposed to my daughter… What do you think of him? Abu Ahmad scratched his head again and said: — Well, Abu Layan… the young man is respectable. No one has anything bad to say about him. Layan’s father felt relieved. — So, is he doing well? Abu Ahmad hesitated. — Well… it depends what you mean by “doing well.” — I mean his job, his money… Can he support a household? Abu Ahmad took a breath and said: — Look… when it comes to his character, there’s nothing to complain about. But when it comes to money… He stopped. Layan’s father asked: — When it comes to money, what? Abu Ahmad leaned closer and said: — He’s empty-handed. Layan’s father asked: — What does that mean? — It means the man is broke. He doesn’t have any money. Layan’s father went home, and his wife was waiting for him. — What did they tell you? — They said the young man is respectable, but… — But what? — He’s empty-handed. Layan’s mother went quiet. — You mean he’s broke? — And his car? — He doesn’t have a car. — A house? — He lives with his family. Layan’s mother sighed and said: — Abu Layan, so the young man wants to get married when he doesn’t have any money? Layan’s father said: — That’s exactly why it was good that we asked around. And everyone he asked told him the same thing: the young man was broke, had no money—empty-handed. Layan’s father even asked the owner of the neighborhood grocery store, and the man told him: — For the past two months, every time he comes in here, he tells me, “Put it on my tab.” — And how much does he owe you? The shopkeeper opened his notebook and said: — Don’t ask. Layan’s father went home convinced that the matter was over. He told his wife: — The young man is respectable, but his financial situation is very difficult. Layan had been listening from the other room. She came out and said: — Dad, what do you think of him? Layan’s father said: — I don’t mind him being poor. The problem would be if he has no money and no plan. Layan was quiet for a moment, then said: — I talked to him about it. Her father was surprised. — And what did he say? — He said he doesn’t have much money, but he has a stable job. He plans to rent a small house and start saving from now on. Two days later, Layan’s father asked Nader to come over and said to him: — Son, I’ve asked a lot of people about you. Nader smiled and said: — And you found out I’m broke? Nader laughed and added: — Honestly, Uncle, I’m not that broke. Layan’s father said: — Okay, tell me honestly. What do you have? Nader was quiet for a moment, then said: — I have my job, my health, and my good character… but I’m definitely not rich. Layan’s father said: — I never asked you to be rich. I just want to know that you understand what marriage and responsibility mean. Nader nodded. — I do. A few months later, Nader and Layan got married. They had a simple wedding within their means, rented a small house, and started their life together. A year later, Layan’s father was walking through the neighborhood when he saw Nader walking into his house carrying bags of groceries. He called out: — Nader! Nader stopped. — Yes, Uncle? Layan’s father laughed and said: — How are you doing? Still empty-handed? Nader put the bags down and said: — Well, Uncle, I still have these two hands… but these days, one of them holds on to the money before the other one spends it! Layan’s father laughed. — That’s what I like to hear. After that, whenever someone asked Layan’s father about Nader, he would say: — It’s true, people told me he was empty-handed back then… but the young man was poor, not a bad person. Money comes and goes. What really matters is that a man is capable of taking responsibility.