Short Stories of Martyrs: The Ranger Boots and the Man in Debt.
A Debt Paid, A Prayer Granted: The Legacy of the Ranger Boot Martyr
One day I went to a store to buy something and I saw a person talking to the store owner and he looked shy. I heard him talking to him about his debt and whether or not he could bear with him for two more weeks because he couldn't pay it, the store owner was apologizing to him and told him that the situation is out of his hands and that he has to pay the errors or he will be in difficulty and that he needs a loaf of bread to feed his children.
At that moment, while we were talking — a young man dressed in Military camouflage and ranger boots came into the store and overheard the store owner talking to the person in debt. The person in debt appeared to bring money shortly afterwards.
After half an hour, I came back. The store owner asked me about the young man, as I was talking to him. He wanted to know his name. I asked him why. He said,
“He Just approached me and asked me regarding the debtor's account, so I told him $400. He took $500 out of his pocket and paid the debt and said, "I will also give $100 to that person so he can buy food for his children as I’m sure he must be struggling, and if he asks you who paid, tell him: "The ranger boot guy paid on your behalf on the occasion of the birth of the Master of Martyrs, ask him to pray to God to grant me the honour of achieving martyrdom and that's it.”
As soon as he finds out who owes him, he starts crying with joy, he eventually found out who he was, but a day later came to know that this young man’s clothing and ranger boots were found, his image was published on social media, he had indeed achieved his wish, to become a martyr.
“Those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah are like a grain of corn [of grain]; it grows seven ears, and in each ear is a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies [His reward] for whom He wills.” — Surah Al-Baqarah, (The Cow: 2:261)