What is Faith?

One has to lose in order to gain Kaab ibn Ujrah relates how one day he came before the Prophet and, noticing the marks of strain on his face, he asked him what was troubling him. The Prophet replied that for three days his stomach had had nothing to fill it. Kaab then went out and found employment with a local Jew. He had to give water to the Jew’s camel and in return for each bucketful, he received one date. When he had a collection of dates he came before the Prophet, who asked him where he had found them. After he had explained how he came by them, the Prophet said, “Kaab, tell me, have you any love for me?” Kaab’s answer was that he would sacrifice his own dear father and mother for the sake of the Prophet. “Do you know the fate of one who loves God and His Prophet?” asked the Prophet. “Poverty, which will overtake him even more swiftly than flood waters streaming down a hillside.” (AL-TABARANI)