Bismillah.
Narrated 'Urwa bin Az-Zubair (radiallaahu `anhu) and Said bin Al-Musaiyab (radiallaahu `anhu):
Hakim bin Hizam (radiallaahu `anhu) said, "(Once) I asked Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) (for something) and he gave it to me. Again I asked and he gave (it to me). Again I asked and he gave (it to me). And then he said, "O Hakim! This property is like a sweet fresh fruit; whoever takes it without greediness, he is blessed in it, and whoever takes it with greediness, he is not blessed in it, and he is like a person who eats but is never satisfied; and the upper (giving) hand is better than the lower (receiving) hand." Hakim (radiallaahu `anhu) added, "I said to Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam), 'By Him (Allah) Who sent you with the Truth, I shall never accept anything from anybody after you, till I leave this world.' " Then Abu Bakr (radiallaahu `anhu) (during his caliphate) called Hakim to give him his share from the war booty (like the other companions of the Prophet ), he refused to accept anything. Then 'Umar (radiallaahu `anhu) (during his caliphate) called him to give him his share but he refused. On that 'Umar (radiallaahu `anhu) said, "O Muslims! I would like you to witness that I offered Hakim his share from this booty and he refused to take it." So Hakim (radiallaahu `anhu) never took anything from anybody after the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) till he died.
- See how the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) keeps giving him without hesitation. Every time he asks, he does not return empty-handed. He's not made to feel let-down in any way either. It's way too simple. So amazing.
- The words of the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) are so meaningful. "This property is like a sweet fresh fruit; whoever takes it without greediness, he is blessed in it, and whoever takes it with greediness, he is not blessed in it, and he is like a person who eats but is never satisfied."
It's true, if you cling on to a fresh fruit (think grape or date) very tightly [with greed], it'll be squished. Its juice will splash out. And the one wanting to eat it won't be left with much. He'll eat but won't be satisfied. - Hakim (radiallaahu `anhu) makes a promise to the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam), that he won't take anything from anyone ever again. And he kept it! Throughout his life! O_O
There is a way to come out of your oath [kaffaarah] if you can't keep it. He had the option, but he didn't go for it. Such consistency. He followed it so religiously, like his life depended on it. Even when the caliphs offered him his right;y-deserved share from the booty, he refused to take it. Wow. SubhanAllah. Such people. Such lives! May Allah make us more like them in righteousness and piety. And may He be pleased with us like He was pleased with them (sahaabah).
Taken from: http://ilookilisten.wordpress.com/2012/12/10/keeping-ones-word-hadith-no-1210/
