‘Have breakfast son!’ To call Kamran, as soon as his mother entered his room, she was surprised to see him taking money out from his saving box. ‘Is everything fine, son? Why do you need money early in the morning?’
While keeping ten and twenty rupee notes separately, Kamran humbly replied: I was about to inform you during breakfast, actually today, there is a program in our school, in which stalls of different things will be set-up so I have intended to buy a book.
‘That is a very good idea! If there is a shortage of money, take some from me. Now come quickly and have breakfast otherwise it will get cold’ saying this, Kamran’s mother went to the kitchen.
After having breakfast, when Kamran was leaving, his mother again asked: Kamran! Do you need more money? Kamran humbly replied: No dear mother! I have good amount that is sufficient for a good book. Thereafter he left for school.
Kamran parked his bicycle in the school parking lot. Main gate of school was open today. There was hustle and bustle all around. It seemed students from other schools have also been visiting the stalls.
Stalls of different beautiful and cultural items were set-up in a row in the school assembly ground. Walking past the stalls of food items, Kamran approached book stalls. Seeing fascinating and colourful books on different topics, including religion and ethics, Kamran was highly excited. He started looking for a book containing Shar’i rulings about Sawm as the blessed month of Ramadan was just two months away.
After searching for quite a while, he saw a book named, ‘Faizan-e-Ramadan [Blessings of Ramadan]’. Seeing such a lovely book on the blessings of Ramadan and its rulings, he became glad and immediately purchased the book. Now Kamran was looking here and there to visit other stalls. Meanwhile, he saw his class-fellow Owais, who was sitting worried on a bench away from the stalls. Instead of going to any other stall, Kamran went straight towards him, said Salaam, and asked: Dear Owais! Are you fine? You are looking worried.
Owais anxiously replied: Dear Kamran! I had collected some amount after much effort to buy a book but while coming to school today, my wallet fell down somewhere.
While consoling him, Kamran said: ‘Yes! It is something to worry about. By the way, which book had you planned to buy?’
The issue is not only about the money, actually, the blessed month of Ramadan is approaching, so I wanted to study any book regarding Ramadan. Owais replied disclosing the real reason for his worry.
‘Your purpose for collecting money was very good indeed. Now, keep this book, it is in accordance to your wish.’ Kamran said, while giving the book, ‘Faizan-e-Ramadan’ to Owais.
Owais was hesitant to take a new book as a gift, but he had to accept it as a gift on Kamran’s insistence.
Owais expressed his thankfulness to Kamran and went back home whereas Kamran was still standing at the same place thinking how to purchase a new book without money. In the meantime, he heard one of his teachers calling him: Kamran! ‘Seerat-un-Nabi’ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم quiz is being held here right now. Come here immediately. You are also enlisted now in Islamic quiz. Here is a question for you:
Teacher: How many times has the name of the Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم been mentioned in the Holy Quran?
Kamran: The name ‘Muhammad’ has been mentioned four times in the glorious Quran, while ‘Ahmad’ [has been mentioned] one time.
One by one, after giving correct answers to each question, Kamran attained first position and received a prize pack. Upon reaching home, he opened the pack, and filled with joy when saw the book ‘Faizan-e- Ramadan’. During lunch, he shared the whole story with his mother. After listening to him, she said: Dear son! Virtue is its own reward. So, whenever we have an opportunity to serve and help others, we should never take a step back. If we do not have a reward in this world, Allah Almighty will certainly bless us with a better reward in the Hereafter.
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