Having changed into his night dress, Zohan jumped into the bed where his grandmother was already waiting for him. When he turned to her, she smiled, ÔÇ£I know you are excited about your bedtime story, arenÔÇÖt you?ÔÇØ Zohan laughed with blushed cheeks, ÔÇ£Nano, you know that is the favourite part of holidays!ÔÇØ ÔÇ£I know my sonÔÇØ, said Nano while hugging Zohan tightly, ÔÇ£How much you look forward to holidays, and I, too, enjoy our time together as much as you do.ÔÇØ
Zohan placed his head on NanoÔÇÖs lap and inquired, ÔÇ£what story are you going to tell me today? You said youÔÇÖll tell me something to make me a better kid. Nano, how can I be a better kid? Can stories do that?ÔÇØ Nano smiled wholeheartedly. ÔÇ£You are one curious kid, and that is quite a good quality. Today, instead of our regular story, I will tell you some golden rules that, when understood properly, can improve the lives of the people around you and yours as well.ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£And what are those nano?ÔÇØ ZohanÔÇÖs eyes shinned with curiosity. Nano, while moving her wrinkled fingers into ZohanÔÇÖs black hair, replied:
ÔÇ£Always greet people first, say Assalam Alaikum, when you meet someone, especially elders, as itÔÇÖs a sign of respect; meanwhile, you will earn good deeds.
Moreover, our Holy Prophet (PBUH) has said:
ÔÇÿVerily, the best people to Allah are those who are first to greet with peace.ÔÇÖ
Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) mentioned many small acts that can earn you good deeds in no time. Good humans should act on those for He (PBUH) is the best role model for manners and ethics. He (PBUH) told us:
- ÔÇÿYour smiling in your brother\’s face is charity.ÔÇÖ
- ÔÇÿCommanding good and forbidding evil is charity.ÔÇÖ
- ÔÇÿYour giving directions to a man lost in the land is charity for you.ÔÇÖ
- ÔÇÿYour seeing for a man with bad sight is a charity for you.ÔÇÖ
- ÔÇÿYour removal of a rock, a thorn, or a bone from the road is charity for you.ÔÇÖ
- ÔÇÿYour pouring what remains from your bucket into the bucket of your brother is charity for you.ÔÇÖ
- None of you will have faith until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.ÔÇÖ
- Show mercy, and you will be shown mercy. Forgive, and Allah will forgive you.ÔÇÖ
- The believer does not curse/use vulgar language.ÔÇÖ
- ÔÇÿDo not lose your temper.ÔÇÖ
ÔÇ£Therefore, you should always be respectful, help one another, and be conscious not to hurt the feelings of others, my sonÔÇØ, said Nano. Zohan listened to every word of Nano with attention and nodded his head, ÔÇ£Nano, I promise to act upon these from now onwards. TodayÔÇÖs bedtime was the best.ÔÇØ
Moral
Always try to help others in any way possible, no matter how small. Always respect your elders, love younger kids, and treat each other well. Beware of foul language and bad temper while being kind and empathetic as these are the characteristics of a good human.
