Poor or Rich?

The orange-yellow blazing sun shone over little Fatima’s head as she played happily in the park. Her grandmother, who was sitting on a nearby bench, clapped her hands in delight, when she saw her precious granddaughter shrieking excitedly. After a while, Fatima’s grandmother drifted off to sleep, while Fatima kept on playing. Some minutes later, a little girl in a shabby, torn dress came to Fatima, almost begging her to play together. Disgusted by the untidiness of the girl, Fatima pushed her, and said: “Go away, you beggar. Stop nagging me.” Shocked by Fatima’s harshness, the girl started to cry.

Fatima’s grandmother woke up, startled, when she heard the girl crying. She came running, asking Fatima what had happened. Fatima, a little afraid of telling the truth, reluctantly told her the story. Grandmother hugged Fatima and the other girl, and very softly explained: “Fatima, it does not matter whether you are rich or poor. Allah (swt) sees what is in your heart. I would like you to apologize to the girl, and when we go home, pray to Allah (swt) for forgiveness.”

Burning with shame, Fatima apologized to the girl, and when they reached home, Fatima asked Allah (swt) to forgive her.

Remember – it does not matter whether you are rich or poor. What matters is what is in your heart.

By Rumaisa Waseem
11 years
Generations’ School