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“I have collected Rs. 13,000 this Eid!” announced Ahmed, proudly counting his Eidi (money received as gift on Eid). Ali frowned and whimpered: “Don’t show off! Today is just the first day of Eid. I will, Insha’Allah, collect more than you have!”
After a delicious open house, Ahmed’s family left Ali’s home. Mom and Samrah Apa started clearing away the dining table. Dad and Dadi (grandmother) settled down to chitchat. Ali entered and shouted in frustration: “Why do I always have so little Eidi?”
Dad looked up, startled: “Excuse me?”
“I am saying – why do I always get so little Eidi? It’s the first day of Eid, and Ahmed already has Rs. 13,000! That is not fair.”
Samrah Apa argued: “I thought you had Rs. 3,000, too.”
“Yeah! But that is peanuts. Do you expect me to buy the world with Rs. 3,000?” challenged Ali angrily.
Dad warned Ali: “Watch your tone, young man. We don’t speak to our elders this way in this house. Please, apologize to your sister for your rude behaviour.”
Before Ali could counter that, Dadi jumped in: “Ali! Sweetheart, I almost forgot. You asked me to tell you a story last night after Isha, and I got busy with your Mom preparing the Sheer Khurma (dessert) for today. Now is the perfect time for it!”
Ali, sniffing away a hot string of tears, stood silently in the corner of the room. Dadi got up and embraced him warmly, leading him to the rug. She motioned to him to sit down. Dadi settled in her favourite sofa. Dad, Mom and Samrah Apa joined in, too. Ali sat down, quietly staring at the floor. Adjusting the crispy white Dupatta (head scarf) on her head, Dadi smiled softly: “Who knows who Imam Shafii was?”
Mom smiled, glancing at Ali: “Imam Shafii was a distinguished Muslim hero from the world of learning.”
Dadi beamed: “Correct, my dear! He was a well-travelled scholar and a magnificent teacher. He was a Hafiz of Quran, an expert of the Arabic language and the Hadeeths and so much more! Once, at the time of Eid, Imam Shafii’s wife requested him to take a loan, as there was nothing to eat in the house. The Imam borrowed 70 Dirhams from someone. On the way back to his house, he was surrounded with beggars. He distributed the entire amount among the poor and returned home empty-handed. When his wife heard the story, she commented that this was what he always did.
Similarly, once on the night of Eid, Imam Mazni visited Imam Shafii. He saw a slave greet Imam Shafii and present to him a bag of coins from his master. A moment later, another man came hurriedly and pleaded with Imam Shafii that he had a baby born and had no money to spend. Imam Shafii gave away the bag of coins to him and, with a smile on his face, walked into his house.
The early days of Imam Shafii’s life were spent in poverty and hardship. Later, he was blessed with wealth by the grace of Allah (swt). He spent most generously for the betterment of the poor and hardly retained any money for his own needs. When people inquired about his selfless attitude, Imam Shafii reasoned: ‘Listen! Allah (swt) grants money, so that it can be used for the welfare of the poor! If I start benefiting from this wealth, what will be my state on the Day of Judgement, when Rasulullah (SA) will be brought forward as an intercessor?’ Imam Shafii kept on repeating these words and wept.”
Ali listened intently, wide-eyed. Dadi continued: “So, my dear, there is no end to a man’s desire for money.
But if we feel happy with whatever Allah (swt) has granted us, it becomes sufficient for us and makes us feel rich anyway. Allah (swt) puts Barakah in it. With the little you have, you are able to share with others, help them in need, fulfil your own needs, too, and most importantly, feel content. Don’t ever compare yourself to anyone, for everyone’s heart longs for different things. Heroes like Imam Shafii never cared for wealth. That is why their name lives on today and will be honoured, until the Hour comes.”
Ali smiled and hugged Dadi. Samrah Apa ruffled his hair. “Sorry for being mean to you!” Ali apologized to his sister.
“Oh, no! I won’t let you off this easily, little brother. You are going to treat us all to something really delightful with your Eidi,” Samrah Apa teased.
“Any time! I know Allah (swt) won’t leave my wallet empty, if I spend and share with others, Insha’Allah.”
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