1-ArRahmaan

            Firdaus and Zahid were good friends. Every day, they sat and studied together in the classroom. They also had the same type of lunch box which they brought to school every day. During break time, they also sat together at the canteen to have their snacks. They even played football and cycled together at the park during the weekends, also because they were neighbors.

            Today is Sports Day. Firdaus is taking part in the short distance running competition.  He has been practicing since last month for this race. Zahid has promised to cheer Firdaus on. However, Zahid falls ill today, and he informs Firdaus early in the morning that he is not coming to the Sports Day.

            Firdaus feels so upset to hear that news, but he still had to continue with the race since he has enrolled for it. At about 11 am, Firdaus’s turn is getting near, and he gets ready. Upon hearing his name called, he goes to the starting line and stands in position. Once the gun shots, Firdaus dashes on the track. He runs and runs until he suddenly stops in the middle of the track. He cannot continue because he is breathless. At the end of the line, someone already wins the race and as all the competitors pass him by, Firdaus sits on the ground catching his breath.

The next day, Firdaus meets Zahid in the school canteen. Zahid asks Firdaus why he is looking glum that day. Zahid says, “Hey why are you so sad? Is everything ok?”  Firdaus tells his friend what happened yesterday. Zahid then starts laughing at Firdaus. Zahid thinks it is ridiculous for Firdaus to stop in the middle of the run like that. Firdaus feels hurt and so he leaves Zahid and walks to the school hall and sits on his own alone there.

            When the bell rings, Firdaus goes to his classroom and finds his classmates laughing and mocking at him for what happened yesterday. Firdaus feels so angry with them and even angrier when he sees Zahid is among them. Firdaus pushes Zahid out of the classroom. Firdaus and Zahid start pushing and boxing each other. A big fight starts, and the rest of the classmates cheer them on.

            Their teacher suddenly appears and says, “What is happening class? Why are both of you fighting? Firdaus, how can you beat your friend? That is unacceptable.” The teacher scolds Firdaus. “Oh great, now everyone thinks I am bad and hates me,” Firdaus thought to himself as he runs to find his mother who works in the school’s office.

            Firdaus cries and tells his mother what has happened, but she says, “Remember, you still have Allah. Allah loves you most even when others hate you. Allah will never abandon his obedient servants if you remember and love Him.”  Firdaus stops crying and in his little heart he prays to Allah as it is pounding extremely fast, “Ya Allah, please make my teacher and all my friends love me again. Amin.”  

While Firdaus is with his mother, the teacher asks the class about what happened just now. After hearing the full story, she scolds them for what they did to Firdaus. The teacher makes his classmates apologize to Firdaus for laughing at him. She also says that when the two boys were fighting, their classmates shouldn’t have cheered them on. They should pull them apart and stop them from hurting each other. The teacher encourages them to shake hands. Furthermore, it is not Firdaus’ fault that he lost the race. He was not feeling well that day. He was breathless during the run. Should he continue, it will be dangerous and may even cost him his life. They should be more gracious, understand and comfort him to make him feel better and try harder the next time. All the students nod their heads and then enter the classroom smiling as the teacher ushers them in.

Zahid hugs and pats Firdaus’ shoulder as he apologizes to Firdaus and they are good friends again.