Goal to Be Kind
Rashid learns that kindness and good character bring people together and earn the pleasure of Allah.
Rashid was known for being angry and unfriendly. One day, as Zakariyya hurried past him, Rashid shouted, “Watch where you are going!” Zakariyya quietly apologised and avoided making eye contact with him because he was afraid. Rashid was always fighting and shouting at the boys in his Maktab class, and everyone was scared of him. His younger brother, Haroon, often felt sad seeing his older brother treat others so badly.
One day, Haroon’s classmate eagerly asked him, “Are you going to play football with us today?” All the children had made plans to meet after class, but no one had invited Rashid. When it was time to go home, the children left happily together while Rashid was left behind.
Rashid’s Ustaad noticed that he was still there and asked him, “What’s wrong, Rashid? Are you not joining the boys for football?”
“I wasn’t invited,” Rashid muttered sadly.
His Ustaad gently explained, “Rashid, if we treat others badly, no one will want to spend time with us. People will be afraid of someone who constantly treats them badly or makes them afraid of angering him.”
Rashid listened carefully as his Ustaad continued, “Shaytaan is always trying to make us argue and become upset with our Muslim brothers and sisters. When we listen to Shaytaan, we make him happy. We don’t want to make Shaytaan happy, do we?”
Rashid shook his head.
“When we make Allah happy by being kind to others, Allah will love us. And when we have good character and treat people kindly, others will also love and respect us,” his Ustaad said. He then gently patted Rashid on the head and added, “Let’s make the intention to defeat Shaytaan and make Allah happy.”
“Insha Allah,” Rashid replied, determined to try his best.
This story teaches us that we should always try our best to behave well with others. When we treat people badly, they may become afraid of us and avoid spending time with us. We should follow the example of our Nabi ﷺ, who had the best character and treated people with kindness. Good manners and kindness bring people closer together and help us earn the pleasure of Allah.