In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

Telling the Truth

(for 4 to 7 years old kids)

 

Do you know Allāh [SWT] loves those who always tell the truth and never lie?

Saying the truth requires us to be strong and courageous. Sometimes we may find it difficult to say the truth, but we have to be strong enough to say it. People who lie, are not strong or courageous, because they don’t have the courage to tell the truth.

 

When we always speak the truth, it means we are being honest. What does it mean for us to be honest?

Honesty means not to cheat others. When we cheat others, we are hiding the truth from them, and it is wrong. Cheating is the same as lying and being dishonest. Honesty is the same as telling the truth.

This topic reminds me a story. Story of “Ahmad the Honest Boy”.

   

AHMAD THE HONEST BOY

Ahmad wanted to buy a soccer ball. His mother refused to give him money, but she said that he could save some of his pocket money and then buy his soccer ball. One day, Ahmad’s mother said: ‘Ahmad! Would you please go and buy a box of tea from uncle Salim’s store?’

 ‘Sure Mum!’ said Ahmad. And off he went to uncle Salim’s convenience store down the street from where he lived. Uncle Salim, the owner of the store, was an old man who could not see much without his glasses.

‘As-Salāmu ‘Alaykum, uncle Salim!’ said Ahmad. And Uncle Salim recognized Ahmad’s voice.

‘Wa ‘Alaykum Salām Dear Ahmad!’ said old uncle Salim.

‘Can I have a box of tea please?’ asked Ahmad politely. And so Uncle Salim picked a box of tea and gave it to Ahmad. ‘Here you are my dear,’ he said.

Ahmad gives him a 5-dollar bill. Old Uncle Salim took the money and returned some change to Ahmad. On the way back to home, Ahmad realized that the poor Uncle Salim had given him more change than he actually should have. He happily said, ‘Wow! Now I can buy the soccer ball without saving any more of my pocket money!’

But then he said to himself:

‘Hmm, isn’t this dishonest? Am I not cheating poor old Uncle Salim who cannot see very well without his glasses?!

But if I return the extra money, then what will happen to my soccer ball?!’

   

Ahmad was thinking about what to do. What do you guess about his decision? …

   

Ahmad began thinking how Allāh was watching him to see what he would do and remembered what his mother had once said: “Allāh [SWT] loves those who always tell the truth and are honest.”

So, He decided to be truthful and honest and he ran back to the store and returned the extra change to Uncle Salim. Ahmad realized that keeping that money would be the same as stealing, and stealing is a very bad act and great sin.

When Uncle Salim saw what Ahmad did, he was very happy. ‘May Allāh bless you, my dear son! Here, take this candy as a gift from me,’ he said.

That evening, when Ahmad’s father returned from work, Ahmad told him the whole story. His father was very, very proud of his son. Ahmad’s father took out some money from his wallet and said, ‘Dear Ahmad, take this money as a gift for being honest and truthful. Tomorrow you can go and buy a soccer ball for yourself. May Allāh bless you, my son!’

   

     

So finally Ahmad did not have to wait any longer to get his soccer ball. Because he was honest and truthful, Allāh was happy with him and his parents were happy with him. Uncle Salim was happy with him and he felt good that he did not cheat anyone!

      

 

   

Remember my dear, “We, should always tell the truth as a Shi’a!”