Khadija Girls' School

Independence Day Celebrations at our School !

The First Day Of School

By Nisaar Y. Nadiadwala.

Quite a few years ago, I went to my son’s school to pay for his school books. He was in fifth standard. I passed by the corridor and felt the spring of the early days of the Academic year. It was June’s week. In every classroom, there were piles of news books on the teacher’s table. I walked in my son’s class and the scene was same.

Every time a name was announced, a student got up and went to the teacher and received a pile of books and he struggled to lift it while returning to his desk. Many students were standing as if their name was the next to be announced. I sat beside my son and watched the lively class. There was an air of happiness of new books.

There were two boys with their chin down on the bench watching the things going around. I noted them, they wore un ironed uniforms and were dark with eyes sunk in, hair running here and there on their face. “Why are these two guys sitting dull?” I inquired from my son. He said ” They are not getting books.” Before I ask why, my son continued,” They are the grandsons of our school maid. Their mother has died and their father got remarried, so the sons stay with their mother’s mother.”And she must also be a widow right?” I asked. “Yes and works here”.

I have known that lady in the school who sweeps, but I was unaware that her requirements of this size. As I went out, I passed by that old lady who was sitting on the corner of the stair case and there was no expression on her face. It was an embarrassed passing by as I was unable to do anything for her.

My rest of the day passed restlessly. Those were the days when I didn’t earn much. I could not even afford to spend 2000 Rupees for two orphans! I could perceive the mental state of those two boys who did not buy new books when the rest of the school was busy in celebrating “The New Book Day”. I have few close friends and relatives who bail me out whenever I need some cash to help the needy. They never ask me why . I planned to take money from one of them and pay for the boys. But I was hesitant. I find it very embarrassing to ask for monetary help from people even if it is for some needy or a just cause.

For the next few days I kept on asking my son if any miracle happened? Did someone pay for them? The answer was a big fat and a heavy NO. That was the time I regretted for not being a rich man. Otherwise I have at times walked down for two miles for not even able to afford a bus fare. Yet I never missed money. But this was a different case. What if I die and next year my son sits in that manner along with those two boys? It was a frightening thought.

Then someone paid for those two boys, and I was glad to know it. But I could understand the fun they missed out on the day when everyone received new books and they were the only two who did not.

Next week my son came home early. It was not a half day then why did he come so soon? “Someone died” my son said. “Who?”.”Those two boys in my class. They went to sea shore after the school and were drowned. One got drowned first so the other jumped in to save his brother!”

That was a thunderbolt, with more to come. Their body was fished out the next day evening and they died hugging each other.. Extremely painful. What would be the plight of that old lady ? How many more deaths is she going to experience before she herself passes away. First her husband, then her daughter and now two grand children at a time ! Innalillahi wainnailaihi raje’oon.

The old lady still continues to sweep the school and watch other children growing up before her eyes and missing her grand children who would have passed their schooling and been married by now… No wonder why Islam emphasizes a lot of virtues on upbringing of orphans and sponsoring widows !

The First Day Of School - Teens in Islam By Nisaar Y. Nadiadwala.   Quite a few years ago, I went to my son’s school to pay for his school books. He was in fifth standard. I passed by...more

"When a glass is broken, the sound of breaking disappears immediately where as the glass pieces are scattered over the ground hurting whoever walks over it.

Similarly, when you say something that hurts people emotions and feelings, the voice disappears immediately but the hearts remains in pain for long."

Therefore, don't say except good and remember always the nine advises and prohibitions that Allah Al Mighty gave us in Surath Al Hujuraat (The Sura of Islamic Manners) before you say something to anyone:

1- فتبينوا:
"Fa Tabyano": Investigate: if you received an information lest you harm people out of ignorance.

2 - فأصلحوا:
"Fa Asliho" Make settlement: between your brothers as believers are brothers.

3- وأقسطوا:
"Wa Aqsito": Act justly: whenever there is a dispute try for settlement and act justly among both parties as Allah loves who acts justly.

4 - لا يسخر:
"La Yaskhar": don't ridicule: people perhaps they may be better than you to Allah.

5 - ولا تلمزوا:
"Wa La Talmizo": Do not insult: one another.

6-ولا تنابزوا:
"Wa La Tanabazu": Do not call offensive nicknames each other.

7- اجتنبوا كثيرا من الظن:
"Ijtanibu Kaseeran min AlZan" aviod negative assumptions, indeed some of the assumptions are sin.

8 - ولا تجسسوا:
"Wa La Tajsasu" and don't spy on each other.

9- ولا يغتب بعضكم بعضا:
"Wa La Yagtab": Do not backbite each other: as its a major sin and like eating your dead brother's flesh.

Alhamdulillah, wonderful trip to the flower show. Our girls enjoyed their time out!

New board :)