For children, - Charity Story: Charity to own relatives first

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A woman lost her husband through death. She decided to give charity on his behalf. One Friday night she prepared some food and sent her son to give it to a poor man who lived near her house. While sending the food the dead man's son felt very hungry but he controlled himself and after having given the charity, he returned home hungry and went to bed. The next Friday the same sequence of events took place. On the third Friday, the orphan while sending the food to the poor, could not control himself and ate the food on the way. That night the widow of the dead man dreamt her husband who told her that: "That night was the first night whence he received the reward of the charity she had given, while the charities she had given before had not reached him." The widow got up and doubting that her son had committed a blunder went to investigate the matter. Her little orphan said that contrary to her suspicion he had sent the charity the two Friday's to the poor man, and it was on the third Friday that he had eaten the food. It was then that the widow understood that her son deserved the food more than the poor neighbor. Thus we need to give charity to our near kith and kin before we look further. Almighty Allah (SWT) says in the Noble Qur'an: "But he would not attempt the uphill road, and what will make you comprehend what the uphill road is? (It is) the setting free of a slave, or the giving of food in a day of hunger. To an orphan, having relationship, or to the poor man lying in the dust." (90:11-16) Prophet Muhammad (S) also said: "Charity given to a relative it serves a double purpose, being both charity and a connecting link." (Tirmidhi)

- PUBLISHERNajimudeeN M