Mahmud was writing the following essay:
My name is Mahmud. I have two sisters, Zainab and Fatimah. They both go to school. In all, there are six of us in our family, and we have divided the household chores between us. Father does the shopping and the other jobs outside the house. I help my father. I buy bread, milk, vegetables and fruits.
My sisters help mother with the housework and they keep the house clean and tidy. Fatima does some chores and Zainab does others.
In our house, we all have special jobs to do. We all know our duties and carry them out, and it is not very often that we have to be reminded. In these chores, we all help one another. Only my little younger brother, Reza, doesn’t have a job to do, and he is only ten months old. My mother says that Reza’s only jobs are crying, drinking milk, sleeping and laughing. She says that we will find a job for him when he is older.
My father believes that each member of the family must accept some chore and do it regularly because housework is a way of learning through experience. He believes that a person who
doesn’t work doesn’t learn anything.
My father tells us that the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) has said:
“Allah doesn’t like the people who put their responsibilities on the shoulders of others, and will not let share His loving kindness. A good Muslim is the one who is helpful around the house.”
Besides doing our own tasks, we also help one another. One day I came home and found that my father was sweeping the courtyard with a broom. “Father!” I asked: “Why are you sweeping?” My father replied: “Do you not see that your mother is very busy? We must help her. We are the followers of Imam Ali (a.s.) and we must follow him. Imam Ali (a.s.) always used to help his wife in the household work and sometimes he used to sweep the house too.”
Really, I can honestly say that we never have any arguments in our house. If ever I have a disagreement with my sisters, we either settle it with smiles or we take the matter to my mother or we wait until father comes home and one of them always settles it for us. When my father comes home from work, he sits down and talks to us about our lessons. He looks at our school books and guides us.
Later, when we are all free, we go to the little library we have and we study the books that father has bought for us. Father studies one of his books and even little Reza goes with us to the library, but instead of reading a book, sometimes he tears the book that mother is reading. I thank Allah that I have such good parents and sisters, and I try my best to do what is expected of me and help
more in the household chores.
Mahmud handed over the essay to his English teacher. When he got it back, the teacher had written: “Mahmud! You have written clearly and well. This is the best essay and you have received top marks. I enjoyed reading your essay and I thank the Almighty Allah that I have such a good student. You too must be grateful to the Almighty Allah that you have such understanding parents. How good it would be if all families helped one another and worked together the way you all do, and if all boys were friendly and helpful the way you are. Well done!”
Questions:
- What has the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) told us abut working and helping around the house?
- What has he said about putting our responsibilities on the shoulders of others?
- Do you give more help to others or are you helped more by them?
- Do you have quarrels with your brothers and sisters? How are they settled?
- Does your family share the household chores? What is your job?
- Do you have a library in your house? Who provided the books?
7. What did the teacher write regarding Mahmud’s essay? Why did he tell him to be grateful to the Almighty Allah?
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