"Dude! Hey! Shall I go to Arthur's for lunch?' Jamal said that and ran into the house.
"Did his moon invite you?" - said the bear from the hotel.
"Yes," replied Jamal, they invited Arthur and me to have lunch together.
"What are you having for lunch?" asked the bear.
"No pork, honey," replied Jamal, "they know I only eat fish, so Arthur's bear promised to cook fried fish and potatoes."
"Okay, let's go," allowed his bear.
"Hurrah," shouted Jamal and ran back to the exit door.
"I will pick you up in about an hour," said the bear, "we need to go to the store to buy some products."
Jamal ran out of the gate of the field yard. Arthur lived next door to them, only two or three yards away. And after a few minutes, Jamal was standing near the house of his acquaintance. He knocked on the door.
"Come on," Arthur suggested.
Jamal entered the kitchen. "Everything is fine, they gave me permission," he said, "I can have lunch at your place."
"Okay," said Arthur's bear.
"My mother promised to pick me up in an hour so that we can make it before the store closes," said Jamal.
"Then wash your hands in five minutes and sit down to eat," said Arthur's bear, "lunch is almost ready."
Arthur was sitting on the couch, flipping through a book. "Look at that!" - He called Jamal.
Jamal sat next to her and started watching pictures together. This book was about whales and the picture showed a ship with a giant whale next to it.
"Arthur, take the juice from the refrigerator and pour it, please," asked him.
Arthur handed the book to Jamal and stood up to pour juice himself.
After a few minutes, the children washed their hands and sat around the table.
"My child, you pour the juices, and I will fry the potatoes and fish until then," said the bear.
Arthur filled the glass with orange juice. Oyisi placed two large plates of freshly fried fish and steamed potatoes in front of them.
"Thank you," said Jamal. After that he began to eat saying "Bismillah".
"Chocolate cake for dessert," said the bear.
"Hooray," Arthur cheered. But he still continued to look at the book.
"Arthur, put the book aside until you finish eating," said the bear.
Arthur closed the book reluctantly. And the children started talking about whales.
After eating, the children put the dishes aside. That's when Arthur's bear cut the cake. And he hadn't even finished putting them on the plates when the doorbell rang. He took the toprt and went to the door. Jamal's bear was standing near the door.
"Hello Mary, come in, please," said Arthur's bear, "sit at the table, we were just starting dessert," he offered. "Maybe I'll have potatoes and fish before that?" he added.
"No, no thanks, Nadya," answered Jamal's bear, I just had lunch. I just came a little earlier to give you the books and magazines you asked for, and to explain things you didn't understand."
Arthur's bear was a widow. They had recently moved to this region with their son. And after getting to know Jamal's mother and other neighbors who are mainly Muslims, her mother became interested in Islam and asked her to give him a book for beginners to study.
"Oh, yes, thank you," said Arthur's bear, "wait a minute, I'll pour tea for the children now."
He placed a cut cake and a cup of tea in front of the children.
Jamal raised the spoon and said "Bismillah" and started eating the cake.
"What is this?" Arthur asked.
"What are you asking?" - Jamal did not understand.
"I'm talking about this secret word you always say before you eat," Arthur explained.
"Yes, it's understandable," said Jamal. He thought for a few seconds. "It means 'now I can eat' in Arabic," he said and continued eating the cake.
After finishing the dessert, Jamal hesitated to thank Arthur's bear for the lunch. A few minutes later he was sitting in the car.
"I heard what you said to Arthur," said the bear, laughing, "do you think 'Bismillah' means 'now I can eat'?"
"Sure," said Jamal, "we always say that before eating."
"But that's what I say every time I get into the car," said the bear.
"Yes, that's right," thought Jamal. Now he was not sure that the translation of these words was correct.
"What do you think Alhamdulillah means?" - the bear continued.
"Well, it's very simple," replied Jamal quickly, which means "good, fine."
The bear shook his head unsatisfied. "I wonder, do you know the meaning of the word "Astog'furilloh"?"
"I think I know," he said now more uncertainly. Judging by the changes in her face, her answers didn't seem to be that accurate. "I think it means 'sorry.' No, no, it means "bad boy".
Oyisi took a deep breath and thought. Then he remembered something and laughed.
"You're totally wrong," she said, smiling at her child, "I think you need a little help with your Arabic." But it's not your fault. It's better to talk about it at home."
That night, the moon turned to Jamal's father.
"We need to explain to him what these words mean," he said, otherwise he will use these words, but he will not know their meaning. For example, Jamal translated "Astog'furilloh" as "bad boy".
His father laughed. "It's our fault," he said. "After all, when Jamal behaves badly, we always say ``Astog'furilloh.'' This is our mistake. I will try to explain to him now.'
His father went out looking for Jamal. He went out to the yard without finding him in the children's house. Jamal was flying on a tightrope.
"Dad, let me fly," Jamal said when he saw his father.
"With my life," said his father. He came to the rope and began to let go. But before that he said "Bismillah".
Arghamchi flew high.
"Wow!" Jamal shouted with satisfaction.
"My son, do you know why I said "Bismillah" now?" - asked his father.
"That's what we always say before we start something," said Jamal.
"Right," said his father, "then you must know that this word does not mean 'I can eat,' right?"
"Of course. It means 'I am beginning'.
"No, my dear," said his father, which means "in the name of God." We Muslims say this before doing anything, whether it's just flipping through a book or gargling. And the saying of this word gives Allah's mercy and substitute."
"I think I knew it, I just forgot," Jamal tried to justify himself.
"Maybe," said his father. But now you should know the value of "Bismillah" and know that you are doing something "in the name of Allah" and not just saying it.
Saying this, the father continued to send his son away. At the same time, he asked his son again, what do you say if you break something?
"Astag'furillah" - answered his son.
"What does this word mean?"
"I think 'sorry' or something like that," Jamal replied.
"Almost right," said his father. It means "Allah, forgive me". This word is said when you do something wrong, when you make a mistake.
"Sure, I knew it!" Jamal shouted.
"And that doesn't really mean 'bad boy,' does it?"
"No," replied Jamal. But sometimes you and my mother use the word in such a way that I got confused.
"I know, I know," said his father, "this is our mistake, and from today you will remind us if we make another mistake, are we here?"
It was something different. So, parents can also be mistaken. And my father is asking to fix us... Jamal liked his father's idea.
"Of course, father," answered his son.
His father laughed. "What do they say when they hear the right answer?"
"Alhamdulillah" Jamal answered without waiting.
“That's right. What does that mean?”
Jamal thought. He really wanted to make no mistake this time. It grew so much that the rope stopped flying. "I remembered, I remembered," shouted Jamal happily. "This word means "All praise be to God".
"Alhamdulillah!", his father was happy, that's right!"
"Also, we answer this word as ``Alhamdulillah'' when asked, ``how are you, how are you doing, how are you doing, is your health and other similar questions,'' and should be answered like that."
By this time, the ropers stopped. His father smiled mysteriously at Jamal.
"Do you know what I have to offer you?" - began his father.
"What?" asked Jamal.
"Come, if we use the wrong words in an unnecessary situation, you will remind us, and we will remind you. How about it?"
"It will be," replied Jamal, now feeling like an adult. If not, he can now help his parents. And together they will help him not to make mistakes in the future.
The father put his hand on his son's shoulder. "Now we went home, it's time for evening prayer," said his father, this is a reminder, isn't it, Jamal laughed.
"Yes. This is also a note in its own meaning" - answered his father.
They entered the house.
After the family evening prayer, they sat around the table to eat dinner. On the way to the kitchen, his father asked Jamal something important. He asked Jamal to say "Bismillah" before eating and recite a special prayer he wrote down on a piece of paper.
Everyone sat around the table. And when all the food was finished, Jamal said "Bismillah" and after Jamal they all repeated the supplication before eating:
"Allahumma baarik lana fi ma razaqtana wa qina azaban - naar."
Jamal thought the food was more delicious that night.
Jamal's jam
Once Jamal came home from school. He was very hungry.
"Hello," he said to his moon.
"Hello," he replied, "how are things at school?"
"Everything is fine, alhamdulillah," replied Jamal. "I'm hungry, I want to eat something."
"Okay," said his mother, "sit at the table."
Just then the phone rang. Jamal's bear picked up the phone and started talking.
At that time, Jamal's older brother Mohammad came to the kitchen.
"I'm waiting for something to eat," he said.
"Can you make me something too?" Jamal asked him.
"Okay," said Muhammad, "whatever you want, I personally eat milk and bread with butter."
"I also want to eat jam," said Jamal.
Muhammad put bread, milk and butter on the table. He looked at all the shelves, but could not find jam. At that moment, their sister Fatima came.
"I want something to eat too," he said as he sat down around the table.
"We plan to drink milk with butter bread," said Mohammed.
"Oh jam too," added Jamal.
"But I couldn't find any jam," Muhammad gestured with his hand.
"I want jam," insisted Jamal.
Muhammad shook his head.
"Milk and bread with butter is enough for me," said Fatima.
Muhammad put 3 pieces of bread on a plate, spread oil on them and put 3 glasses of milk on the table and sat down to eat.
He and Fatima started eating saying "Bismillah".
Jamal did not eat. He wanted jam stubbornly and didn't want to eat anything else.
At this time, their mother finished talking on the phone and approached the table and said, "My dears, after eating, start doing your lessons."
Muhammad and Fatima ate and left. Jamal did not touch the food. He kept staring at his plate.
"I want to eat jam!" he repeated.
Jamal's mother looked at her son and laughed. "But we don't have any jam," he said, "I know you like jam, but right now we don't have any." Say "Bismillah" and start eating.
"I know where the jam is," said Jamal.
"Are you talking about him, said Jamal's bear, this jam is a special gift for your grandmother, this is the last jar."
He strokes his son's head lovingly, "now say Bismillah and start eating."
Jamal did not want to eat. He wanted jam, but the jam was for his grandmother.
Jamal sat and stared at the plate. Then he thought, grandmother will not mind. They will be glad that they were the opposite. That's why it's okay if I take less, no one will notice.
Jamal looked in the direction of the jam.
He thought again. Isn't that theft? No, I don't think so. I only get a little, no one knows.
Then he got up and placed the chair near the kitchen cupboard. He went up to her and handed her a jar.
Jamal felt bad while doing this.
There is nothing to be afraid of, he calmed down, no one knows.
Jamal opened the jar, dipped his hand in the jam and licked it. Mm.. how delicious. Now he would not listen to his conscience.
He took the knife and applied it to his bread. Jamal loves jam so much! He had forgotten that he would even take a little. Then he looked at the jar and was sad: ehh, I took too much!
He tried to pour some of the jam from the sandwich back into the jar.
Now the oil is mixed in the jar. As if that wasn't enough, the jam was now in his hand and even around the jar and on the table.
"Jamal, what have you done?"
His mother was standing at the door looking at her son.
Jamal looked at his hand and cried.
"You are a child without ears," said his bear. After all, you knew it wasn't yours. Now quickly wash your hands and go to your room."
Jamal ran to his room.
She lay in bed and cried.. At first she was sad, then angry, now she was scared.
At that moment, his father came to his room. "You didn't do well," he said, "you took something that didn't belong to you."
Jamal did not answer. He looked at the ground in embarrassment.
"There is a name for this deed of yours," said his father, "you know what it is called..."
Jamal cried again. He didn't say anything even then. After that, he said, "I just wanted to eat jam." Just a little. Then I was going to put the jar back in place and no one would know. "Dad, I didn't know it was a robbery," he muttered.
"It's okay," said the father to his son.
Jamal was still crying. Yes, now you will be upset with my mother and me. And my grandmother will not agree with me either. After that, Jamal's eyes were opened: And Allah will not be pleased with this work, added Jamal.
"Don't worry, his father reassured him. We will try to fix it.''
"How?" asked Jamal.
"First of all, you should ask for forgiveness from those you hurt. Then you repent to God. And after that, you will never do it again."
Jamal liked the idea but was still scared. "What if I forget and do it again?" he asked.
"I think I'll help you remember this story," his father hoped.
"Tell me, who will give us food?" he asked.
"Allah," replied Jamal.
"Who will send us the rain so that the fruits ripen?"
"Allah," replied Jamal.
"Who is watching us all the time?" Who knows what we are doing wherever we are?''
"Allah," Jamal answered even lower. Now he felt bad. He knew that God saw him getting jam.
"If we think about God, we will never do bad things," said his father. If we always say that God sees me, we will not commit a sin. Now go wash up and then go downstairs. I have a present for you.'
Jamal thought while washing. And why is my father giving me a present?
Jamal went down. His parents were waiting for him there.
"Forgive me, my dear," said Jamal. "Forgive me, father."
Jamal's father smiled and brought a jar of jam.
"Take it," he said to his son, "this is a gift for you."
Jamal looked at his father.
"Olaver," said his father, "it's yours now." Now you can eat as much of it as you want, on one condition, he added. you must eat this jam out of sight. Eat as much as you want so that no one sees you.'
Jamal first looked at the jam, then at his father.
"Go," said his father, "and eat it where no one can see."
Jamal went to the hotel. There, Jamal's moon was busy with knitting.
This is the wrong place, Jamal thought. They will see.
Jamal left there and went to his room. He was about to open the jar when Muhammad entered.
Another place where it doesn't fit. Muhammad will see me, thought Jamal and went to Fatima's room. However, her sister was doing her Arabic homework there. He sensed his brother coming.
"O Jamal, can I have a minute?" he called his brother. Do you know how to endure in Arabic?"
"Of course I know," said Jamal, "tolerance is called sabr in Arabic."
"Thank you," said Fatima. Although their mother tongue was English, they sometimes spoke in Arabic, especially when learning a new word.
"Afuan, sleep," answered Jamal.
"Jamal, why are you walking around the house with a jar of jam?"
Jamal told him that his father gave him and told him to eat it where no one would see.
Fatima laughed and said "whatever I said, good luck to you Jamal".
To Jamal's surprise, he didn't ask to share the jam, because he loved it too.
"Yes, yes," said Jamal, "isn't it so difficult to find such a place?"
Then Jamal went to his father's room. He quietly closed the door so as not to disturb his father reading tafsir.
Then he thought again, where should I go?
“Ohh, I have an idea!” she said and went into the bathroom.
Jamal closed the door, sat on the edge of the bathtub and began to open the jar.
Here he heard the chirping of birds. He looked out the window. A bird was sitting on a tree branch.
"Oh no, Jamal sighed, the bird can see me."
Jamal was trying to think of something. I think you have to go down.
Jamal went down the stairs to the children's room. Now he was alone. No one sees me, he said, sitting on the floor. Yes, he was alone.
By chance he heard a voice. "Meow", it was their cat.
"What are you doing here?" said Jamal.
"Meow," the cat said again.
"Well, where should I go now?", Jamal's mood was broken.
Suddenly his face brightened.
"I know where to go!", he was happy and went to the dark room under the stairs where his parents kept some things.
Jamal entered there and closed the door.
In this situation, this place was the best place. The room was very dark.
Jamal took the said jar. He couldn't even see her in such darkness.
"No one can see me, it's completely dark here," he thought, opening the mouth of the jar, "not even my parents, and not even our cat can see me here." No one can see me in the dark.”
Then Jamal began to think.
"But someone sees me even in such darkness, he suddenly thought, yes, God sees me even if I hide better. And he can see everything I do!”
Jamal closed the mouth of the jar again. And finally he understood why his sister laughed. And now he firmly understood that he would never be able to eat this jam out of sight! Allah sees him whenever and wherever.
Jamal went back to the kitchen and handed the jar to his father and said, "I can't eat this jam."
"But why," smiles his father.
"Because God can see me wherever he wants," answered his son.
Jamal's father was very happy to hear such an answer. He approached jJamal and kissed his cheek.
"Now you have learned something very important. And this, InshaAllah, will protect you from sinful deeds," said Jamal's father.
"Yes, said Jamal's bear, my son, now you will go to the store with me and we will buy one jam for your grandmother and one for you."
"Hurrah!, Jamal was happy, now I can eat this new jam."
Now he was very happy, "what a word, this jam will be specially for me and I can eat it in front of God!"
