Husband of a woman died leaving behind a three-year-old son. Leading life of widow for few months, he entered in marriage with another person and also took the minor child to house of new husband.
The women’s new husband was a wealthy person, so he did not mind having his son with them. At first, he even played with the child and considered him like his own.
However, year later, the couple had a new son and now love and attention started to change. He began to shy away from his stepson and did not treat him as earlier. All his attention was now on his real son. One day when he returned from work, he brought a new bicycle for his son. The mother’s heart was broken when she saw her orphaned son looking longingly at his younger brother.
The mother requested her husband to buy a bicycle for his stepson as well, but the husband refused and said that he was not responsible for the child. If the mother spoke about it again, he would throw the child out of the house. The mother agreed to this for the safety of her son.
Time passed and both children grew up. The husband got his real son admitted to a good private school, but did nothing for his step-son. He said that he was not his father, so why should he spend his money on him? He said that this boy would neither take his name nor of any use to him.
The mother replied angrily: “Of course, he may not be your flesh and blood, but that does not mean that you should deprive him of education and leave him in the darkness of ignorance. Don’t you have any mercy or compassion in your heart?” The husband said: “Its enough now, I will no more bear his presence in my house.”
The boy came to his mother having tears in his eyes and said to her: “Mom, don’t worry, there is nothing for you to cry about. I am tired of seeing you endure this man’s insults every day for my sake. For your happiness, I will leave this house.”
The boy took his clothes, other possession and left the house. The mother’s heart started burning like fire. Questions started arising in her mind as to where her son would go? Where would he live? From where he would eat? And if he fell ill, who would take care of him?
The mother raised her hands before the Creator and prayed: “O Allah! I entrust my orphan son to you, protect him and bring him back safe and sound.”
When the husband returned, he saw that his wife looked happy and content. He was surprised that her son had left home and yet why was the wife happy? He asked: “Why are you happy and not sad about your son’s departure?”
The wife smiled and said: “I have entrusted the protection of my son to the one who is capable of taking care of and protecting him, the one who never tires and never despairs, and who can do everything without any reward.”
The husband asked in surprise: “Who is he?” The wife said: “Allah Almighty.”
With a mocking laugh, the husband said: “The world outside is not as merciful as you think. It doesn’t feel sorry for the hungry and it seems you have lost your mind.” The time went passing on and after few years, the youth visited mother with child in arms and a woman.
He greeted his mother and the lady questioned in surprise and joy: “Who is this woman and whose child is this?” The son replied: “This is my wife and this is my son, O mother!” The mother asked: “How did you get all this, when you had no money and no shelter?”
The son informed his mother about entire story. “It is true that after leaving the house of step-father, I myself do not know where life has taken me. I was helpless and did not know where to go. Then I reached a mosque in a small village and spent the night there. I would look for work during the day and sleep in the mosque at night. I took the prayer of the mosque in confidence and sought permission from him to sleep in the mosque. The prayer leader (imam) was a kind man and he served me food daily. I used to clean the mosque in the evening and the imam made me memorize the Quran (Hafiz e Quran) and taught me religious books. I used to study in the mosque library every day. One day the imam fell ill, so I led the people in prayer, and from that day on I became the imam of the people. People started liking me and loving me. They arranged my wedding with an orphan girl, who only had her grandmother. I got married and shortly after her grandmother passed away. The wife got a piece of land from her grandmother’s inheritance, which I cultivated and things improved, thank God. Now, by the grace of God, I have a lot of agricultural land, And Allah has blessed me with His grace. I always felt that your prayers were with me, and Allah helped me because of you.” The mother cried with joy and knew that Allah had answered her prayers. She hugged her grandson and the son kissed his mother’s hands. But the husband was not sure that one day the boy would return as a successful and wealthy person.
This orphan child was blessed thanks to his mother’s prayers and consent.
Oh Man, do remember that Allah is the Provider and He grants unlimited blessings to whomever He wills.
