children

Children: Our most valuable natural resource.

The Voice That Never Sleeps: Respecting the Call to Prayer
Respecting the Call to PrayerBY:Khan “Maryam, turn off the TV! The call to prayer has begun,” Mama’s voice came from the kitchen. “Yes, Mama, I’ll do it,” Maryam replied casually, but the TV was still on. “Didn’t you hear me? Turn it off!” Mama raised her voice a little louder this time. “I will… I just can’t find the remote,” Maryam called back, still distracted. Before Mama could step out, another commotion started. “Fatima pinched me!” little Samreen shouted. “No, she pushed me first!” Fatima argued back. The children were now fighting with each other while the sound of the adhan (the Islamic call to prayer) continued to echo in the background. Mama hurried out of the kitchen and was shocked to see the chaos. Maryam was searching for the remote, Samreen and Fatima were quarreling, and the youngest, Musa, was holding the remote tightly, insisting he wanted to watch cartoons. By the time Mama managed to calm them down, the adhan had already ended. She sighed deeply, placing her hand on her forehead. “These children don’t realize how serious this is,” she thought to herself. “When we ignore the voice of our parents, it is already sinful. But how much greater is the sin of ignoring the call of Allah?” She gathered her children together and said firmly: “Listen, my dear ones. Whenever the adhan is called, we must stop everything. All worldly work can wait. We should respond to the adhan and prepare for prayer first. Only after that should we continue with other things. Do you understand?” But the children only looked down, embarrassed. Mama sighed again and said, “I will tell your father what happened today.” --- A Father’s Lesson That evening, when Papa returned from work, Mama explained everything that had happened. Papa listened quietly and then called the children to sit with him. “My dear children,” he began gently, “do you know which voice is the most powerful and widespread in the whole world?” The children shook their heads. “It is the voice of the adhan,” Papa explained. “At every moment, somewhere on this earth, the call to prayer is being raised. From one country to another, from one mosque to the next, the chain never breaks. It is the most beautiful and continuous sound in the world.” The children’s eyes widened. Papa continued: “And do you know what happens when we respond to the adhan? Angels surround us with mercy. Allah’s blessings rain upon us. The reward for simply repeating the words after the muezzin is equal to the reward of the one who gives the adhan itself. Imagine—that much reward, just by showing respect and answering Allah’s call!” The children were listening carefully now. Papa decided to tell them a story from history. --- The Story of Queen Zubayda “Many centuries ago,” Papa began, “there was a queen named Zubayda, the wife of the great caliph Harun al-Rashid. She was known for her kindness and generosity. Do you know what she did for the pilgrims traveling to Makkah and Madinah?” The children shook their heads again. “She built a water canal stretching between the two holy cities, so that the pilgrims would never suffer from thirst. It was such a great project that it was named after her—the Canal of Zubayda.” “That must have made her very beloved by Allah,” Maryam said. “Yes,” Papa nodded. “But let me tell you what happened after her death. A righteous woman once saw Queen Zubayda in a dream and asked her, ‘How did Allah treat you after death?’ Queen Zubayda replied, ‘Allah forgave me.’ The woman then asked, ‘Was it because of the great canal you built for the pilgrims?’ But the queen answered, ‘No, it was not because of the canal. It was because of one small moment in my life. Once, I was extremely thirsty and had asked my servant for water. She brought it to me, but just as I was about to drink, the adhan began. I put the cup down and answered the call of Allah before drinking. That simple act of respect was accepted by Allah, and it became the reason for my forgiveness.’” Papa paused and looked at his children. Their faces showed awe and amazement. “Do you see, my dear ones? It was not her great project, but her respect for the adhan that saved her in the sight of Allah. This shows how much weight it carries when we stop everything to respond to the call to prayer.” --- The Children’s Promise The room was silent. The children were no longer restless. They looked at each other and then at Papa and Mama. Fatima was the first to speak: “Papa, from now on I will never ignore the adhan. I will always answer it.” “Me too,” said Maryam softly. Samreen and Musa nodded eagerly. Papa smiled and placed his hands gently on their heads. “That’s what I wanted to hear. If you respect the adhan, Allah will honor you, protect you, and shower His mercy upon you.” Mama added, “And remember, prayer is the pillar of our faith. If we honor the adhan, we will never neglect the prayer that follows.” The children promised together, “From now on, we will respect the adhan and pray on time.” That night, Mama felt a deep peace in her heart. Perhaps this time, the lesson had truly reached them. And the story is not just for Maryam, Fatima, Samreen, and Musa—it is for all of us. Whenever we hear the call to prayer, let us stop, listen, and respond. For in that simple act lies mercy, forgiveness, and eternal reward.
By Khan about a year ago in Families
When Silence Becomes Too Loud
You know what, Gene? I’ve reached my limit. I’ve been storing up small disappointments like little stones in my pockets until my jeans sag under the weight. It isn’t dramatic or loud — that’s the problem. It’s quiet, slow erosion. The kind of thing that starts as a laugh missed at breakfast and ends as a person you no longer recognize sleeping on the sofa.
By Janalamabout a year ago in Families
The Allure of Modern Escape Rooms
Beyond the Door: The Allure of Modern Escape Rooms In an age where so much of our entertainment is consumed passively, escape rooms offer something revolutionary — an experience that is active, collaborative, and deeply immersive. These real-life adventures place you at the center of the action, challenging you to solve puzzles, unlock mysteries, and experience stories as they unfold around you.
By Midny about a year ago in Families
Carepod 31S Stainless Steel Humidifier
After all, the journey to a healthy lifestyle begins with fresh air; and if one has a good humidifier, there is no better friend.
By Zachary Thibodeauabout a year ago in Families
A Silent Cry
A Silent Cry BY:Khan The delicate essence of a woman is often compared to fragility—so fragile that when she breaks, the world hears no sound. Yet in our society, she is labeled as incomplete of mind, dismissed as incapable of wisdom. How tragic, I thought, when it is often a woman’s presence that stands behind the success of every man. But is a woman’s existence only for bearing children? Is that the only reason a man seeks a wife? That evening, I had promised myself I would finally ask Nadim why he always treated me as if I lacked intelligence. Why did he never believe I could offer him good advice? Whenever life grew heavy and I tried to guide him, his reply was always the same: “What do you know? Women are born foolish.” Lost in these thoughts, I heard the familiar knock at the door. Nadim’s style of knocking was unique—I could always tell it was him. I opened the door with a soft smile. “You’re back?” I asked. “No, I’m still at the shop,” he snapped. “Why so angry, Nadim?” “You ask silly questions. Shouldn’t I be angry?” He pushed his motorcycle inside. I locked the gate and walked quietly into the kitchen. By now, I had grown used to his harsh tone. It no longer stung the way it once did, though at times it still hurt. Carrying his dinner to the bedroom, I found him surrounded by smoke—four cigarette butts already in the ashtray, a fifth between his fingers. Placing the food on the bed, I said gently, “Do you realize how harmful cigarettes are for you?” “At least I know more than you about that,” he muttered. “Yet you still don’t quit,” I sighed. “You don’t know how many worries I have.” “Is smoking really the only solution?” He glared at me. “What do you want now?” “Your sweat smells more because of these cigarettes,” I said carefully. “Oh, so now you’re saying I stink?” “You twist my words, Nadim. That’s not what I mean.” “You say nonsense, and I’m not supposed to find meaning in it?” “Why can’t you ever take my words positively?” He leaned forward, anger flashing. “Shazia, the children are grown now. I don’t like raising my hand in front of them. Don’t force me.” His words froze me. I left silently, served the children their food, and sat alone in thought. How different everything had seemed before marriage. I had so many dreams. But with Nadim, every attempt to share my feelings was dragged into the dust of old traditions. Would he ever try to understand me? The children were growing, their future needed planning, yet Nadim always fell back on excuses—“Our parents never planned for us, and we still survived.” But was mere survival enough? Evening melted into night. Nadim’s voice broke my thoughts: “Shazia, come here.” I entered the room. “What are the children doing?” he asked. “Watching television.” “Close the door.” I hesitated. “Nadim, wait. The children are older now. Such things before them… it leaves a bad impression.” His face darkened. “Why don’t you say it clearly—that you no longer want me! Stop making excuses.” “It’s not about wanting or not wanting. You are my husband; it’s your right. But please, try to understand.” “Oh, so now I don’t even care for my children?” “I never said that.” The conversation ended in anger. --- The next morning, after sending the children to school, I prepared Nadim’s breakfast. When I entered the room, he was already awake, puffing cigarette after cigarette. “Why are you destroying yourself like this? Please, smoke less,” I pleaded. “You don’t understand my troubles,” he said bitterly. “Why do you think I can’t feel your worries?” I replied. He laughed sarcastically. “If you did, you’d also be smoking by now.” “Nadim, is this really the solution? If not cigarettes, then what else?” “Then tell me. What’s your solution?” he challenged. I looked at him, weary but firm. “I warned you when you first started this business, but you never listened. If you had planned properly, if you had taken a policy for our daughter’s future, we wouldn’t be in such financial distress now. Ten years have passed since Nadiya was born. Soon another ten will vanish, and we will still be unprepared. You never take my advice seriously.” He smirked. “Do you know why? Because women are created foolish.” His words struck like a hammer. My tongue froze; silence became my shield. He left for the bathroom, and when he returned, I asked softly, “Nadim, what does it mean to have a partner in life?” He chuckled mischievously. “Didn’t I explain that last night?” And in that moment, I understood: in our world, men are taught that women are weak, but no one teaches what makes a good wife—or what it means to share life as equals. Until Nadim understood the true meaning of companionship, our lives would remain unchanged.
By Khan about a year ago in Families
Top Signs Your Child Needs a Digital Detox
Technology is everywhere in our lives. Phones, tablets, and screens make things easy and fun. But for kids, too much time on devices can be harmful. Parents need to notice when a child is crossing the line. A digital detox is not about banning screens forever. It is about giving your child a healthy balance.
By Jan Smithabout a year ago in Families
1ee Game App – A Trusted Digital Rewards Platform
Introduction In the fast-growing world of online entertainment, finding a platform that offers both fun gameplay and reliable digital rewards can be a real challenge. Many apps promise excitement but fail to deliver a smooth, secure, and rewarding experience. However, the 1ee Game app stands out as one of the most popular gaming platforms in Pakistan, offering a trusted environment for players of all backgrounds. With its diverse library of fun games, user-friendly design, and advanced security, 1ee Game ensures an unmatched digital rewards journey.
By William D. Doolittleabout a year ago in Families
Cherishing the Fleeting Moments: Reflections on Parenthood and Time
Parenthood is a journey filled with contradictions. Moments of bliss coexist with waves of exhaustion, joy with heartbreak, and pride with self-doubt. Every parent knows the feeling: one minute your child is a helpless infant, depending entirely on you for sustenance and comfort, and the next, they are expressing opinions, desires, and feelings that surprise even the most attentive parent. Time, it seems, accelerates when you are a caregiver, slipping by in ways that feel almost imperceptible until a single day crystallizes a stark awareness of change.
By ANC TRADERabout a year ago in Families
Competitive Parenting
Let's make it and olympic sport! Parenting is never easy, even on your best day as a mom; parenting will be the toughest job you will ever have. Well, at least that is the way I feel about it. I have, however, discovered since my children have gone to school, that parenting is not only hard it is also apparently a competitive sport!
By Celeste c Nicholsonabout a year ago in Families
UK Unmarried Partner Visa: Key HR Compliance Challenges
The UK’s Unmarried Partner Visa provides a pathway for individuals in genuine, long-term relationships with British citizens or settled persons to live and work in the UK. Unlike the Spouse Visa, this route requires proof of at least two years of cohabitation.
By Amir Husenabout a year ago in Families
Why Estate Planning Is About More Than Just a Will
Introduction Many people believe that writing a will is sufficient for their estate planning needs. This common misconception can leave families vulnerable to significant financial hardship and uncertainty. A Protected Property Trust, along with other estate planning tools, offers far greater security than a simple will alone. Estate planning extends well beyond deciding who receives your possessions after death – it encompasses lifetime planning, protecting assets during your years of need, and ensuring proper care for your loved ones throughout various life circumstances.
By ILAWS SCOTLANDabout a year ago in Families
What Happens If You Lose Capacity Without a Plan in Place?
Introduction Losing capacity refers to a situation where you can no longer make important decisions about your finances, property, or personal care due to illness, injury, or conditions such as dementia. This loss of mental capacity can happen suddenly through accidents or gradually through age-related conditions. When you lack the ability to understand information, remember decisions, or communicate your choices clearly, you are considered to have lost capacity under Scottish law. Having a Power of Attorney document in place before this happens is one of the most important steps you can take to protect yourself and your family from unnecessary complications and distress.
By ILAWS SCOTLANDabout a year ago in Families