Hisham, what makes Ramadan so special?

One sunny afternoon, Ayah looked up at Hisham with big, curious eyes and asked, 'Hisham, what makes Ramadan so special?' Hisham smiled, knowing this was a perfect moment to teach Ayah about their culture. 'Well, Ayah, let me show you through a little adventure,' he replied. He promised to explain using four special items: a calculator, a prayer mat, a Quran, and his piggy bank. Ayah's eyes widened with excitement. 'An adventure? Really?' she exclaimed. Hisham nodded, 'Yes, an adventure around our home.' And so, their journey to discover the essence of Ramadan began.

Hisham led Ayah to his desk where a calculator lay. 'Ramadan teaches us about patience and precision, much like using this calculator,' he explained. 'Just as we carefully press each button to get the right answer, we also carefully follow the timings for fasting.' Ayah pressed a button, intrigued. 'So, it's like a big puzzle?' she asked. 'Exactly,' Hisham smiled. 'And solving it makes us better at understanding and patience.' Ayah nodded, eager to learn more.

Next, Hisham showed Ayah a colorful prayer mat. 'This mat represents our connection to God during Ramadan,' he said. 'We use it to pray and reflect on our actions.' Ayah touched the soft fabric, looking thoughtful. 'It's like a magic carpet that takes our prayers to God,' she remarked. Hisham laughed, 'Yes, you could say that. It reminds us to be grateful and seek forgiveness.' Ayah smiled, understanding the mat's importance.

Then, Hisham brought out a small, but beautifully decorated Quran. 'During Ramadan, we read the Quran to get closer to God's words,' he told Ayah. 'It's a time for learning and growing.' Ayah listened as Hisham read a few lines, her eyes filled with wonder. 'The stories and lessons make us better people,' Hisham said. Ayah nodded, 'It's like the best storybook ever.' Hisham agreed, 'Yes, and it guides us throughout our lives.'

Finally, Hisham showed Ayah his piggy bank, now heavier than usual. 'Ramadan is also about giving and helping others,' he explained. 'I save money here to donate to those in need.' Ayah looked at the piggy bank with new respect. 'So, we can make people happy by sharing?' she asked. 'Exactly,' Hisham replied. 'Sharing brings joy not just to others, but to us as well.' Ayah beamed, inspired by the idea of sharing.

After exploring the four items, Ayah felt she understood Ramadan better. 'So, Ramadan is about patience, prayer, learning, and sharing,' she summarized. Hisham nodded, proud of her understanding. 'Yes, and all these things bring us closer to God and to each other,' he added. Ayah hugged Hisham, 'Thank you for showing me what makes Ramadan special.' Hisham hugged her back, 'I'm glad I could share it with you.' Together, they looked forward to the coming days of Ramadan.

With Ramadan approaching, Hisham and Ayah helped their family prepare. They cleaned the house, set up decorations, and even helped cook special meals. Ayah remembered everything Hisham taught her. 'Look, Hisham, I'm using patience like with the calculator,' she said while carefully placing dates on a plate. Hisham smiled, 'And I'm sharing like with the piggy bank,' he said, donating some of his saved money. Their parents smiled, happy to see their children embracing the spirit of Ramadan.

As the first day of Ramadan dawned, Hisham and Ayah were ready. They woke up early for the pre-dawn meal, prayed on their mats, and read from the Quran together. Throughout the day, they remembered to be patient and kind. When it was time to break their fast, they shared their food with those in need, just like Hisham's piggy bank taught them. Sitting with their family, Ayah whispered to Hisham, 'Now I really know why Ramadan is so special.' Hisham smiled, 'And it's even more special sharing it with you.'