Page 1

Aaliyah sat on her prayer mat.

Her stomach felt very empty.

It was late in the afternoon, and the house was quiet.

“Baba,” she whispered, “I am very hungry today.”

Baba sat beside her.

“I know, Aaliyah. When we feel hunger, we remember that every bite we eat comes from Allah. Fasting teaches us patience and gratitude.”

Aaliyah looked at her hands.

She felt a little calmer as she waited.

Page 2

Later, they went to the store.

Aaliyah saw bright fruits, warm bread, and rows of drinks.

“I want this juice,” she said.

“And this cake. And this big bag of rice.”

She placed many things into the cart.

She was so hungry that she felt she could eat everything.

Baba looked at the cart.

“Do we really need all of this today?” he asked gently.

“Yes, Baba,” Aaliyah said.

“I will eat a lot at ifṭār.”

Page 3

Baba stopped near the bread shelf.

“Aaliyah,” he said, “Allah teaches us a word in the Qur’an: Isrāf.”

Aaliyah listened carefully.

“Isrāf means taking more than we need and letting it go to waste. Allah allows us to enjoy food, but He does not like wastefulness.”

Aaliyah looked at the cart.

“If we buy too much and don’t finish it,” she asked,

“is that Isrāf?”

“Yes,” Baba replied.

“Because food is a blessing, and blessings should be respected.”