“THERE now, just a couple of months and the wait will be over!” Ali thought happily to himself after counting the money. Ali, an eleven-year-old boy was saving up his pocket money to buy a PlayStation Portable 3 (PSP 3000). Although a Play Station Portable 4 (PS VITA) was what he wanted, it was out of his budget and he couldn’t wait that long now, could he?

“A PSP 3000 is good enough, plus it will take me a year more if I wait for PS VITA,” he thought sadly.

His parents had taught him the importance of saving so he was saving something out of his pocket money every month. Of course, this was not enough and he was also relying on his birthday gift-money which would arrive in three months.

One day, Ali was researching on internet what games he should buy for his PSP 3000. At that moment, he heard his mum and his maid talking. Ali’s list of games was almost complete, so he went out to see what they were talking about. Without letting his mother see him, Ali listened to a bit of her conversation. Apparently, the maid was short on cash and couldn’t pay her daughter’s school fees.

“Baji, can you loan me some cash right now? I will return it in two-three months. Things are very tough right now,” she requested.

To this, Ali’s mother said she will give whatever was within her budget at the moment and will talk to other relatives if more cash could be arranged.

Hearing this, Ali went to his room and started thinking. ‘I have some money but if I give this money to the maid then my savings would be reduced!’ thought Ali. He, after all, very dearly wanted his PSP 3000, but then he thought about the maid. The maid that made food for them cleaned their house and took care of them. After all that, could he not do a single favour for her?

Ali was troubled by this the whole day. He decided to do some research on donations on internet and came across Zakat and its benefits. He had heard the term Zakat and charity being mentioned a number of times but he was not aware of the benefits. He read Prophet Muhammad’s (P.B.U.H.) sayings and also read that whatever is given in terms of charity is returned with much more blessings in material and non-material terms. That night he went to bed and had a great debate with himself. After an half an hour of hard thinking, Ali decided that the maid’s daughter’s education was more important than his PSP 3000.

The next morning he woke up, took out a part of his savings and gave it to his mother. His mother was shocked and asked what it was for? Ali told her that he overheard the maid and his mother talking and decided to help the maid.

His mother was still a bit shocked and asked Ali if he was sure, because she knew that he had been saving desperately for a PSP 3000. Ali said yes he knew what he was doing and gave her the money.

His mother later gave it to the maid and told Ali that the maid was extremely thankful and said that she would pray for Ali and his family. Ali was happy but also a bit sad when he thought about his much-awaited PSP 3000. He now had to wait twice as long to buy it!

Three months passed by and Ali had started saving again. Finally it was his birthday! It was more exciting now because his favourite aunt and cousins had also arrived from the US two days before his birthday. His parents arranged a small party for Ali, his friends and cousins. After cutting the cake and dinner, it was now time to open the presents. Ali opened all of his presents. There was a car toy, a new shirt and few other gifts. He had also received some gift-money which was surprisingly more than he had predicted!

Then Ali’s aunt handed him a gift. Ali was greatly curious and tore open the wrapping. The words that he saw on the box made him yell with excitement. It was PS VITA! That too, complete with a set of games! Ali yelled and hugged his aunt and cousins. With a PS VITA and a lot of savings to spare, this was one of the happiest days in Ali’s life.

Ali realised that he owed this happiness to the charity he gave and was happy with his decision. He realised that whenever a person gives something with the intent to help others for the sake of Allah, Allah will make sure that he is rewarded greatly.