Miss Nida was explaining something important, but Iram felt too sleepy to follow the lecture closely. She rubbed her eyes and changed her posture, sitting up straighter. She hoped it would help her remain attentive.

“So when atoms of different elements join together, they form a compound and then...”

It was no use. Iram could feel her concentration ebbing away. She couldn’t understand why. She was a diligent student who worked hard and paid attention in class. Then why couldn’t she focus on Miss Nida’s lecture?

Her throat felt dry and parched. It almost hurt to swallow. “I’m just thirsty.” She thought.

Iram raised her hand. “Ma’am, may I go get some water?”

“Sure, Iram!”

Irma stood up and hurried out of the classroom. She walked to the end of the corridor where the water cooler was placed. She didn’t know why she felt so thirsty. Something nagged at the back of her mind, but she couldn’t figure it out, so she pushed it away.

She took a big swig of the cold water gratefully. It felt delicious! She filled the glass to the brim and sat down on the bench nearby, gulping the water as if her life depended on it.

“Calm down,” she told herself sternly. She filled another glass, but this time drank the water more slowly. Wiping her mouth, Iram made her way back to the classroom. She felt much better now.

“Water is a miraculous drink,” she thought. “Doesn’t taste or smell, and yet it’s so refreshing. How amazing!”

She wondered why her mother hadn’t packed her water bottle today. Something wasn’t quite right. She frowned, trying to remember. Her mother had woken her up early morning and she was … fasting!

Iram gasped. It all came rushing back. It was the holy month of Ramazan, the first day, and upon her insistence, her parents had let her fast. She had awakened before dawn to the alarm sounded off by the mosque, and had consumed a huge sehri. She had said her morning prayers. But now she had ruined everything! Heartbroken, she returned to the classroom, fighting back tears.

When she reached home, she went straight to bed. She told her parents she was tired and wanted to rest. But her father saw the miserable expression on his daughter’s face and he sensed something was bothering her.

After knocking on Iram’s door, her father entered. Iram was lying on the bed, staring up at the ceiling sadly.

“Assalam-u-alikum. How’s my darling doing? Fasting is tough, huh? Teaches patience right, doesn’t it?” he said.

“Walaikum-us-salam. I’m fine, just tired,” she replied, her eyes gleaming with unshed tears.

Her father sat down next to her on the bed and stroked her hair gently. His warm smile and kind touch pushed Iram over the edge. She burst into tears.

“There, there,” he patted her on the shoulder. “Now sit up and tell me what the matter is. Maybe I can help.”

“Nobody can help me! Dad, I forgot I was fasting and drank water,” Iram sobbed. “My fast won’t count now. I’m a failure!”

“Oh, no, my dear! All is not lost yet,” her father said gently. “You’re only a child and you didn’t intentionally drink the water, you merely forgot. Of course, your fast will count! God is Great and Merciful. Think of it as a little treat from Almighty Allah! You’re only 11 and you were staying away from food and water. God must have loved that about you.

“He’s Benevolent and Compassionate. He understood your thirst. But He also knew you would never drink the water while fasting, so He made you forget and treated you to a glass of water. Now tell me. When you drank the water, did you appreciate it? Did you marvel at its unique ability to freshen you up in no time?”

Iram nodded, wide-eyed. He continued, “My child, that’s the purpose of fasting! To make us thankful for the endless blessings that Allah has showered down upon us. To teach us gratitude. To evoke sympathy for those who do not have everything we have.

“Through fasting, we understand the pain of those who do not possess the luxury of clean drinking water or a table laden with delicious food. Fasting makes us more sensitive to the hardships of others. It teaches us to share our joy and blessings with the less fortunate. Focus on the big picture, my dear, and consider your slip-up as a gift from your Lord!”

Iram jumped up with relief. She understood the true purpose of her fast now. Hugging her father, she resolved that she would always help the less privileged.

“Thank you for everything, Allah!” she whispered, smiling happily.

Published in Dawn, Young World, July 23rd, 2016