A Lesson from Grandma: Why Respect Matters More Than Teasing

A Lesson from Grandma: The True Meaning of Respect

BY:Ubaid

Hamza Naeem, a young boy from Bahawalpur, returned home from school one afternoon. Instead of greeting his mother as he usually did, he rushed straight to his room without saying a word. His mother, though a little surprised, let him be.

A short while later, the doorbell rang. Hamza’s mother went to the door and asked politely, “Who is it?”

From outside came an angry voice. “Open the door! I am Shahid’s mother.”

Hamza’s mother quickly opened the door. Shahid’s mother stormed in, holding her son’s hand tightly. Her face was red with frustration.

“Where is Hamza?” she demanded. “I always thought of him as a good boy, but today he has crossed the line.”

“Please, sister,” Hamza’s mother replied softly, “calm down and tell me what happened.”

“What happened?” Shahid’s mother exclaimed. “My son may have a dark complexion, but that gives no one the right to insult him. Your son, along with some of his friends, kept calling him ‘Kalu, Kalu’—mocking him for his skin color. Shahid came home crying today. Is this the upbringing you give your child?”

Hamza’s mother was shocked. She gestured for Shahid’s mother to sit down. “Please, don’t be upset. Let me call Hamza right away.”

She raised her voice, this time filled with anger. “Hamza! Come out right now. Don’t hide. I need to talk to you.”

Hearing the tone of his mother, Hamza slowly walked into the room. At the same time, his grandmother also entered, having overheard the commotion. Shahid’s mother greeted the elderly lady respectfully and then narrated the entire incident again.

Grandmother sighed deeply. “Hamza, I never expected this from you.”

“Dadi (Grandma)!” Hamza said in his defense. “But Shahid also teases me every day.”

The grandmother placed her hand on her forehead in disappointment. “Oh dear! How did such a bad habit take root in you children? Teasing others and giving them hurtful nicknames is one of the ugliest behaviors. Whether it’s calling a tall person ‘Lambu,’ a heavy person ‘Motu,’ or a short one ‘Chhotu,’ it is still mocking God’s creation.”

Then, with wisdom in her voice, she added, “Let me tell you both a true story. After listening to it, you must decide for yourselves whether your actions were right or wrong.”

The children sat down, their eyes fixed on Grandma as she began.

“Long ago, in the early days of Islam, there was a noble companion of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) named Bilal ibn Rabah. He was a devout man, chosen as the very first muezzin—the one who calls believers to prayer. But Bilal was also a black man, of African descent.

“One day, a person insulted him cruelly, saying, ‘Oh, son of a black woman!’

“Bilal was hurt. He went to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and complained. The Prophet was deeply saddened and rebuked the man, saying, ‘I did not expect that the arrogance of the age of ignorance still lingers in your heart.’

“The man, ashamed of his behavior, was overcome with guilt. Do you know what he did next?” Grandma paused, looking at the boys.

Both Hamza and Shahid shook their heads.

“That man lay down on the ground,” Grandma continued, “placing his face on the dust. He said to Bilal, ‘By Allah, I will not lift my head until you place your foot upon my face, so that my arrogance may be crushed.’

“Bilal, reluctant at first, eventually gave in only because the man insisted repeatedly. When Bilal’s foot touched his face, the man wept, realizing the depth of his mistake. He had learned his lesson—never again to insult another human being for something they had no control over, like the color of their skin.”

Grandma leaned forward and asked gently, “Now tell me, my dear children, when you mocked each other, were you doing something good or bad?”

Hamza immediately lowered his head in shame. “Dadi, it was wrong… very wrong. Shahid, please forgive me. I promise I will never call you by such names again.”

Shahid, with tears still in his eyes but a smile beginning to form, hugged Hamza. “I forgive you, my friend. But you also forgive me. I will not tease you either from now on.”

Watching the boys embrace, Shahid’s mother’s anger melted away. She felt relief in her heart, seeing the innocence of childhood restored. Hamza’s mother, too, smiled with gratitude, thankful for her mother-in-law’s wisdom.

Grandma, with a satisfied look, placed her hands on both boys’ heads and said softly, “This is how true friends behave—by respecting one another. Remember, children, mocking or hurting others never brings honor. Real greatness lies in kindness and respect.”

The house, which had been tense just moments before, now filled with warmth. The lesson of love and humility had been learned, not just by the children, but by the elders too: that guidance, patience, and wisdom can turn conflict into compassion.

And from that day forward, Hamza and Shahid never teased each other again. Instead, they became closer friends, united not just in play, but in the understanding that respect is the foundation of true friendship.