Before a Lamp Goes Out

Beginning: Two Friends, Two Worlds
In a quiet village, there lived two boys: Ali and Basit. They were of the same age, went to the same school, and played in the same narrow streets. But the environment in their homes, their habits, and especially their behavior toward their parents were worlds apart.

Ali was soft-hearted, respectful, and obedient from a young age. Every morning he would kiss his mother’s hands, place his father’s shoes before him, and treat his little sister with great kindness. He was punctual in prayer, diligent in studies, and always lowered his gaze in front of elders.

Basit, on the other hand, was stubborn, rude, and indifferent. He would frown the moment his mother called him, snap at his father’s advice, and often skipped schoolwork to loiter around. He considered Ali’s humility a sign of weakness and his obedience foolishness.

Realization Begins
One day, Ali’s mother fell seriously ill. A burning fever drained her strength, leaving her bedridden. Ali stopped going to school. He sat by her side day and night, gave her medicine on time, massaged her feet, and refused to eat until she did.

Basit saw him once and laughed mockingly, “You’ve become your mother’s servant? You even stopped going to school for her?”

Ali calmly replied, “If I have to leave the world to win my parents’ hearts, it’s still a cheap trade.”

Basit shrugged and walked away, unbothered.

A Father’s Fall
A few days later, Ali’s father met with an accident on his way back from work. He had fractured his leg and could no longer walk. Now Ali had to care for both his parents. He learned to cook, took his sister to school, and applied warm compresses to his father’s leg late into the night.

One evening, exhausted, he sat down and his little sister brought him a glass of water. Taking a sip, Ali whispered with tears in his eyes, “Mother tells me not to let her down. Father says to be his support. I just don’t want to lose their prayers.”

The Lamp Fades
One night, while Ali was quietly reciting the Quran beside his mother, her breathing slowed... then stopped. He called her name again and again, shook her gently, sobbed, “Ammi, please open your eyes. I’m still so small. I still need your prayers.”

But she had fallen into eternal silence. The entire house was buried in grief. Ali kissed her forehead, and for the first time in his life, cried out loud.

Basit arrived too. Seeing the scene, even he broke down. “I never appreciated my mother. Ali, you're lucky. You made your mother happy till her last breath.”

Awakening the Conscience
After Ali’s mother passed away, Basit began to change. One night, he quietly sat by his mother’s feet and massaged them. His mother looked at him in surprise. There were tears in his eyes, “Ammi, I’ve made so many mistakes… but now I want to become like Ali.”

She kissed his head and said softly, “There’s still time, my son. Love is never too late.”

The next day, Basit asked Ali, “I want to serve my parents like you, but I don’t know how. How did you learn?”

Ali replied gently, “Serving your parents comes from the heart, not from training. Just surrender yourself at their feet, and everything else will fall into place.”

A New Light
Soon, everyone in the village noticed a new Basit. He taught his younger siblings respect, brought his mother’s medicines on time, and accompanied his father to the mosque. The boy once known for mischief had now become a role model.

One day, their school teacher asked, “What’s the biggest sign of good character?”

Basit raised his hand and answered confidently, “Serving your parents and living in their prayers.”

Ali smiled at him, and in each other’s eyes, there was deep respect. Ali, who had lost his own guiding light, was now lighting up the hearts of others.

Ending: A Lamp That Ignited Many
Ali’s mother may have passed, but her nurturing, her love, and her prayers lived on through Ali. And through Ali, they reached Basit—and many other children in the village. Slowly but surely, more children began to lower their voices around elders, serve their parents with love, and realize that obedience was not a burden but a blessing.

Ali would often visit the graveyard and sit by his mother’s grave. He would whisper, “Ammi, your Ali is still the same. But now, there are many Alis blooming around me.”

And above in the sky, a star would seem to twinkle a little brighter—like a prayer still watching over him.

The Lesson:
Parents are not just responsibility; they are divine gifts. Their service is worship. Their happiness is success. And their contentment is the first step toward Paradise. When they’re with you, every burden is light. But once they’re gone, even success feels incomplete.