Shahid and the Poisoned Breakfast

Shahid and the Poisoned Breakfast

BY: Ubaid

Life on earth is filled with countless blessings bestowed upon us by Allah Almighty. The purpose of these blessings is not only that human beings may enjoy them but also that they may express gratitude to their Creator. Every blessing, whether small or great, carries within it a reminder of Allah’s mercy and power.

Among those who cherished such blessings was a boy named Shahid, a lively and thoughtful youngster about fifteen years of age. Like most children of his age, Shahid was fond of food and often wished to taste the seasonal fruits and dishes that came with summer and winter. He believed that eating fresh and healthy food would make him stronger and allow him to focus more on his education. Shahid was not only curious but also diligent, and he always tried to balance his health with his studies.

One morning, however, an unusual incident occurred that changed the way Shahid looked at life forever.

It was a bright day, and Shahid woke up early, as usual, to get ready for school. His uniform was already ironed and laid out neatly. After taking a shower, he dressed in his crisp school uniform and combed his hair. Now only one thing remained before leaving for school—breakfast.

Shahid’s mother had prepared a delicious meal for him. The aroma filled the dining area, and as soon as Shahid sat down at the table, his mouth watered. He felt his hunger grow stronger and thanked Allah for the beautiful food in front of him. Picking up his spoon, he was just about to take the very first bite when something unexpected happened.

From nowhere, his pet cat leapt onto the table. This was not just any ordinary cat—it had been with Shahid for a long time, and he loved it dearly. He often carried it in his arms, stroked its fur, and even spoke to it as if it were a close friend. The bond between Shahid and his pet was strong. Yet that morning, the cat’s behavior surprised him. With unusual greed, it began devouring the breakfast laid out on the table. Within moments, most of the food had disappeared.

At first, Shahid felt annoyed, but soon his concern turned into shock. The cat, after eating ravenously, suddenly staggered and collapsed. Its breathing slowed, and within minutes, it was dead.

Shahid froze. He could not believe what had just happened. His beloved cat, which had been healthy and playful only a few moments ago, now lay lifeless on the floor. Then, to make matters worse, Shahid himself felt a sharp pain in his stomach. He had taken only a single bite of the breakfast before the cat had attacked it, yet his body was reacting strangely. Nausea overcame him, and his head spun.

“Abu!” Shahid cried, his voice trembling. “Please take me to the doctor quickly! Something is wrong.”

His father, alarmed by his son’s pale face and weakened state, wasted no time. “Come, my son,” he said firmly, helping Shahid into the car. Driving as fast as he could, Shahid’s father prayed silently that nothing terrible would happen. The sight of the dead cat had already made him fear the worst.

They reached the doctor’s clinic in haste. The doctor, sensing the urgency, immediately examined Shahid. After checking his heartbeat, eyes, and pulse, he asked what had happened. Shahid’s father explained in detail:

“Doctor sahib, as soon as Shahid took his first bite of breakfast, he felt unwell. But our cat, which ate almost all of it, died instantly. We think perhaps something poisonous was in the food—or maybe the cat’s mouth already had some poison in it that mixed with the food. Whatever the case, Shahid is now feeling ill.”

The doctor’s face grew serious. He quickly administered medicine to neutralize the poison and gave Shahid water to flush out the toxins. After a tense few minutes, Shahid began to feel slightly better. The doctor then turned to his father and said in a grave tone:

“Allah has been merciful to you today. If you had delayed bringing him here, the poison could have spread further, and Shahid’s life would have been in great danger. The cat’s sudden death was a warning sign, but thanks to your quick decision, we were able to save your son.”

Shahid’s father let out a deep breath of relief. He thanked the doctor and, above all, he thanked Allah for sparing his son’s life. Shahid, still weak but conscious, reflected on the incident. He realized how fragile life is and how easily it can be taken away. The food he had so eagerly longed for that morning had almost become the cause of his death.

In the days that followed, Shahid often thought about his cat. He missed its playful presence but also recognized that its sacrifice had, in a way, saved him. If the cat had not eaten the food before him, Shahid might have consumed more of it, and the result could have been fatal.

This incident became a lesson not only for Shahid but also for his entire family. They became more cautious about what they ate, always checking food carefully. More importantly, Shahid grew spiritually stronger. He understood more deeply that the blessings of Allah must be enjoyed with gratitude but also with mindfulness. Health, food, and even life itself are precious gifts that can be lost in an instant.

From then on, Shahid prayed more regularly, took his studies seriously, and valued the simple moments of life. Whenever he saw food on the table, he remembered that day when a single bite nearly ended everything. He promised himself never to take any blessing for granted again.

And so, Shahid’s story became one of gratitude, awareness, and the realization that Allah’s mercy surrounds us even in moments of danger.