An Article by Rafa Butt (aged 12)
I chose the topic, Learning from the Masters: How the Prophets Called to Allah, because it helps us look back at history and understand how the prophets taught people about Allah. From the very beginning of time, Allah chose prophets to guide people, teach them about worshipping only Him, and show them how to live good, honest lives. Their stories aren’t just old tales intended to put children to sleep — they’re lessons we will carry on learning until the end of time.
When we study the Prophets’ stories, we see how Allah gave them wisdom, how they faced extremely hard challenges, and how they stayed patient and strong. Each Prophet of Allah showed unshakable faith, trust in Allah, moral integrity and ethical leaderships. Prophets like Adam, Nuh, Ibrahim, Musa, Isa, and Muhammad (peace be upon them all) each had their own special qualities, but they all shared the same message: that Allah is One, and we must submit to Him completely.
This topic matters because it helps us connect what we learn, to how we live. When we understand the prophet stories, we don’t just learn facts—we learn how to be patient, kind, and fair. These lessons still matter in our lives now.
Learning how the Prophets called people to Allah also makes us think about guidance, truth, and how faith can change us. Their examples show us a path we can follow to become better people and help our communities grow.
So, I decided to write a story of a young boy named AbdUllah to show young Muslims how they can implement these stories in their lives.
Early one morning, AbdUllah stepped outside as the sky glowed pink and gold. The cool air felt fresh, and the quiet made him think of Prophet Adam (AS) who began his life by learning the names of everything. Curiosity was Adam’s first lesson — noticing and appreciating Allah’s creation.
“Maybe today I can learn from the world too,” AbdUllah thought.
He walked through the garden, dew sparkling on the grass. Suddenly, a loud crack echoed from inside. He rushed in to find his little brother Omar standing over his LEGO tower — now in pieces.
“I didn’t mean to! I just touched it!” Omar cried.
Anger rose in AbdUllah’s chest, but he paused. He remembered Prophet Ayub عليه السلام and his patience through hardship. A quiet prayer came to his heart:
رَبِّ إِنِّي مَسَّنِيَ الضُّرُّ وَأَنتَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ
“My Lord, harm has touched me, and You are the Most Merciful of the merciful.” Qur’an 21:83
He picked up a LEGO piece. “It’s okay. Let’s rebuild it together.”
Omar’s shoulders relaxed.
Soon after, the Adhan drifted through the neighbourhood. At the mosque, as AbdUllah unrolled his prayer mat, it slipped and slapped loudly on the floor. A few people turned. His face burned.
He remembered Prophet Ibrahim عليه السلام, who faced far greater trials with calm trust. AbdUllah breathed slowly and whispered:
حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ
“Allah is enough for us, and He is the best disposer of our affairs.” Qur’an 3:173
Sahih al‑Bukhari 4563
After prayer, he walked home by the river.
The water flowed around rocks without fighting them, reminding him of Prophet Musa عليه السلام standing before the Red Sea with unwavering trust. AbdUllah murmured:
رَبِّ اشْرَحْ لِي صَدْرِي • وَيَسِّرْ لِي أَمْرِي
“My Lord, open my heart and make my task easy.” Qur’an 20:25–26
At home, he found his mother carrying a heavy basket. He rushed to help.
“Thank you, sweetheart,” she said.
He remembered Prophet Isa عليه السلام, known for his gentleness and kindness, and asked Allah silently to make his heart soft like that.
Later, he visited his grandmother. Her home smelled of warm bread and old books. She told him stories, then said, “Even Prophet Yunus عليه السلام found hope in the darkest place.”
AbdUllah pictured the whale’s belly — the fear, the faith — and whispered:
لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ
“There is no god but You; glory be to You. I was indeed among the wrongdoers.” Qur’an 21:87
Walking home at sunset, the sky glowing orange and purple, he whispered, “SubhanAllah.”
A sparrow hopped along the windowsill, calm and steady. It reminded him of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ — gentle, patient, merciful. Abdullah quietly made the Prophet’s ﷺ dua:
اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي وَسَدِّدْنِي
“O Allah, guide me and keep me steadfast.” Sahih Muslim 2725
That evening, Abdullah sat by his lamp and opened his notebook. He wrote the lessons of his day:
- Adam عليه السلام taught him to notice.
- Ayub عليه السلام taught him patience.
- Ibrahim عليه السلام taught him trust.
- Musa عليه السلام taught him courage.
- Isa عليه السلام taught him kindness.
- Yunus عليه السلام taught him hope.
- Muhammad ﷺ taught him mercy.
He added one final line:
“Allah teaches us through His Prophets and through the world around us. Every moment has a message.”
Before bed, he stepped outside once more. The night sky stretched above him, stars shining like tiny lanterns. He whispered:
اللَّهُ يَهْدِينِي فِي كُلِّ لَحْظَةٍ
“Allah guides me in every moment.”
The words wrapped around him like warmth.
He went to sleep with a peaceful heart, knowing wisdom wasn’t far away — it was in rivers and sparrows, in helping hands, in quiet breaths, and in every small choice.
And the next morning, he hoped to wake ready to learn again — to notice like Adam, be patient like Ayub, trust like Ibrahim, be brave like Musa, show kindness like Isa, stay hopeful like Yunus, and follow the gentle example of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Because the world, he realised, was a giant book — and every day was a new page waiting to be read.