Hamzah is a little boy who lives in Gaza.
Every morning, he wakes up early. He hears birds singing outside the window.
The glass is cracked, but the sky is still blue.
Hamzah said, “Daddy, it’s almost time to pray. Can I go to the mosque?”
His father smiled and nodded. “Yes, my little brave one. Take the small path, and be safe, okay”.
Hamzah takes his little prayer mat and walks to the mosque.
"Indeed, I am Allah. There is no deity except Me, so worship Me and establish prayer for My
remembrance." (QS. Ta-Ha/20: 14)
The mosque is small, with cracks on the walls. But it stands strong, like the hearts inside it. People come with quiet steps and hopeful eyes. They bow, they pray, they whisper to Allah. Hamzah listens to the imam’s voice, soft and calm. His heart feels warm, like sunshine in his chest. He knows, Allah is always close, even in the quiet, even in the cracks.
ﻋَﺰِﻳﺰ ٌّ ﻟَﻘَﻮِﻱ َ ﺍﻟﻠَّﻪ َّ ﺇِﻥ ُۗ ﻳَﻨﺼُﺮُﻩ ﻣَﻦ ُ ﺍﻟﻠَّﻪ َّ ﻭَﻟَﻴَﻨﺼُﺮَﻥ
"… And Allah will surely support those who support Him. Indeed, Allah is Powerful and Exalted in Might." (QS. Al-Hajj/22: 40)
After prayer, Hamzah walks to school. Their classroom is a tent; the real one is gone.
But inside, there is joy. Books are opened. Smiles are shared. Hope is stronger than walls.
"Children,” says Ustadha Maryam,
“Learning and praying make our hearts brave.”
Hamzah smiles. One day, He dreams to teach the Qur’an, just like light teaches the dark how to shine. َ
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا قِيلَ لَكُمْ تَفَسَّحُوا فِي الْمَجَالِسِ فَافْسَحُوا يَفْسَحِ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ ۖ وَإِذَا قِيلَ انشُزُوا فَانشُزُوا يَرْفَعِ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنْكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ دَرَجَاتٍ ۚ وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ
"O you who have believed, when you are told, "Space yourselves" in assemblies, then make space; Allah will make space for you. And when you are told, "Arise," then arise; Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees. And Allah is Acquainted with what you do." (QS. Al-Mujadilah/58: 11)
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One day, BOOM! A big sound shakes the ground. People run. Everyone is scared.
Hamzah holds his small Qur’an close.
He looks at his mother.
“Mom, can we pray?”
“Yes, my love,” she says. “Prayer makes our hearts calm.”
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلَاةِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الصَّابِرِينَ
"O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah
is with the patient." (QS. Al-Baqarah: 153)
Days pass, and the sky begins to quiet. One morning, helpers arrive in Gaza bringing bread, books, and little toys wrapped in kindness. Among them, a lady kneels beside Hamzah. She holds out a soft green prayer mat.
“For a brave heart like yours,” she says gently, her eyes full of care.
Hamzah holds it close, like a gift from the sky, like a hug from Allah.
His chest feels warm. His heart whispers “Allah remembers me.”
"Tell them, (O Prophet): “My servants who have committed excesses against
themselves, do not despair of Allah’s Mercy. Surely Allah forgives all sins. He is
Most Forgiving, Most Merciful." (QS. Az-Zumar: 53)
Hamzah Gazed Up at The Sky above Him. The Air was Clear, No Smoke, No Loud Sounds. Just The Wide, Calm Blue Stretching Far and Wide.
He Took a Deep Breath and Whispered,
“The Sky Is Still Blue…”
“That Means Our Hope Is Still Alive.”
A bright smile spread across His face, Full of trust and courage.
He knew, Allah was watching over every step He took. And as long as the sun continues to rise, nothing can dim the light inside his heart.
Moral of the Story
No matter how hard life gets, like Hamzah in Gaza, staying strong in prayer and learning is the greatest power. Through faith and knowledge, hope stays alive, because Allah is always with those who are patient and keep trying.