Good day, dear listeners!

Today, we delve into a captivating tale of faith and fortune, a story about a
man named Mullah Ibrahim. What unforeseen challenges and unexpected blessings await him on this
path? What wonders will he uncover? Join us as we unravel the compelling narrative of Mullah
Ibrahim's journey, a testament to the complexities of faith and the surprising ways in which divine
intervention can manifest itself.

In the Caliph's religious school, Mullah Ibrahim, a teacher, was thinking about his hard life. He said to
himself, "I'm a holy man, but I work so hard teaching these students! Why do others live comfortably
without working hard, even though they haven't been good or followed God's rules? God, isn't this
unfair? Why am I burdened like a donkey carrying heavy loads, always getting hit?"

Thinking about his problems, Ibrahim remembered a religious verse: "God won't let anyone go hungry."
He wondered, "Maybe those lazy students are actually better Muslims than me, maybe they have more
faith."

Ibrahim thought about faith: "I'll trust in God's mercy; it's for everyone. God will take care of me. Why
should I work so hard like those without faith? People with faith are chosen."

Then, he saw a rich man giving money to a poor beggar. Ibrahim thought, "Both the rich man and the
beggar show that the verse is true. Neither is starving. The rich man is more religious because he gives,
not takes. Why do I worry? I should trust in God and stop teaching those students who don't
understand."

So, Ibrahim left the school and went outside of Baghdad. He found a shady spot by the river and slept,
sure that God would help him.

Waking up, Ibrahim wondered, "Will birds or fish magically give me food? How does God help people—
with miracles?"

He thought about rich people: "A rich man would have a boat and lots of food." But nothing magical
happened. Rich men sailed by, only greeting him. People walked past without helping. Ibrahim was very
hungry and wished he was back at the school eating. Even so, he kept washing himself in the river,
believing in God.

He slept again and woke up too weak to stand. Hours passed, and still no food. At midday, he saw
something floating in the river—leaves wrapped around a package. He got it and opened it. Inside was
delicious halva, a sweet treat from Baghdad.

After eating the halva, Ibrahim said, "God answered my prayer! I don't have to work anymore!" He drank
water and relaxed, sure he'd get more halva every day after praying. He thought, "God's promises are
true; those who trust Him won't be disappointed." He thought about leaving the school and not teaching
students who couldn't even remember simple verses.

For months, Ibrahim kept getting halva. He wondered where it came from and wanted to see a miracle to
become more famous. One morning, after finishing his halva, he decided to walk up the river. He said,
"If I'm right, I'll get my halva earlier today." He thought that by going closer to the source, he'd find an
angel dropping the food in.
For days, he walked, finding the halva earlier each day. He slept under a tree each night. On the fourth
day, he saw a big island with a beautiful castle. It was magical, like paradise.

As he watched, an old hermit asked, "What are you doing here?"

Ibrahim said, "Peace be upon you, father. I'm a holy man on a journey I can't explain. This castle is
amazing; I'd like to know its story."

The hermit said, "I've lived here a long time. This is the Silver Castle. A pasha built it because a king
wouldn't let him marry his daughter. The pasha used magic to take the princess and get married. The
king attacked, but the pasha's magic was too strong."

"Amazing!" Ibrahim said. "Is the princess still there?"

The hermit replied, "No, she and the pasha are dead, but their daughter lives in the castle. She's very
beautiful and rich, but she can't leave or let anyone in because of the magic. It must be lonely for her."

"I have to go on a pilgrimage," the hermit continued, "but you can stay in my hut for seven days."

Ibrahim stayed and thought about freeing the castle. He fell asleep and woke up late. After washing, he
went to the river. He saw a beautiful woman on the castle walls. She was stunning, like an angel. He
thought she might be the princess.

She threw something in the river and disappeared. It was the halva package!

Ibrahim said, "Now I know who gives me food! God used this princess to help me. I should help her
escape the magic! She should be a queen, not a prisoner!"

Ibrahim thought about how to break the magic. He went to the land of the spirits in his mind and talked
to a spirit named Adhem.

Adhem bowed and said, "I'm your servant. How can I help?"

Ibrahim explained. Adhem said, "This is difficult. I'll ask others and send a message."

Ibrahim left and woke up. It was night, and the music from the castle was beautiful.

A spirit appeared and said, "Adhem, a powerful spirit, says he can help. He gives you this ring. Look into
it to see the magic around the castle. Then, we'll help you break it." The spirit disappeared.

Ibrahim looked in the ring and saw an invisible wall. He called on spirits to become builders and they
destroyed the wall. He saw an invisible web; spirits became eagles and tore it apart. He saw invisible
giants; spirits became bigger giants and fought them, winning the battle.

With the magic gone, a bridge appeared. Ibrahim crossed to the island. A guard stopped him and asked
how he got there.

Ibrahim said, "I'll only tell the princess. Let me see her."

The guard took Ibrahim to the princess. Ibrahim told his story.

The princess asked, "What reward do you want? I'll give you half my wealth!"
Ibrahim said, "I'm grateful for the halva you gave me. Only an angel would have done that."

The princess blushed and said, "Oh, that halva! Every morning, I bathe in milk and use almond and sugar
lotions. I throw the used lotions in the river!"

Ibrahim smiled, "Now I see! God feeds everyone, but the ‘type’ of food depends on what you deserve!"

Moral of the story

The story of Mullah Ibrahim teaches us important lessons about faith and kindness. It shows that we
should trust in God's help, even when life is hard. Sometimes, God provides for us in unexpected ways,
just like how the princess helped Ibrahim without knowing it. The story reminds us that giving and being
generous can make a big difference, even when we are struggling ourselves. By being open to helping
others, we can find joy and purpose. Finally, Ibrahim learns that God's gifts may not come as simple
miracles but are often special and tailored to each person's needs. That would be the end of our story
entitled “The Food paradise”

Questions

1. Why does Mullah Ibrahim feel burdened in his life as a teacher?

o Mullah Ibrahim feels burdened because he works very hard teaching his students while
observing that others live comfortably without putting in the same effort or being good
people.

2. What religious verse does Ibrahim remember that influences his thoughts about faith and
trust in God?

o Ibrahim remembers the verse that states, "God won't let anyone go hungry," which leads
him to consider trusting in God's mercy.

3. What does Ibrahim find floating in the river after a long period of hunger?

o Ibrahim finds a package wrapped in leaves that contains delicious halva, a sweet treat
from Baghdad.

4. Who does Ibrahim meet on the island, and what is the story of the castle?

o Ibrahim meets an old hermit who tells him about the Silver Castle, built by a pasha who
used magic to marry a princess. The princess and the pasha are dead, but their daughter
lives in the castle, trapped by magic.

5. How does Ibrahim plan to help the princess who is trapped by magic?

o Ibrahim plans to break the magic that keeps the princess trapped by seeking help from
spirits and using a magical ring to see and dismantle the barriers around the castle.
6. What realization does Ibrahim have about the source of the halva and how it relates to his
understanding of God's provision?

o Ibrahim realizes that the halva comes from the princess, who unknowingly helps him. He
understands that God's provision varies for everyone, and what one receives may
depend on what they deserve.