Lali's story of greeting
From the series Around the World with My Arabic Letters
Suitable for ages 2-7 years
Book size: 14 x 21
Greeting is the first step an individual takes to communicate socially. When we greet, we look at the person we are greeting, smile at him, and say, “Peace be upon you and God’s mercy and blessings.”
This is the Islamic greeting. It conveys reassurance, instills security in the souls of others, and spreads familiarity, goodness, and blessings. A Muslim greets those he knows and those he does not. The most perfect way to greet someone is for the young to begin by greeting the old, the pedestrian to the seated, the rider to the pedestrian, and the few to the many. Peace is one of the beautiful names of Allah. Allah the Almighty said: “He is Allah, other than whom there is no deity, the Sovereign, the Holy, the Peace, the Giver of Security, the Guardian, the Exalted in Might, the Compeller, the Majestic. Glory be to Allah above what they associate with Him.” [Al-Hashr: 23] The Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him, said: “O people, spread peace, feed the poor, and pray at night while people are asleep, and you will enter Paradise in peace.” ⚘ Concerning visiting the sick: The Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him, said: “The rights of one Muslim over another are five: returning Greetings, visiting the sick, attending funerals, accepting invitations, and saying “May God have mercy on you” to one who sneezes.
The story takes place in... South America, in the cold Andes Mountains, where the Inca people, a Native American tribe, live. It is also the home of the llama, which inhabits rugged mountain peaks, pastures, and farms. The Andes mountain range extends across seven countries: Argentina, Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, Chile, Colombia, and Venezuela. Argentina is the fourth largest lemon-producing country in the world.