Chapter Fourteen – Real family
The sun beamed through the window of the bus that Saba was seated in, while she was on her way to the orphanage on Sunday evening. It was a week into spring and thus the streets looked colorful and bright with the blooms of the season. Saba smiled at the sight thinking about the kids at the orphanage and the gift she had prepared for them in her hand. They’d told her that night that they’d love to have some of her hand-made chocolate chip cookies. So she’d made them for those little smiles. She had made one for each of the 26 kids who lived in that small orphanage and an extra one, for the one who’d promised to visit them.
Thinking about him deepened her smile with the thought of seeing him again. The memories of that night lingered with her just as she’d told him. She remembered them, all of it once again in a split second and chuckled for the hundredth time as she remembered how he’d told her not to cry over her past ever so humorously and casually. For one moment she’d thought to herself if he would really be showing up that day. But she shook that doubt away as she remembered he’d said that he always kept his promises.
Within half an hour, Saba got off the bus stop that lead her to the university but quickly began walking to the street that had the library and the orphanage. As soon as she walked through the gates, the younger kids who were playing their own games on the main ground in front of the building, came running to her and she realized how much they’d missed her as usual. Like every weekend that she’d visited them, she gave them her gifts first and then played different games in the different groups that they were in. Saba found herself looking at the gate of the orphanage even when she played the games but the one she was waiting for showed up when she was least expecting.
She was playing hopscotch with her abaya tied up like a dress below knee length and was showing part of the blue jeans she was wearing. She hopped on the last two boxed and turned around with a jump saying ‘Hooray!’ But her smile faded as she saw the person standing near the closed gate on the playground. Zayaan’s lips were parted as he looked at the girl in front of him while finding it hard to believe his eyes. Saba squinted her eyes and hurriedly untied her abaya down to her toes before covering her face in shame. This couldn’t be happening! She thought to herself as she distanced her fingers to uncover her eyes. Just then she saw Zayaan letting out a light laugh as he looked down. Saba slowly put her hands down and it was then that the 2 of the little girls near her realized that their ‘Uncle Zayaan’ had come.
Not long after they began running towards him with a screech, the other 3 girls who knew him did the same and went to him from the other end of the ground. All 5 girls hugged Zayaan with hearts full of love and Saba ended up being at ease, seeing Zayaan hugging them as lovingly. The girls introduced their new uncle to their other friends as ‘Aunt Saba’s friend’. Zayaan said he liked that title just randomly while winking to Saba as he walked to different groups of children. Saba was touched to know that he brought gifts for the kids as well. They were random new toys that all kids liked. Saba had given him the cookie he’d brought for him through a kid since she hesitated to give him herself. Nonetheless the kid she sent ended up saying she gave it and his eye caught hers and she ended up smiling nervously as though she meant something deep by that cookie. Nonetheless, Zayaan immediately gave her a reassuring smile and even said it was the best cookie he’d had in his life as he took a bite while playing with the kids.
After about an hour of playing Saba told the kids that it was story time and around 6 kids gathered near her as she sat on the artificial grass carpet while the other kids hurried to the reading corner in the building. Usually during story time, all kids would go to the reading corner but whenever Saba was there, the 6 kids with a muslim background would gather around her to hear a story from her. This began when one of those kids said that reading was so boring for her but her late mother said reading was so important as it’s the first command from the Quran. It was then that Saba began to have an interest in getting to know the muslim kids in that orphanage and when she found out that there were 5 girls and 1 boy who came from muslim families, she made it a point to teach them about Islam. The orphanage was run by a friendly Christian woman and she didn’t mind it. Neither did she mind when some of the Christian kids would join Saba’s story time on some days as she would tell stories of Prophets even they heard about though they heard different versions of those stories. Saba knew that this was one of those days as she was planning to tell everyone part of the story of Musa (AS).
Zayaan was fascinated as Saba sat on the carpet and the kids sat in front of her ever so obediently. She must be going to do something awesome, Zayaan thought as he himself sat behind the kids. He was even more amazed when some other kids who headed to the building came back to her and asked which story it was going to be. Zayaan was expecting something like, “The hare and the turtle” or “The lion and the mouse” but his eyebrows furrowed when he heard, “The story of Prophet Moses.”
Zayaan had heard stories of Prophets from his mother and of course it was during Ramadaan only as a kid. His mother made him memorize those stories only so that she could show her friends that her kid was able to tell the stories from the Quran. It was only now that Zayaan realizes, that his mother only gave him bits of advices from Islam and told him to pray just because it was part of their culture and she wanted to show off how ‘cultured’ her son was. Perhaps that’s why Zayaan had that in the back of his head his whole life. That religion was there only to show off. Maybe that’s why he only prayed mostly in Ramadaan when lot of relatives will be asking if he prayed and the neighbours would question if he didn’t join the taraaweeh that they’d have in the masjid in that neighbourhood.
But what was Saba doing? Zayaan thought. Her father was not there watching her to see if she was acting in accordance with her ‘culture.’ As it occurred to him, he wondered why Saba was wearing so ‘islamically’. In winter the dress was understandable but that evening had the warmth of spring. Zayaan was sure she would be more comfortable in a shorter and thinner dress. What was compelling her? Her father surely wasn’t a strict man. Then what was up with her?
Zayaan came out of his thoughts when Saba began her story. He was immediately drawn by how she began the story. She told the kids that there was an evil king once, who ordered his soldiers to kill all the baby boys. And that the mother of Musa (AS) was sitting in a house, holding her baby with her heart trembling in fear as she heard the soldiers walking by the closed door of her small house. Zayaan was absolutely lost in the story from that point while at the same time being mesmerized at the changes in tone in Saba’s voice and the excitement with which she was telling the stories.
He’d heard the story of Musa (AS) a hundred times before. But that was the first time that he ever felt that story. The story had so many twists that amazed him and so many lessons that changed his perspective on a lot of things. So much so that he ended up thinking that Saba must have made up the story herself to make it more likeable. But he was even more stunned by the answer she gave, when he’d asked that question.
“I didn’t make it up, Zayaan. It’s the original story of Musa (AS) as it is in the Quran. You could look up the translation of Suratul Qasas yourself! The lessons may not be apparent from the translation. We learn extra lessons from the ayahs of Quran by looking at what the Prophet (SAW) said about the ayahs and also by looking at what the early scholars said about the ayahs. I could recommend you some books or lectures if you’d like.” Saba told him as he walked her to the bus stop like the other night.
Zayaan had politely refused the offer but he could not help but think about the story Saba had told that was evening. It was as though it was the best and the most meaningful thing he’d heard in a very long time. It was almost subconsciously that he ended up downloading a Quran translation app and he looked up Suratul Qasas. He was baffled to see the story of Musa (AS) as Saba told in the evening in that surah. Just then he realized how distant he’d been from the Quran his whole life though he was muslim. He was just assuming what the Quran had and he’d thought it mostly talked about the punishment of Allah. But seeing that story in the Quran and realizing how beautiful it was, Zayaan wanted to learn more about that Book.
He didn’t want anyone else to get a hunch of that though hence he never asked Saba to recommend him a book or lecture. Instead, he visited the orphanage every Sunday and possibly every day that Saba would go. He wanted Saba to assume that he wanted to see her (which was partly true) and nothing else. But he knew Saba realized that he was going for the ‘story time’ too as he began asking her about the next story she was going to tell as they walked to the bus stop.
And with each story from the Quran, Zayaan was more drawn towards Islam as a whole and began to take interest even in the random advice sessions that Saba was having with the kids. His heart melted the day he’d heard about the name of Allah, Ar-Rahmaan, which meant the Extremely Loving and Caring. He never heard of Allah in such a way. All he heard about Allah was that He swt was quick to punish. While it was the opposite that he learned from the Quran. Allah is not quick to punish. Rather, He is quick to forgive the one who turns to Him with a sincere heart. And He swt appreciates even the tiniest of efforts that His slaves make towards Him. If His slave goes to Him walking, He will go towards His slave, running. Zayaan felt tears in his eyes for the first time while remembering Allah that day. And that was the day that changed his life.
That was the day he decided that he would no longer miss a single prayer. And that he would do whatever he did only if it was pleasing to Allah. Thus he asked Saba for the books and lectures she’d told him about. He began to learn more about Islam. The more he learned, the more he realized the beauty of it and the more he wanted to follow it. He began to recite more Quran and praying sunnah prayers, in hope that he will gain Allah’s Love even more and forgive his past sins.
Though he did these extra acts of worship voluntarily, he found his character changing for the better automatically. He was kinder and more generous with everyone around him. He found himself helping others more at his workplace with less arrogance, as he realized whatever talents he had were only given to him by Allah. And thus he should put those talents to good use.
And so he did. He found himself launching an entire show that raised awareness on the needy people around the community and encouraging others to donate for them. And another show that broadcasted different talents of young people including muslim youth, in order to encourage the young generation to stay productive and also motivate the muslim youth to do more productive things for the community and excel in order to show the world just how amazing their faith was. Both of his shows took off amazingly within a couple of months and his boss promoted him to a higher department permanently. All his colleagues congratulated him and though he thanked them, he was never deluded from the fact that his success was all by the Will of Allah.
Regardless of everything that was going right in his life, it was his parents who remained rigid. Though they were the ones who’d advised him to pray every once in a while, they chuckled, every time he left for the prayer on time. Every time he asked what was wrong, they would say, make sure you don’t fall among the terrorists. He’d didn’t shave much after he’d got to know that it was the sunnah of the Prophet (SAW). His father asked him to shave it off before they get us arrested. And they said these statements mockingly in a way that hurt Zayaan. But all he did was show him smiles and give them good advice. He even tried to tell them about the story of Musa (AS) since that was the story that changed his life but they ignored him every time, either by changing the subject entirely or turning up the volume of the television. He began to feel a kind of loneliness he never felt before. But he kept making dua for them without losing hope.
Then came a morning that made him feel utterly hopeless about his parents. It was one weekend when Zayaan sat at the dining table to have the evening tea before he left to go to the orphanage. His father cleared his throat to get his attention.
“Mr. Mathew called me up on the phone. He told me that he asked you if his son could go on your show. He said he is willing to pay the channel quite a bit if you allow his son to go on an interview.” Farooq said in his monotone.
“Dad…..no. And I said this before. The kid has clearly something against Islam and he wants to spread hate speech. I wouldn’t allow anyone to go on my show to make fun of any religion for that matter. It was not made for that purpose!” Zayaan said firmly. Mr. Mathew was his father’s boss for the past decade. It was a difficult decision for him to make to reject the boss’ son but he knew he couldn’t do the wrong thing.
“Oh! Then for what purpose was it made? To promote kids of those who promote suicide bombing?” his mother said mockingly then again, but with a hint of rage this time.
“No mom….you know clearly why it’s made. Don’t blame the kids for what their parents did. Look at what they are doing as muslim youth. Look at what they stand for. I love them for the love they have for Allah and His Messenger and for Islam. And I can’t stand someone who mocks our faith and I will stop anyone who does if it’s in my hands.” Zayaan said firmly.
“Oh so you will reject the president of the United States if he asked you to go on your show? Listen kid! Know your place. Your show is just a few thousand dollars from Mr. Mathew for it to be stopped from broadcasted. Think with your head! Not with superstitions!” said Farooq angrily. This was the first time Zayaan heard anger in his father’s voice towards him. But he didn’t back off.
“Its not superstitions, Dad! Its faith. The faith you and mom have been trying to teach me my whole life. I believe firmly that if Allah helps me, there is nothing-“
“Oh give me a break! I think this is why Aleesha called off the proposal and flew away.” Zeenath blurted out.
“Mom I told you it was a mutual decision. Aleesha said the same thing remember?” Zayaan reminded.
“And we are not believing that. Any girl would run away from you because of what you are becoming. You better snap out of it before I show you what I can do to the little success that you think you have achieved….” Farooq said, narrowing his eyes as though trying to win a competition.
“Dad….” Zayaan’s voice faded in a whisper when he felt a burn in his eyes.
“Don’t forget that we brought you to this country to bring honour to our house. Not to get brainwashed and have our jobs at stake too as a result! By the end of next week, you will be lucky if you’re petty show is still on television. Mark my words!” Farooq said as he got up and pointed a finger to Zayaan. Zayaan sat silently as his father walked away, followed by his mother, who did nothing to console him either. He wasn’t sad that his show might be stopped. But he was sad at the enmity his closest people were showing him.
Because of what happened, Zayaan got all the more reason to go to the orphanage. When he’d reached there at varying speeds while getting lost in his thoughts, Saba had already started the advice session for the kids. He got into the orphanage and slowly walked himself to the carpet before sitting. That day, Saba was talking about “love for the sake of Allah.”
“So you see kids, that’s why its so important to have people in life who you love, just for the sake of Allah. You love them, just because you know that they obey Allah and the Messenger (SAW). You love them when you see them praying, reciting Quran and saying dhikr. You love them when they remind you to do these good things. These are the people who will take us to Jannah with them. Those are our real family.”
Just as Saba said those words a sobbing was heard from the back and everyone turned to see Zayaan. Zayaan noticed Saba looking at him, and then the kids and he quickly wiped his tears before he got up to leave. Saba kept looking at him in wonder until he went out the gate.
