The Sacrifice!

Dusk had been passed already. Saffron rays of lull sunset unfurled its curtain on the worldwide theatres. The holy month of Ramadan had come to its concluding days. Folks, after celebrating the twenty-nine fasts, came to terms that it might be the last day of the pious month. Henceforth, after the twilight prayers, everybody went to the seashore, in order to witness the crescent of the upcoming month. Amidst the sight of devilish bats under the dim light of new moon nightfall, folks jovially witnessed a silver crescent. “Auspicious Eid ul Fitr shall be celebrated tomorrow” Masjid announced. 

Villagers bought their Fitras and submitted them to the respective Masjids. Under the guidance of elderly scholars, the Fitras were divided sincerely into many kits. Youths squared their shoulders to distribute those kits among the poor and needy villagers. Elders distributed the sugar candies and the date fruits among the children. Children were overjoyed and were enthusiastic to wear new garments on the festival day.

Abu Byari’s hotel was the only one for Nandanvan*, our village on the banks of the Arabian Sea. Ever since his spouse served the meals at his hotel, villagers enjoyed the homely taste in the hotel. He regulated his hotel with the service of two distant relatives- Sultan and Basheer. Basheer’s father, after getting fed up with his son’s lack of interest in studies, forced him to join the hotel for the work. Working in the hotel is far better, he assumed, instead of wasting time like a hooligan. Though Sultan had the interest to prosecute his studies, the intense poverty of his house pushed him for the labor. He worked hard in the hotel and also respected Abu Byari very much. His appreciable attributes weakened Abu Byari to handover extra money over his salary; also he had been well-versed with the financial state of Sultan’s house. So, every year, on the eve of the festivals, he helped Sultan by gifting him new clothing- A lungi and a white shirt. 

*****

“Masjids have announced that festival is going to be celebrated tomorrow… Everybody is enthusiastic. My friends have already purchased new shirts for the festival” pale-faced Sultan complained to his mother.

“Nothing’s uncommon here. Everyone is in a plan to celebrate the festival devastatingly as usual” replied his mother, Aminabi- in a gentle tone. 

“That’s not what I meant. Everybody has purchased the necessities for the festival” pausing for a moment, he continued “I neither have a new shirt nor a lungi”

“What else can I do, son? From the day of your father’s passing away, I’ve been combating constantly against the poverty of our home. I grew up with you despite the harsh words of villagers. But, from the day when I lost my eyesight, I got despaired” She said and wiped away her tears.

“Don’t think as you do now. Allah is always with us!” Sultan endeavored to comfort his mother. 

“Son, every year Abu Byari used to gift you a shirt and lungi. Didn’t he gift you this year?” Mother asked. 

“No maa. Two months ago, his brother expired due to a severe cardiac arrest and a fortnight ago, his son in Dubai, passed away in an accident. How can he gift me shirt and lungi, when his home is bereaved” 

 “O, Allah! Bestow your bounties and mercies… two deaths in two months…” saying so, her dried bones started shivering. 

Calls for the prayers started calling out in Masjid, while both were having a talk. “I’ll return after offering the prayers, mother,” said Sultan, and left for the Masjid. Mother followed him till the main door. Even if none can experience one’s pain and gain; being a mother, she will definitely experience it. Mother’s heart shattered into pieces looking at the son’s upset face. 

  “O, Allah! Send down your mercies on the piece of my heart- Sultan. Upsetting one-, who serves his blind mother round the clock, is not your feature. Protect him with your bounties…” She prayed so standing on the threshold of the main door. She went in and closed the door. Waves of the calm sea were rolling uninterruptedly. After each tide, came the other. Thorn of lame excuse kept pricking Sultan, but his mother experienced its pain. 

*****

 After offering his prayers, Sultan instead of returning his home, went to the seashore, lied on the soft sand palely and dived into the oceans of thoughts. Seawater came rushing and kissed his feet, before returning. A canoe was struggling against the weird tempest, to reach the shore. But, darkness had prevailed in all the directions.

While sitting simply there on the sands, suddenly a hard object came floating and struck his feet. Returning from the world of thoughts on striking, he investigated the object. The object seemed to be an ancient lamp. “It’s wet. Let me wipe it” saying so, he wiped it. Suddenly a giant spirit burst out of the lamp and said, “Tell me what thou dost want of me; Here am I, thy slave and the slave of those who holdeth the lamp” it said, both hands folded, with extreme seriousness. 

“From where do you come from, O the wandering spirit,” he asked the spirit. 

“Hold your horses, boy! I am not any wandering spirit… instead, I am the slave of this lamp. And now I am your slave” It roared thunderously.  

 “Slave of the lamp…? My Slave…?” sultan got totally perplexed. 

 “Yes. Many years ago, a young guy named Aladdin, had rescued me from the cave somewhere in a Chinese country. Later, I helped him to lead a luxurious life. One day, he tied his knot to the emperor’s daughter. Then, I bought him a palace from the African continent. Taking my help, he transformed into a ruler of the Arabian peninsula from an ordinary youth…!” 

 “If so, then why don’t you get me a new shirt and a lungi? What I meant is tomorrow we are going to celebrate the festival and I don’t have any new shirt” he pleaded humbly and his upset face, blossomed at once. Flowers of hope bloomed amidst the buzzing bees. 

“Nay, it’s impossible for me now to serve anybody. If needed, I’ll stand by your side to help you, in your tasks”      

“How stubbornly persistent are you? He, who can perform impossible tasks, can’t get me just a new shirt and a lungi? What does it mean?”      

“Human wants have no limits. He strives till his last breath satisfying his worldly desires. But, he actually requires and will, of course, gain is six feet soil! And that’s the SILENT TRUTH”

 

“Hey, what I need now is new cloths, not your worthless sermons. And who taught you these sermons?” Sultan asked.     

“What do you think; he, who can carry a palace from an African continent to Arabian Peninsula, can’t go through a scripture?”     

“Why can’t? But, what I want is now the new cloths. Not your pointless words”     

“That’s the point. Your woeful wails are already ready. Now to whom can I say my moral words?”     

“What do you mean?”     

“Listen. This story goes around thousand two hundred years ago” The slave of the lamp started to narrate the story. Sultan got enthusiastic to listen.

*****

Allama Waqdi, a renowned scholar of primitive Baghdad, was celebrated everywhere for his knowledge and wisdom. Great scholars from all the direction, traveled the thousands of miles in the scorching sands of Arabian Desert to meet him in order to resolve their questions. Allama Waqdi, due to his gregariousness, maintained a smooth friendship with Abu Hashim and Mohammad Qasim- other big guns of knowledge and gave optimum definition to the phrase ‘Ideal Friends’. And because of his reverential personality, he was honored by the folks everywhere. 

Caliph Al-Wathiq II, a noble ruler, was ruling the utopian state, where Allama dwelled. Caliph administered the state so ideally that none in his state slept empty stomached. Under his fine ruling, the days pasted one upon the other very smoothly. Hence one day, the folks welcomed the holy month of Ramadan. It was the debut, Ramadan, for the folks under the ruling of Caliph Al Wathiq II. Twenty-nine days of fasting passed away within the blink of an eye and folks bear witnessed the crescent of the solemn festival. 

Children, out of their intense enthusiasm, discussed their new garments with the other kids mustered in the Masjid. Children of Allama Waqdi, out of their eagerness, went to their father to enquire about their new clothes. Allama Waqdi, who had never treasured up any worldly materials, hadn’t purchased anything for him and his family. Despaired kids started weeping for the new cloths. Allama Waqdi’s spouse, while consoling her children, asked Allama “Why won’t you get something from your friends in debt, so that we may purchase clothes for our children. After some days, we can repay them” she said and got involved in consoling her children.

Unwillingly, Allama accepted her words and went to his childhood friend Mohammad Qasim to seek help. Mohammad Qasim, out of his extreme generosity, handed over a handbag containing hundred Dinars to Allama Waqdi. Allama gratefully thanked him and returned home joyous.

When he returned home, his close friend Abu Hashim was waiting helplessly. Looking at Allama, his dried eyes glittered at once and rays of hopes arose within him.

Abu Hashim, instead of twisting his words to make it complicated, plainly explained his dilemma and asked for some debt. Allama Waqdi happily handed him the handbag which he had bought from Mohammad Qasim.

Looking at the handbag from Allama, “This is my bag. I had given it to Mohammad Qasim” Abu Hashim said and asked, “But, from where did you get this?”

“I am indebted to Mohammad Qasim. He gave me this to get my children the new clothes for the festival!” replied Allama, “…And from where did you earn a hundred Dinars, despite hating worldly pleasures?” Allama asked surprisingly.

“To get my children new garments, I took this from the treasurer of this land as a means of loan” Abu Hashim answered in a low voice. Allama Waqdi felt happy, looking at the sacrifices given by his friends for one another.

While the discussion was going on, one of the Caliph’s duteous secret informer heard their words and reported the entire instance to Caliph. Caliph, after going through the entire instance, spoke out of intense embarrassment, “My obedient informers patrolled every street and corner of my state. Regardless of that, I own my own patrolled at nights looking for the problems of my citizens. Despite everything, still, folks suffering from poverty under my ruling manifest my failure in ruling ability. If people are unsatisfied under my administration, then what shall I answer to my Lord on the Day of Resurrection?” Caliph resigned to his entrenched post and got some clothing and other daily necessities from Baithul Maal. He himself carried them on his own back and delivered to the trios household. “How come you learn about our problems?” Allama asked, canopying his stress with a bright smile.

But, embarrassed Caliph’s silence itself was the answer. Children flew on cloud nine on looking at their new garments. Though, Allama’s self-respect didn’t permit them to accept what Caliph has bought, but unwillingly for the sake of his children he accepted. Only after looking at the satisfaction on the faces, Caliph instead of speaking, just asked apology for his unjust ruling before departing. Allama Waqdi stared Caliph not understanding anything.

*****

“The intense fear held for God; the real master” Caliph, by resigning his entrenched post, gave justice to the said maxim. When the servant of the lamp was about to conclude his story, the sky was densely filled with dark clouds. Though Sultan understood the sign of heavy rains, still his eagerness to listen to the story didn’t permit him to vacant the place.

“Listen, boy, He’s not a real brave who showers the arrows on the enemy troop on the battlefield. But, he’s the real brave, who can withstand all his lusts and desires” The servant of lamp taught Sultan, a lesson.

“We can withstand our lusts and desires. But, where are those who can rule nobly?” Sultan protested.

“Yes. Today, the world is respecting only the greatest fool among them. Nuts are gaining laurels and awards. True professionals are dumped in the filthy streets. Today, those who pour their saliva and sell their chastity and respect before the common people in the name of begging the votes, are gaining the esteemed post of administration. Under such rulers, foolish folks like you are living…” before the servant of lamp could complete its sentence, confused sultan intervened and asked, “foolish folks like me… What did I do?” 

Suddenly, lightning flashed very brightly and before blinking of an eye thunder rolled so loudly that it could quake the entire universe.

“Now you’re not safe here. It’s the night! Go back to your home. And remember, Greed is the source of all the sorrows. Whenever you’re in any dilemma, remember the story of those three friends and with patience and sacrifice, face all the obstacles fearlessly!” the servant of the lamp concluded his story. Then, the servant of the lamp, tied obediently both its hand, closed its eyes and dissolved in the air. A divine light shined in the farthest star, at once.

‘Now, it’s of no use by lingering here’ thought Sultan, threw the lamp into the sea and left for his home. It satisfied him that even if others get the lamp, but they’ll not get the servant of the lamp. All the way back to his home, the story said by the servant of the lamp got continuously reverberated in Sultan’s mind.

When Sultan reached home, his mother Aminabi called him and said, “Where had you been, Son? When you went for the prayers, Byari Saheb had come here to wish us the festival’s greetings and gave you a new lungi, shirt, and a prayer cap. Take it… wear it tomorrow”.

“Why Sultan must be punished for our bereaved house? I wish that you people must celebrate the solemn festival joyously he wished and gifted you the new garments” When mother said, Sultan started shedding tears out of joy. But, controlling himself, “No mother! Your son, the Sultan, now has become patient. From now onwards, he can withstand against all the lusts and desires. I don’t want any new clothes. I am satisfied with what I am having. I’ll wear my white shirt tomorrow for the festival” He replied and went into the kitchen for dinner. Mother stood as the rock without understanding anything...