Towards Hope

Chapter 11

One night, after a long day of working in Mr. Mike's garden, I was feeling tired but satisfied with my work. At nine o'clock in the evening, as I was about to sleep, I felt pain in one of my molars. I got out of bed and went to take a painkiller for toothaches, but unfortunately, I couldn't find any. I hadn't noticed that I had run out of painkillers. So, I had to go out to buy another pack of painkillers because the pain was unbearable. I left the house and headed to the pharmacy, which was a bit far from my home, about 15 minutes on foot.

While I was on my way to the pharmacy and almost there, the lights were dim, and the street was nearly deserted. I saw three men trying to assault a girl in a dark corner and heard their screams. My heart raced and I felt anxious. I cautiously approached the sound, and then I saw three men and a girl. One of them was threatening her with a knife, saying, "Hurry up, girl, give me the money, or I will kill you!" They seemed to be drunk from their movements and way of speaking. I felt shocked and scared, but I couldn't stand idly by. I moved toward them slowly and said in a steady voice, "Stop! Leave her alone!"

The surprise came when I got closer to them; the girl was Mr. Johnson's daughter, the girl who always treated me with hostility. The men turned to me with tense looks. One of them, holding the knife tightly, said, "What's your problem, man? Get lost, or you'll be the next victim!" I said, "I won't back off. Leave the girl alone. Can we resolve this without violence?" He laughed mockingly and said, "You are very brave, but you are stupid. This is none of your business." I said, "It is my business. I won't let you harm anyone." But the attacker had no intention of listening. In a split second, he lunged at me and stabbed me twice in the stomach. I felt severe pain and fell to the ground, writhing in pain, then lost consciousness of the world around me.

I woke up after a while to find myself on a hospital bed. Next to me was Mr. Johnson's daughter, with a face full of worry and regret, saying to me: "Don't move, you're okay. You're in the hospital, you're safe." I felt a bit relieved upon hearing those words. The room was lit with dim, calm lighting, and the smell of medical disinfectants filled the place. I looked around, trying to remember what happened, but the pain in my stomach made me rethink. After a few minutes, Mr. Johnson entered the room, his face heavy with worry, and said in a voice filled with sadness: "Taym, I don't know how to thank you for what you did. You saved my daughter and I owe you my life. I deeply apologize for what happened to you because of her." I replied, in a weak and effortful voice: "It's okay, Mr. Johnson. The important thing is that your daughter is fine." Mr. Johnson said with sadness and a broken voice: "You have proven to all of us your bravery and nobility. We will always be grateful to you."

Four days passed and I received a call from my family, but I didn't want to make them worry, so I kept it from them. I was recovering slowly. Mr. Johnson's daughter visited me regularly, and I also can't forget Uncle Johnson and his friend Mike. Uncle Johnson's daughter brought flowers and homemade food, but she didn't say any words though the embarrassment was clear on her face.

During one of the visits, and without warning, she said: "Listen, I want to apologize to you for what happened to you because of me. And thank you for saving me." I replied with a warm smile: "No need to thank me. The important thing is that you are okay. This is fate from God." Then she said to me: "I want to ask you a question." I said: "Sure, go ahead." She said: "Why did you save me even though I always insulted and despised you? And doesn't your religion tell you to blow up and kill the infidels? Also, my father told me that you found our family's jewellery box. You could have taken and sold it without anyone knowing because it's worth a lot. You wouldn't have needed to work anymore, but you didn't take it. Even my father didn't understand why you did that. I've been thinking about the reason for your actions but couldn't find a logical explanation. How could you risk your life for me, especially since I was never kind to you? Please answer me honestly."

I said to her: "Are you ready to listen to me until the end without interrupting?" She said: "Yes, of course. This time I will listen to you. Go ahead, tell me the truth."

I said to her: "Okay, let me introduce myself first. My name is Taym. I came here because I received a scholarship to complete my university studies here. Since I would need money for clothes and other needs, I had to find a job that would provide for my expenses. So, I looked for a job until I saw an advertisement from Uncle Johnson for working in his garden and taking care of it. I came and found that Uncle Johnson is a kind person, so I decided to work with him."

As for the jewellery, I could have taken it without anyone noticing, but I didn't, and I would never do such actions. My religion does not teach me these things. Stealing is forbidden in Islam, and it is one of the greatest sins. Regarding your statement that Islam or Muslims blow themselves up and kill infidels, this is certainly not part of Islam. Even if some ignorant Muslims do it, killing in Islam is a greater sin than stealing. Allah says in the Holy Quran, which is the book of Muslims: (33) And do not kill the soul [i.e., person] which Allāh has forbidden, except by right.[ And whoever is killed unjustly - We have given his heir authority, but let him not exceed limits in [the matter of] taking life. Indeed, he has been supported [by the law]. [Al-Isrā':33]

And he also says: (32) Because of that, We decreed upon the Children of Israel that whoever kills a soul unless for a soul[ or for corruption [done] in the land - it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves one - it is as if he had saved mankind entirely. And Our messengers had certainly come to them with clear proofs. Then indeed many of them, [even] after that, throughout the land, were transgressors. [Al-Mā'idah:32]

Killing a person, regardless of their religion, race, or affiliation, without just cause, is considered as killing all of humanity, and conversely, whoever saves a life, it is as though he had saved all of humanity."

She said: "Is this really what Islam says? Please tell me, what about bombing and killing infidels?" I answered her: "Yes, you can find everything in the Quran. Regarding bombings, it is considered suicide, and it is also forbidden in Islam. Allah the Exalted says: (29) O you who have believed, do not consume one another's wealth unjustly but only [in lawful] business by mutual consent. And do not kill yourselves [or one another]. Indeed, Allāh is to you ever Merciful. [An-Nisā':29]

As for killing infidels, Islam does not command the killing of non-Muslims without justification. The misunderstanding arises from the actions of extremist groups that misinterpret religious texts to serve their own agendas. Islam promotes peace, justice, and mercy to all of humanity.

Being a Muslim, I follow these teachings, and this is why I couldn't and wouldn't have taken your family's jewellery, and why I risked my life to save you. I couldn't stand by and let harm come to you, even if you had mistreated me. This is the essence of my faith."

It is forbidden to kill ourselves. Also, killing infidels or non-Muslims in general is also forbidden unless they intend to kill us, in which case we must defend ourselves because it is our right to defend ourselves. Allah Almighty says in this regard: (190) Fight in the way of Allāh those who fight against you but do not transgress. Indeed, Allāh does not like transgressors. [Al-Baqarah:190]

Do you see that we have no right to assault others? Also, Allah Almighty says: (125) Invite (people) to the way of your Lord (O Prophet and believers) with wisdom and good admonition and argue with them [with those who disagree] with what is best [gently and kindly]! Verily, your Lord knows better (the situation) of those who have strayed from His path, and He knows better those who follow the true path!. [An-Nahl:125]

Indeed, Allah commands us to argue with non-Muslims in the best manner and not to wrong anyone.