When Fire Meets Ice - Completed.

68. V I G I L

A H A D

"I'll be late after Namaz, don't wait for me." I spoke as we drove towards the masjid. Asim, who had been staring out the window, turned to look at me, his gaze holding that quiet seriousness.

Ahmed and Kaif were busy with something in the backseat. Probably Our usual game again!

"Where?"

"I need to talk to the Imam about something important." I answered and he nodded in understanding, not prying further.

The prayers were as peaceful as ever. A needed moment of togetherness with the Creator, when the danger and uncertainty hovered around us.

I whispered against the ground, my voice a humble plea. "Ya Rabb, you know my heart better than I do. You're the owner and controller of what resides in it, please never let arrogance take birth in me. Because, indeed, the ultimate power, pride and grace belongs to You and You alone."

A tear rolled to the floor, a testimony to the uncertainty that filled my chest. No matter how furious or revenge-driven I was, there were boundaries I couldn't cross. I needed to know them.

Just after I was done with my prayers, I smiled as I found the Imam waiting for me. Sohail. We had been friends when we were little and I still remembered those days clearly.

I'd come here with Ahmed and Asim to learn recitation when Sohail's father had been the Imam. He passed away a few years ago, and now his son was carrying the good work forward.

"Assalamu'alaikum. How're you, Ahad?" He greeted me with a bright smile on his face. I greeted back, talking casually with him for a while before coming to my question.

"I wanted to know something." I started and he hummed, nodding for me to go on.

"What are the limits and conditions in Islam when it comes to serving justice or revenge?"

His expressions shifted to something serious, thoughtful as he asked back, "If it is revenge," he quoted the Arabic verse, followed by translation, "Allah says, 'The recompense for an evil deed is an equivalent evil, but forgiving, reconciling, and making amends brings a reward from Allah, as He loves not the oppressors.' You are allowed revenge but forgiving and letting Allah handle it is considered to take you a level higher."

I nodded in understanding before stating the main point, "but this isn't about the past. The person is back in the present, trying to invade my married life and has many other filthy dealings. Some are even illegal and oppressive."

He blinked thoughtfully at that, thinking for a moment before asking me, "What do you plan on doing then?"

"Destroy him for everything he has done in the past and he's doing now."

"What does it bring you? Satisfaction?" He asked further.

I shook my head. "It doesn't matter. He has been the very reason behind my wife's distress, he still is. I have no personal motive other than protecting my family."

He placed a firm hand on my shoulder, voice gentle as he explained, "When someone like him is roaming free, he needs to be stopped. But now that you're stepping into this, keep one thing in mind- If revenge ever becomes a satisfaction or you start believing you're the execution and consequence, step back."

I frowned and he continued, "It's fine as long as you think everything you're doing is by the power and will of Allah. The moment you think the power belongs to you, this fight crosses the boundaries of Islam. Then it's no longer the fight of justice for your wife or the people he might've oppressed, it's then satisfaction to your ego."