Sa'eed - The Warrior

The last rites

I walk right into the bedroom with my head held high and try to project a powerful image but all my efforts come to naught as I realise the room is empty. It is a vast chamber and very much prettier than others I had been in. It was 5 times the size of my hut. Such a lot of waste for one man.

The bed is huge and can accommodate 5 people at once. Abundant pillows and cushions are placed on one side. It has exquisite embroidery threaded with silk. The curtains around the bed are pulled back and tied with golden strings. Full length windows are located on either side of balcony. One corner of the room has couches and sofas with a round table in between. The table is overflowing with custard apples and pistachios. Other fruits have been pushed to a corner as if the diner did not have much interest in them. The floor was carpeted.

There were 2 curtains at 2 corners. One of them led outside. And the other opening would lead to a personal hammam and a dressing room. There were cupboards made of sandalwood and designed with ivory which were all locked. An ivory stand held swords and daggers, some of them studded with gems and were lethal looking.

What caught my interest was a tapestry which covered half of the wall opposite to the bed. On it were woven the ayahs (verses) of the Holy Quran.

متي نصر الله اﻻ ان نصر الله قريب
ومكرو ومكر الله والله خير المكرين
لا يكلف الله نفسا اﻻ وسعها
ان للمتقين مفازا
واستعينوا باالصبر واصلوة
ان مع العسر يسرا

{Their translations have been mentioned for the benefit of readers

Where is the help of Allah? Indeed the help of Allah is near (2:214)

And they plan, and Allah plans. Indeed Allah is the best of planners. (3:54)

Allah does not burden a soul more than it can bear (2:286)

Indeed for the God conscious there is supreme fulfillment in store (78:31)

And seek help through patience and prayer (2:45)

Verily with every hardship comes ease (94:6)}

I was speechless. Was this a mere co-incidence that the Shehzada had these specific ayahs in his bedroom? Did he stumble upon this tapestry in a market and buy it? Or did he order it to be made and included these ayahs himself? If he did, why did he select only the ayahs pertaining to struggle from among the thousands of ayahs which the Holy Quran had to offer. Come to think of it, I didn't even know if he had learnt enough religion to know the ayahs from Quran.

Chachu had told me that the best tutors had been hired for the education of the Shehzada but he took it very lightly, studying at his leisure and not taking much care.

I am startled by the sound of the Muezzin calling for Isha Salah. I make my way behind the tapestry, making sure I am completely hidden, I offer my salah there. For a Muslim, there is no life without salah. It is through salah he strengthens his faith and derives his courage. When performed exactly like how it should be performed, keeping in mind all the prerequisites and conditions, there is nothing more spiritually rejuvenating than salah. A strange serenity descends down on the heart and special mercy of Allah encompasses it. It is the best way of escaping from the burdens of this world and losing oneself into the beauty of the creator.   

I hear loud gongs from the battlements near the entrance of the palace. They are usually sounded to gather people in case of announcements. So, Mir Jafar is finally ready to disclose the death of Shehenshah to the people, is he? I move to the balcony to get a view.

People throng in front of the gates. They are discussing in excited whispers the cause for this sudden gathering. Just above the gates of the palace is a wide patio on which the king usually stands to address people in times of need. I now see Mir Jafar standing there. The crowd falls silent.

"My beloved people, it is with deep regret I inform you that our reverend Shehenshah, Sharf-ud-din Muhammad Hyder is no more".

There is a violent outburst from the crowd. There is shouting, screaming and wailing. The subjects sure loved their king. His reign was peaceful as there had been no wars. Little did they know it had all been crumbling from within.

I could now see soldiers carrying the body of Shehenshah on the patio. It had already been bathed and shrouded. They place it on the spot Mir Jafar had stood so that people could pay their last respects. I saw the Shehzada, royal family members, ministers and soldiers take their places behind the body with their heads bowed. The crowd fell into revered silence. Silent sobs could still be heard. The royal Imam led the janazah salah and made a dua for the peace of the soul of Shehenshah, invoking God to overlook his follies and grant him entrance into Jannah.

After he finished Mir Jafar stepped up.

"My beloved people our Shehenshah has gone to a better off place where he will no longer be burdened with responsibilities. His absence will pain us but we must learn to be patient. This is the time an enemy might take advantage of. I implore you all to be alert and patient till the court crowns the new king."

An enemy is sure taking advantage of the situation Mir Jafar, I think to myself. But there are good people still left in this world and as long as they breath your scheming is in vain. How the people blindly trusted him. I will pull down this veil and expose his evil heart even if it takes my life!

The body of the Shehenshah is carried away for burial followed by a few select individuals while the grief stricken crowd dispersed. I go back into the Shehzada's bedroom, hide behind the tapestry and wait for his arrival.