Sa'eed - The Warrior

Blessings

Snap! My sandals finally break.

"Inna lillahi was inna ilaihi rajioon* (Verily we belong to Allah and to him we shall return)". I recite the ayah to myself.

I remember the hadith that Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) used to ask from Allah when the sole of his sandal broke. I decide to do the same. Raising my hands in supplication, I say "O Allah! Lord of the worlds. Please bless me better than what I have lost from your never ending treasures and guide me to the straight path".

I cover the rest of the distance barefoot. Carrying food for Shehzada I crawl my way into the tunnel. Considering the number of times I have taken this path I should be used to it by now. But I still hate every bit of it except for the scent of dust. I take in deep breaths and savour the smell of damp mud. Crazy? Maybe I am!

As usual I try to make myself presentable before entering. I am dirtier than usual having walked barefoot. And as usual embarrassed to present myself so shabbily in front of Shehzada but I have no choice. A sudden thought strikes me. When I am so bothered about presenting my muddy self in front of Shehzada, then how can I be ready to present my filthy soul in front of Allah, the King of Kings? Allahu Akbar! May Allah save me from having to face that situation. I realize my soul needs dusting just as my clothes do.

I reach out for the latch that opens the false back. I am about to knock to make my presence felt when I stop. A melodious voice hits me!

Someone is reciting Surah Rahman* in a very beautiful voice. With perfect tajweed* and enchanting melody, there are few who master this art so well. I stop and let the sound fill my soul. My hair stand on their end and tears flow from my eyes as I hear ayah after ayah.

حُوۡرٌ مَّقۡصُوۡرٰتٌ فِى الۡخِيَامِ

(55:72) There shall be maidens sheltered in tents

فَبِاَىِّ اٰلَاۤءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبٰنِۚ‏

(55:73) Which of the favours of your Lord will  – you men and jinn – then deny?

لَمۡ يَطۡمِثۡهُنَّ اِنۡسٌ قَبۡلَهُمۡ وَلَا جَآن

(55:74) No man or jinn ever touched them before.

فَبِاَىِّ اٰلَاۤءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبٰنِۚ‏

(55:75) Which of the favours of your Lord will – you men and jinn – then deny?

مُتَّكِــِٕيۡنَ عَلٰى رَفۡرَفٍ خُضۡرٍ وَّعَبۡقَرِىٍّ حِسَانٍ‏

(55:76) They shall be reclining on green cushions and splendid carpets.

فَبِاَىِّ اٰلَاۤءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبٰن‏

(55:77) Which of the favours of your Lord will – you men and jinn – then deny?

تَبٰـرَكَ اسۡمُ رَبِّكَ ذِى الۡجَـلٰلِ وَالۡاِكۡرَامِ

(55:78) Blessed be the name of your Lord, the Lord of Majesty and Glory.

"We certainly cannot deny any of Allah's blessings!", I say out loud as the recitation comes to an end.

Not bothering to knock I enter quietly. Sitting on a musalla* with the Holy Quran resting on a rihal* in front of him is the Shehzada lost in his own world. He is dressed in white and numerous candles are lit near him. The sight looked peaceful and magical.