The Raging Wildfire

THE.LAST.DAY

The Messenger of Allah pbuh said, "The stronger believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, although both are good. Strive to seek that which will benefit you, rely on Allah and do not feel helpless."

In this context, the first and foremost fields in which one should strive in achieving excellence, competing and attaining the first positions are the family, school and university. In these institutions, parents and teachers are key players. They play great role in nurturing the young generations and spurring their resilience. This can be achieved by encouraging them, following up on their academic achievements, developing their talents and nurturing the principles of good conduct deep in their minds and souls.

As a result, our young generations will grow on the love of excellence. Truly, children are trusts in the custody of their parents who can guide them to all that which is good.

Having this in mind, you are urged, dear worshipers, to devote your energy to achieve excellence and attain advanced places in our worldly life. You should also promote the love of excellence amongst your daughters and sons.

That is said, please bear in mind that you are instructed to invoke peace and blessings on the Prophet pbuh. Allah, the Most Sublime, says, "indeed, Allah confers blessing upon the Prophet, and His angels [ask Him to do so]. O you who have believed, ask [Allah to confer] blessing upon him and ask [Allah to grant him] peace." (Al-Ahzab: 56).

On the same matter, the Prophet pbuh said, "For everyone who invokes a blessing on me will receive ten blessings from Allah."

O Allah, please confer Your blessings and grant peace upon our Prophet Muhammad pbuh, his family and all of the companions.

The talk by the renowned scholar had come to an end which had motivated her yet again to pursue her studies. She had completed her grade 12th, but wished to do her bachelors &  masters in English  too. But the people of her village seemed to be the most cruel as they had tried to hinder her parents from sending  her to university for further studies by implanting in their minds the negativities of girls pursuing higher studies.

After a lot of pleadings & promises, along with the scholarship provided by her college, her parents had agreed to send her to the Mirza Ghaalib University.

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"Zuni, Ibti, Rumi!! Can you believe it?? Today is our last day yaar! Is it not like just yesterday that we joined this University??? " with a sad smile playing on her lips, Sabira hugged her friends from behind , who were checking out the mementos given by their juniors.

Giving a sad smile Rumaisa rested her head on her arm.

" Yeah... will miss you all dear." Rumaisa replied with her eyes closed , taking a deep sigh.

Ibtisaam handed her the unwrapped book shaped memento. Taking her seat beside Zunaaisha, she began to read words engraved on it.

The soaring birds ready to return...
Conquering the unknown heights..
On their parents' faces, a smile ...
They wished to light.
Seeking excellence, who strived tireless...
To serve their deen who wished always...
Striding  together with humilty & grace...
For them we pray for success always!

                   -M.A. in Eng(1995-96)

"Beautiful!!" came Sabira's voice, laced with emotions.
Every student was given a different shaped memento with the same poem engraved on it.

"May Allah accept our efforts & make us a source of guidance for the people around us! " Zunaaisha supplicated sincerely.

"Aameen!"A reply in chorus was heard as the other girls joined them to bid their goodbyes. The junior girls too crowded around seeking their autographs.

Teary eyed, they departed, bidding their goodbyes to their teachers, friends and juniors, exchanging their residential and postal addresses with their close friends. The journey back home was not going to be an easy one, leaving the beloved friends who shared a strong bond in the two years.
  
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Mirza Ghalib University , Baharanagar , Hyderabad , was inaugurated in the year 1991, for the Arts & Commerce streams,  having only 250 students in its first year, the number of students now reaching 900+ in its fifth year. The University had separate campuses & hostels for the girls & boys, thus ensuring minimum mingling of sexes and a safe haven for seeking education.

The outgoing batch of M.G university had been a highly appreciated and a famous batch because of their intelligence, activeness and adaptive nature. They had become a source of inspiration to many of their juniors as they helped them cope up with the trials they faced, be it with maintaining good social relationship, observing Salah, hijaab, studies or personal desires.
Though Sabira and Zunaaisha came from remote villages  where the people were little or not at all interested in religion , Both of them attained religious knowledge ,because of personal interest and self study & hence encouraging others too in the same field.

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Sabira, the elder daughter of Late Omar Saheb &  Maimumah Bibi, residing in the zaamin village of Hyderabad had become the first girl to pursue studies after grade 10. Following her footsteps her sister, Khaashiya, too was in her second year of B.com.

Her father  Who had gone against the norms of their village by supporting her decision to continue her studies passed away due to a heart attack
when she was doing her M.A first year.  The death of her beloved father didnot hinder her from completing her studies .

Confronting all alone the criticism of her relatives and the aspersion of the people of her village , she led herself and her younger sister to accomplish their dreams. The dreams which were supposed to be a guiding light for the  budding flowers of her village.

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"Please sister! "She heard a male voice behind her as she made her way towards the bus stop which seemed almost empty except for the  2 lecturers of her university. Speeding her pace , her heart thumping with an unknown fear , she tilted her head to her right in time to see 3 boys clad in their uniform, handing out to her their autograph book. A sense of relief washed over her. 

Turning around to face them, with her gaze lowered , she heard them say," Autograph please!" To which she replied in a low yet firm voice, "Sorry brothers, Autographs are taken from those who mean something to you, to cherish their memories. Whereas I am a 'no one'. Yet, if you are ready to take, here's a small piece of advice I wish to give. 'Be obedient to your parents , never let them down .  Pursue you dreams, never lose hope, and take every step making sure that it wont be a  cause of displeasure of your Lord and your parents. Respect others if you want to be respected. May all your wishes be fulfilled'.

With a nod she turned around , without anymore conversation,  once again towards the bus stop, where the sought bus screeched to a halt.

Taking her seat by the window, she took in each & ever scenery that  went behind as the bus sped forward , towards her destination. A guilt consumed her. The 2 years she spent at the hostel & university, never had she conversed with any male species  , then why today?? Why did she not , just go ahead , leaving them alone?

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HOPE YOU HAVE INVOKED PEACE AND BLESSINGS UPON THE PROPHET (P.B.U.H) AND GAINED YOUR SHARE OF REWARD. ANYWAYS HOW WAS THE FIRST CHAP???

DO LET ME KNOW UR VIEWS &
'VOTE IF U LIKED IT'