Molvi saab and Raseeli; The Whore - My first short story

Molvi saab was the prayer leader in a village mosque of Lalpur, a suburb of Bahawalpur in southern city of Punjab. One day, he was coming back from Masjid after Isha prayer, when he saw a man standing near his home, next to the door of his late neighbor, Sabu Ram. Sabu had died almost 6 months ago in an argument that fired up after he won a gamble. He was shot in head and died on the spot, leaving his only descendent, his widow, Raseeli. Molvi saab used to hear rumors about Raseeli but never paid attention because believing on rumors is prohibited in Islam. She was staying alone and apparently had no means of survival, which made the strangers visiting her home, one of the major reasons of increasing suspicions. He stopped by the stranger who introduced himself as one of Sabu Ram’s cousins and told Molvi saab that he came to give some clothes to Raseeli. As they were talking, Raseeli opened the door and Molvi saab got her glimpse for the first time. She was a young woman with below average looks, wearing a shocking red sari.

To get married with Sabu Ram, Raseeli had run away from her parents’ home and after his death, there was no chance of her going back. Her parents could kill her in the name of honor.  Because of being from minority, staying alone and having bad reputation, neighbors were reluctant to see her and no one ever bothered about her financial problems. She was illiterate and had nobody from her family around, making the living, more difficult. Even Molvi saab who was sharing the same wall, was unaware of Raseeli’s nearly impossible survival.

Time was passing. Molvi saab decided to go to Makkah for Umrah. He already had many pilgrimages in his account and that was just another. As he declared in Masjid about the date of departure, people started coming to his home for greeting and congratulating that he was going to see the Holy place again. He was also very happy. One fine afternoon Raseeli also came to meet him. She expressed her happiness and requested him to pray for her in Makkah. It was surprising that a non-Muslim was asking him for prayers in Makkah. Molvi saab just shook his head but did not commit about praying for her because the question was, how to pray for non Muslims other than wishing them the pure faith. She requested him to pray that Lord gives her strength, forgets her mistakes, ignores her sins and resolves her financial problems. She told him about a few difficulties of her life after her husband’s death and also about the unpaid rent of last four months. She told Molvi saab that there was no one to help her other than the Lord, and that, she was counting every other moment.

When Raseeli was about to leave, Molvi saab offered her 200 rupees. Happiness flashed on her face and she took the money but under emotional stress of mixed feelings, she started crying with tears. Held and kissed his hand and told Molvi saab that he was like her father. She was grateful for the favor and prayed for his long life and health. After reminding for prayer, Raseeli left him thinking. He was thinking how to pray for a non-Muslim and probably a prostitute, other than wishing her the right path. The same question kept striking him until he forgot Raseeli and reached Makkah in a few days.

Like always, Makkah was the same and people were behaving the same way as they would always do. Crying for forgiveness and committing about becoming good Muslims. Molvi saab performed Umrah and prayed for the prosperity of every Muslim.

One day was left for his flight when after an Asar prayer, he started counting the total money he had spent for Umrahs and Hajjs, since ever. It was over 3 Million rupees. He felt really satisfied on spending his earnings in the best way anyone could and thanked the Lord for giving him that much, because he knew that not everyone could earn and spend 30 Lakhs in Pakistan. Suddenly Raseeli’s helpless face flashed in his thoughts, telling him that she had not paid the rent for last four months. He also remembered her happiness when he gave her 200 rupees and only then he realized his mistake. That day, she came to ask for financial help.

Undoubtedly, Raseeli was facing hard times being alone and poor. She, being Molvi saab’s neighbor, had more right on him than anyone but unfortunately, he did not understand that at the right time. He knew that poverty could lead to even changing the faith. Becoming a slattern because of poverty was certainly a punishable crime but not worse than ignoring another person dying of hunger. It could be a murder. At that moment, in Makkah, he understood what he never did for his whole life. He never thought of helping Raseeli. He used to see strangers visiting her home but never realized the reason. Everyone thought she was a bad woman, but no one understood why? They were selfish and just looking after their own problems. Molvi saab was also one of them, running after heaven and indirectly letting Raseeli become a prostitute. He regretted of not paying attention and thought he could have at least paid her home rent. The next moment he decided to help her and requested the Lord for another chance.

After two days Molvi saab reached back. He collected one of his wife’ bracelets and went to Raseeli’s home. He thought that help could make her convert to Islam as well. Her door was locked. Molvi saab stood there for some time, clueless, until another neighbor told him the news. Raseeli had committed suicide. Whore had died three days ago, the same day when Molvi saab had decided to help her and requested the Lord for another chance.

He did not get another chance to change Raseeli but her suicide changed him. Since then, Molvi saab has not been to Makkah again. Raseeli’s death transformed him from a typical pious Molvi, running after heaven, to a social worker. He sold his land and started a charity. Now he continuously takes care of poor widows, regardless of their religion. He also teaches people that only one Hajj and Umrah is enough for them and motivates them to let another person go next time. He cannot bring Raseeli back but hopefully, will not let another woman become Raseeli.