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.