The Muslim Youth...

In the Name of Allah the Most Gracious the Most Merciful...

Wheat or Barley? - By Thajim Ahmed

There once lived a pious man who was enslaved to a wicked master. The righteous slave wanted to teach his master a lesson that he would never forget: a lesson that would make him change his ways. The master told him one day to plant some wheat. The slave took this opportunity to teach his master a lesson. He went and collected some barley seeds and planted them. As the season drew nearer, the master was enraged to find that after all this hard work and all this time his slave had planted the wrong seeds. In his rage and anger, he scolded the slave saying, "Why did you do this?" The righteous slave said, "I hoped that the barley would come out as wheat." The master said, "How can you plant barley and expect wheat to grow." The slave said quietly, "How can you disobey Allah and expect His Mercy? How can you openly challenge His Deen and hope for Jannah?" The master was stunned and became silent. He understood what the slave was trying to tell him and said, "You have taught me something today that I have never realised. You are free for the sake of Allah."

--------------------oooooooooooooooooooooooo------------------

Infectious:

It is break time at school. Ali is watching Mahmoud walk along the corridor with a group of ‘friends’; they are all laughing loudly. Bashir joins Ali.

Bashir: What’s wrong Ali? Why do you look so upset?(Bashir looks towards Mahmoud who is with his ‘friends’.) Oh! I see…

Ali: It’s not because Mahmoud has gone off with other boys - he’s in bad company! And I know he’s going to get into trouble one day. I’m so worried…

Bashir: Why did Mahmoud go off with those boys? I didn’t think they were his type! Doesn’t he know that they always swear at teachers and watch dirty movies and steal?

Ali: Well, someone told him that he was really sad, so he’s changed recently. He doesn’t come to the Mosque very often, he doesn’t…

Bashir: OK. Why don’t you talk to him?

Ali: It’ll be difficult, but I’ll try…

Mahmoud is in the headmaster’s office.

Headmaster: This is the first time that I am seeing you. Now Mahmoud, I would never have believed for one second that you would be the type to bully anybody.

Mahmoud: But I didn’t! It wasn’t me, it was…

Headmaster: Yes?

Mahmoud: Nothing.

In fear of betraying his ‘friends’, Mahmoud does not mention their names.

Headmaster: I’m assuming that you and all your friends took part in bullying but if you weren’t involved say so! Mahmoud: I wasn’t involved!

Headmaster: But you were present when they were bullying?

Mahmoud: Well, yes!

Headmaster: And you didn’t attempt to stop your friends? You mean that you didn’t do or say anything in protest?

Mahmoud: I did! I told them to stop, but they didn’t.

Headmaster: Really?

Mahmoud: Yes, yes. They wouldn’t listen.

Headmaster: And then you just watched them bullying…

Mahmoud: Well - no. I tried to find a teacher; but - erm…I did not see anybody and when I rushed back, all my friends had disappeared!

Headmaster: And did you profit from bullying this boy? What did you get out from him? Money?

Mahmoud: As I said, I am not a bully!

Headmaster: Of course not. You associate yourself with bullies, you watch someone get bullied, but as you say, you are not a bully? Mahmoud, if I were as thick as a plank I would believe you. Sometimes the one who apologizes and ‘gives in’ is braver than the one who lies to defend himself. I will send a letter to your parents and I expect to see you here on Saturday for detention.

Ali sees Mahmoud on the bus, so he starts to talk to him.

Ali: Assalam-alaikum, Mahmoud. How are you?

Mahmoud: Wa-alaikum-assalam. I feel so bad. I don’t know what to do! I bullied a boy, and then I lied to the headmaster several times and now my parents will find out because a letter is going to be sent home. Then I will be in so much trouble and I will get a Saturday detention. Oh, Ali, I should’ve listened to you. It’s so difficult not to become like those whom you associate with! Oh, I will never be forgiven!(Meanwhile Ali tries to calm Mahmoud down.)  I’ve let down my religion, my parents, teachers and even you! I’m so sorry, Ali!

Ali: Don’t worry! I know it’s difficult when people call us sad because we are not like them, but as you now know, Infectious becoming like them creates more trouble and worries. They do not care whether we approve of their behaviour or not, so why should we be bothered if they do not approve of us?!

Mahmoud: The Prophet (SAW) said "If you keep company with wrongdoers, you will eventually become like them." But Ali, I ignored that! I even read in An-Noor Issue 61 that the Prophet (SAW) said that "Individuals follow the same way of life and thinking as their close friends, therefore let each of you be careful about who he is taking as a close friend." But even after knowing that, I went astray!

Ali: Mahmoud, if you continued to be their friend, you might have started smoking or taking drugs. Thank Allah that it’s not too late.

Mahmoud: I know! I’ve learnt a lifetime’s lesson.

Ali: What?

Mahmoud: If you lie once, you have to lie again to cover up the first lie and lie again to cover up the second lie. And thus, someone can say 10 lies consecutively!

Ali: And liars can never be Muslims!

Mahmoud: Exactly! I also learnt that I should never stop being your best friend! You’re always there when I need you!

Ali: Well, what else are friends for, eh?

--------------------oooooooooooooooooooooooo------------------

<< Previous    [1]  2    Next >>