Real-life accounts of people who faced hardship but refused to compromise on their values.
Khilafat-e-Rashida is no more, where the needy were the top concern for the rulers. Today’s Muslim governments are neglecting and exploiting the needy. Under one such system, sister S.A.’s family was facing massive financial problems: over 100,000 dirhams in her brother’s visa-related fines and renewals for documents. The family had no regular income, but their late father had left them with Islamic upbringing.
I would see S.A. and her mother composed. They would constantly make Dua and Dhikr, mentioning that Allah (swt) is Gahfoor and Raheem, Rahman and Raheem. S.A would say: “This amount is no problem for Allah (swt); He has promised that ‘those who trust in Me, I will be with them,’ and that we should not despair of His mercy.” They would pray to Allah (swt) to give them from His treasures.
Once, S.A. was offered a tempting 5,000 dirhams for just five days of work at some exhibition. She asked them if she could wear her Hijab there. When they refused, she turned down the offer. Subhan’Allah, in a turn of events, S.A’s own local sponsor agreed to pay a big chunk of their fines, in return for her brother working for him. Their worries are not over, but their submission to Allah (swt) continues.
Umm Musa
UAE
“Rasheed, come home immediately. Your father has gone blind,’’ my mother phoned me from Multan in 1980. I was then in the army at Lahore. I rushed to Multan, and the doctor informed me that my father had suffered from haemorrhage. His vision would revive gradually, but it would be very weak. I returned to Lahore after one week.
We are five brothers and three sisters, all married. All brothers, except myself, had jobs abroad. To live with my parents, I applied for a posting on compassionate grounds to my home station, Multan. It was rejected by the GHQ. I then applied for voluntary retirement and left the army within three months. In Multan, I hunted for a job but in vain. I requested my younger brother to return and live with my parents. When he returned, I left for Karachi and later – Saudi Arabia. However, despite my best effort, I found no suitable job.
In 1982, my friend offered me a job, which paid little but had a lot of potential in terms of bribery. I refused. For some time, I ran a garments’ business but was later hoodwinked by my partner. There came a time when I contemplated pulling my two children out of school. However, our patience bore fruit when first, my brothers helped us out financially and later, I got a job that took care of our immediate expenses. Seven years later, out of the blue, I got a job offer from the Middle East, which I accepted. It has been nineteen years now. Allah (swt) has continued to shower His blessings upon me. He has blessed me with good health, wealth and respect.
Muhammad Rasheed
Middle East
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