Due For Inheritance (D. U. I)

Chapter 7

“Asalam Alaykum warahmotullah wabarakatuhu, what’re you doing here? You’ve left the mosque behind”. Baasim said beaming from ear to ear.

“Wa Alaykum Salam warahmotullah. Muhammad replied. I actually know where the mosque is but I’m here to see you today.”

“You’re here to see me?” he asked puzzled. “Is there any problem?”

“Nothing much really, I’m here to give you an offer if you don’t mind and I’ll be pleased if you accept the offer.”

“Please hold on and let me close back the kiosk, so, I can take you inside the house.” He immediately started rushing up to pack up his wares.

Muhammad wanted to ask him to never mind taking him inside because the building looked like it was going to collapse any moment but at the same time, he didn’t want to offend his new friend so he agreed and started chanting an Adhkaar. He remembered an Islamic cleric who mentioned that whosoever recited “laqodi jaakum, the Qur’an chapter 9 verse 128-129 of the Quran, shall be exempted from those that would die that day. Though he hadn’t actually checked to find out the authenticity of that statement but he had been chanting the verses every day since then. Now that he wasn’t certain about his coming out of the house alive, he began reading the verse quietly on repeat like a broken record.

When Baasim finally finished with his packing and led him inside, he almost declined but decided to trust in Allah. After all the poor boy has been living there with his father for years and they’re still both alive. Shockingly, when they got to the compound, he saw that they were not the only occupants of the building, several people were there and they were all assigned to a room each. In fact, they were even preparing good meals if he judged from the scintillating aroma thrilling his nostrils.

Baasim knocked and entered without a reply and directed him to a seat on the floor where a mat was placed. It was after Muhammad sat on the mat, trying to find a comfortable position that Baasim pulled the old curtain aside to allow some lightning and ventilation into the room and that was when Muhammad noticed his father. He couldn’t help his reaction and gasped out loudly and thereafter looked apologetic at Baasim.

Baasim didn’t utter a word. He understood the man’s reaction. Everyone has given similar reactions whenever they met his father for the first time but with time they get used to it and see him as just another person.

Muhammad felt bad about his reaction but no one had warned him about whom or what he was coming here to see. When scientist claimed that human beings evolved from ape, he hadn’t stop cursing them annoyingly due to such ridiculous statements but Baasim’s father had just proven that right.

He couldn’t help but think that the man is ugly. All through his life, he had tried to keep away from condemning people’s looks because he knew that Almighty Allah had created both the pretty and the ugly and no one is superior over the other in his sight except by his deeds. He reminded himself of this and acted natural but now, he didn’t know if his main cause of disability is just blindness like those who directed him to Baasim house had said or if it were combination of several things but he’s about to find out anyway.

He got back his confidence and greeted the man but he received no acknowledgement. “Sorry about that but he can’t hear you and that was why he didn’t reply”. Baasim explained to him and he simply nodded his head.

“Can i get you anything?” Baasim tried again.

“No, thank you. I’m good. Can you tell me about your father’s disability? What actually is wrong with him? Has he always been like this?”

“No, of course not. My dad is blind, deaf as well as mute but none of his conditions is permanent. I was told that his disabilities is in fact curable but I don’t have the means to have him hospitalized. I’ll do that as soon as I can afford it Insha Allah”. Baasim explained and he looked totally serious about it.

“Do you mind if I help you out with that? Getting him treated I mean”. Muhammad offered.

Baasim was speechless. He never imagined receiving that kind of offer and he immediately became defensive. ‘nothing is free in this world’. He thought and he replied, “and what would you get from it because I don’t think I have the means to repay you".

Muhammad had a proud smile on his face when he heard this. “You don’t have to repay me. I’m doing this for the sake of Allah alone. I’ve seen you as a promising young man and I know that you have a better future ahead of you Masha Allah. I simply want to help you out a little. That’s all”

“If you’re sure about that, then I have no reason to refuse”. Baasim quickly concluded and they talked about everything in general before Muhammad took his leave. He gave him a small cell phone that he could contact him with and took his leave. Immediately he left, Baasim went to sujood (prostration) to give thanks to Allah.

One more chapter to go bi idhnillah

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