Superman Elseworlds: 'In the Name of...'

Chapter 5: Odyssey (part 1)

'Every day I pray for forgiveness for my failing in being able to help so many others.

'I hear the accounts…the attacks…the seductions…the misguidance…and, lately, about a boy in blue. As much as I spend my time with my books, I am still a part of this world.'

The Mufti was shaking and his beautiful voice was breaking. He turned to Ishy, smiled, and ruffled Ishy's hair.

'Ismail. Ishmail. 'God hears'…and understands, and will respond in our times of need.

'He heard when your parents called to Him, and He gave them you.

'He heard when this city and its people called to Him…and He gave them the boy in blue.'

He turned back to the window and stood there quietly for a while.

'I once read of the idea that there is enough music in the world already, and that all we have to do is listen a little bit more carefully.' The Mufti turned to look directly at Ishy as he said this. I have to admit, I was quite surprised to hear the Mufti making a reference to John Cage. Music's a touchy subject, and a lot of scholars and imams are of the view that it's forbidden, so hearing the Mufti make this kind of reference was…intriguing. It was easy to understand what he (and John Cage) had meant, but it was the fact that he had made such a direct reference that tugged at me.

'There is,' said Ishy, a little breathlessly. 'I can hear the rhythms and the timbre and the elements. I've…learned to block a lot of it out…filter it and focus only on what I think or feel is necessary, but, as I said, sometimes I let go and open myself up and I listen and I hear…'

'Laughter and hope, and cries for help?'

'Y-yes.'

'And do you? Help them?'

'I-if…w-when I can.'

'And the ones you cannot or…won't help?'

I saw Ishy slump when the Mufti said those words - 'Won't help' – and I felt a wave of anger wash over me. I've seen Ishy help those in need, often without them ever knowing, but he's barely eleven years old; he's not supposed to shoulder the responsibilities he has already taken, let alone the ones those words implied.

'I'm sorry, Beta. That was uncalled for. We all make choices but…if I didn't know you to be honest, to be trustworthy, these…fantastic things you're telling me…'

The Mufti went quiet, and I think all of us held our breaths. I looked at Ishy and saw him staring at the floor, his shoulders slumped.

'There is much for me to think about. For now, it may be best if you-'

'You can't throw him out of the school!' I interrupted.

The Mufti looked at me and smiled. 'Beta Kamran, I would never throw him out. He is here for a reason, Alhumdulillah, but…determining that reason…

'Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala tells us in Surah an Naml that 'none in the heavens and the earth knows the Ghayb except Allah'. The 'Ghayb' is the Unseen, but the Ghayb of now is not the same as the Ghayb of centuries ago. Ghayb is relative. Centuries ago, for example, bacteria was unseen even though the effects could be seen; now we can see bacteria through the use of equipment – since we don't have eyes like young Ishmail – which means although bacteria is 'ghayb' in a general sense it is not 'ghayb' in an absolute sense. It is relative.

'Al-Ghayb al-Mutlaq is that which is unseen in the absolute sense – that which is known only to Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala. All knowledge is given by Him. Language, scientific discoveries…everything. It is only known through His permission. Yes, various people have put in certain efforts but it is only when He allows that knowledge to become known to them that it becomes so.'