"There's nothing that'll last forever.. Except His face.. So seek Him.
If you understand this, then you're (truly)free.."
-Hilya's Diary
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PART TWO(Ramadan day 15)
The greatest gathering held annually in Qalb-ul-Ard was the Grand Qur'an Ramadan Competition, also known as the GQRC.
The tournament lasted for the whole month of Ramadan, with preliminaries occurring within the first ten days at the respective cities.
The following ten days were set for the second stage of the tournament which was celebrated in two parts.
The first part of which took place at Tâ Sîn for the southern cities, and Yâ Sîn for the northern cities. All of this occurred for a day, one on the eleventh, and the other, the thirteenth.
After this was the main part of the second stage, held at Hâ Mîm. At this competition, the southern and northern provinces, had their teams come together in a celebration of Al Qur'an.
With its conclusion, the numerous teams that participated yearly would have been brought down to only seven!
The tournament was arranged in such a way that, of the seven teams that stood at the finals in Madinatu Anwâr, each represented a Province!
Representing teams didn't necessarily originate from the main cities. Sometimes periphery villages and towns had stronger teams which would represent the entire Province.
But sometimes even, a whole provincial city was kicked out!
Thus, this gathering was second in the whole Country, only to the finals to be held at the Capital!
...
Five judges sat at the high tables, amidst various dignitary figures.
Dozens of teams, representing the various halaqât and madaaris of the Country sat under their respective banners and cities.
Many were those who came to watch among men and women, the old and the young, the peasant and the nobles, the scholars and the laymen, everyone was present at AnNahas of Hâ Mîm.
Countless spectators, overflowing within the Colosseum in a cacophony of voices!
This was the Great Gathering of Hâ Mîm!
The audience crowded in and about of the Colosseum. Even those who were outside were innumerable. The whole spectacle was like an agitated swarm on an anthill. People would definitely be found in the gathering from every nook and cranny of the land.
The moment the main speaker began his speech, silence reigned, for all wanted to hear what was to be said.
The foreign man with red hair was no stranger to them. Every land knew him as Âyatullah Al Hamdy. In people's hearts, he was Defender of the poor and Seeker after justice..A compassionate mujâhid.
Also, he was a Lover of Al Qur'an, and the one who hyped and named famous Quraa aforetime.
After giving the encomium and then sending salawât on the Rasul, alayhis-Salaam, he began,
"People say Al Qalb-ul-Ard is a land of wonder and faith.. They say, when one has a fate with Al Qur'an, one would certainly find himself in this land..
Many people have not understood. And how many have sought enlightenment, but remained distant..
I come from a land yonder from here..you all know.
I was on a visit to an old-time friend of mine, when the invitation came, - to host the second part of the grand tournament!
Alhamdulillah.. even though I'm not liked particularly by many officials in and yonder of this town, and, many a scholar would rather avoid me.. I do have a conscience not to refuse such an honour"He smiled smugly, looking around. The officials scoffed, turning their faces. The scholars had placid expressions on.
As he watched everyone around, his eyes locked with one individual who stared at him in overt shock. You??
He smiled, carrying on,
"The GQRC is one thing about this land that keeps me coming here, every single year among others.
Thus, given such a chance, I dare not shun away."He said sombrely, though it was obvious he was pulling his adversaries toes.
"Hâ Mîm.. It is here that the domains of Al Qur'an have been opened in times before..
Phases of enlightenment that are so profound that, all who are pulled into the divine worlds of Al Qur'an, seek to stay there abadaa(forever) and never return to the mundane world.
Since I first came to Al Qalb-ul-Ard, I've witnessed only five!
Only five Quraa have ever opened those worlds of contemplation, here in this very land for all people to witness its glory! That was decades ago.."
Everybody sucked in a breath of anticipation, as if they all could remember that time in the past, and the euphoria such a competition had presented aforetime.
Then his voice turned light,"Sadly though, the competition being held annually, has yet to appear, among the newer generations.. one who opens the domains once again.
Today.. is a new day..
This generation ..is a fresh new one.. Old leaves fall away at Autumn.. But new ones must bloom, come another season. After winter, ..comes spring.
In my heart, I believe, there are some here who are capable of opening the domains of Qur'an contemplation..
So revered people! Let the new sprouts bloom this season!
Hâ Mîm, join me to begin the celebration of our Holy Book!!!!!"
Simultaneously, the whole stadium reverberated with an uproar as would travel far and wide in omnidirectional paths. People shouted in loud ovations as others had the takbeerât resounding throughout the stadium in their loudest voices.
Hâ Mîm was moved. Not a single heart, but was in fervent anticipation of what was to come. Some eyes even shed involuntary tears among those who witnessed the one that occurred decades ago.
The gathering was now ready to begin..
Within the middlemost of the Colosseum was a disc-shaped green pavilion, shining like an emerald ring. The gold and silver swirls in arabesque, danced along its circular perimeter, adorning it richly.
Though famous scholars and high officials of the city and beyond, occupied the seats within this pavilion, one particular spot had been reserved.
Actually, you could see that, the particular place reserved was occupied by a special group. Five people sat here..
In the middlemost, was the strangest personage present in the gathering that day. He had a turban, from which descended a red veil, curtaining him from sight!
On either side of him, were the prime judge and the main speaker. Further to the prime judge's free side, was Hâ Mîm's governor. On the other extreme end was the tournament's registrar. Apparently, he was also a scholar. They five, - were the judges of the show!
From the seat of contestants within the pavilion, Ukashah kept staring at the redheaded foreigner. His face was placid, somewhat ..cold.
The competition began without much further a-do.
Teams after teams sat at the middle stage and were examined by the judges in the lessons of tajweed, variations of sawt, their understanding of verses, and the presence of heart.
Many passed through without much as would raise a sincere praise. Soon even, only the registrar and the other judge would talk, the governor saying one or two words once in a while to hearten and encourage the children.
The red stranger and the veiled man would not utter a word. From the disappointment on the foreigner's face, and the yawns of the veiled man, it was obvious the competition wasn't going on as they had expected.
However, from all sides of the Colosseum, the people never stopped cheering for the contestants. For the contestants to have come so far, and their courage to stand to represent their various villages and towns, the crowd would give them their due ovations!
Also, from among the crowd, were proud parents who had come to see their kids perform, friends who were invited over by those participating to witness this important occasion in their life, and even fellow townspeople who would celebrate their own.
The five companions from Tâ Hâ though, were anxious as their turn drew nearer. Where was their Ustadh?
He had not yet returned, and they were starting to worry about him. If it reached their turn, who would introduce them and stand in as their steward. That was one of the various functions of the Mudarrisûn (teachers) who brought their students to participate.
"Why are they doing that?"Zak asked, looking at the bored faces of the judges."Don't they know they can break someone's spirit by that. At least, they should show some interest to give the contestants some encouragement."
"I'm wondering if we really even should be here.."Ukashah said in undertone. Apparently, his mind was lost elsewhere,"Why are we here in the first place?"
"Yes, we do have to be here!"Zak said with emotion,"Have you forgotten how Tâ Hâ has suffered these past few years.. The ostracism.. The rumours.. Even our city's share in the national budget has fallen..
When the council addressed this issue to the Sultan's court, what response was received??
The whole land is bent on this ostracism and oppressing Tâ Hâ. We're an island people, so what? We're from the hinterlands, so what?
Even scholars dare not come there, with all their bishts worn in pride, and their big sermons against oppression..
Tâ Hâ has deteriorated by the day, no one minded. If not for Allah, and then Ustadh, would you think we would ever have had the opportunity to study Qur'an?
Even when our people leave for the mainland, we're treated differently wherever we go!
Enough of this treatment! We're here to show Al Qalb-ul-Ard, that Tâ Hâ is an isle city and a hinterland, but even we, can soar for the heavens and vie with the stars! And we're not a people to be trifled with!"
They could all understand Zak. His father was a councilman of Tâ Hâ, and so he probably would understand something of the affairs of their city and carried strong sentiments towards it.
"We're here to bring back honour for our Tâ Hâ. We're here for our voice to be heard, - not just in the King's court, but the whole of the land would hear it, even as our voices are heard by the denizens of As-Samaa al-ulaa(The Highest Heavens).
..When the Court of Allah hears our call as we recite His Holy Kitâb, which so-called King, and which so-called mainland people dare to disregard us!
"You're right, Zak",Abdul Bâqi said lowly,"We're here to honour our people, so wherever they go from now on, ..they'll be honoured.."
The group went silent when they heard Abdul Bâqi talk in such a low dangerous kind-of tone. For they all knew, what was truly pushing him. These words he just spoke, were only his part-truth.
Abdul Bâqi.. Zayn's dark orbs stared in the direction where he had heard his voice. Of all them five, he had the highest erudite aptitude in everything, dunya or deen..
Even though he's wilful.. That wilful behaviour of his started from that time..
Ustadh said once he's overcome that obstacle in his heart, he'd return to his former self.
Zayn could remember the first encounter he had had with him. That day was in the year he and Ustadh first arrived in South district of Tâ Hâ without Hilya..
"Ustadh.."The six year old Zayn said frightened when he felt something roll up to his feet. He held his Ustadh's hand tightly.
"It's nothing, Zayn."Ustadh laughed calmly. He felt him bend to pick whatever it was.
"Hey Old fogey, give me back my ball."A new voice entered into their periphery. He knew it was a child's voice, a little grown than him.
"It's yours?"Ustadh said. The humour in his voice was unmistakeable.
"Of course it's mine, geezer!"The boy felt unsettled that the man didn't believe him.
"Yaa walad! How am I an old fogey or a geezer? I'm yet in my prime, you know."Zayn knew his Ustadh was only trying to make conversation with the boy. He didn't know what about the boy interested his Ustadh.
"Hehe.. Shukran(Thanks). At this age mister, you must start thinking about your qabr(grave). No one knows when he'll die. Take my words as an admonition.
It might be that what you said is true, but I can already see your beard turning a silvery colour."
"Hahahaa! How thoughtful! How thoughtful! Yaa walad, you talk so wisely about death, and yet I see you engaged in pastime and idle pursuits.
What is a child like you, who talks about 'Aakhirah doing playing the games of the worldly people?"
"Old man, it seems you misunderstood.."The voice smiled into Zayn's ears,"The ball is mine, but I do not use it anymore. At the moment, I've entrusted it to my younger brothers to play. They played it far here into the trees and were afraid to go get it, so I'm here for it."
"Then what do you spend your time doing as they play. Wouldn't you rather teach them something of deen than watch them play?"
"Laa.. If I take it from them, they would cry. They must play for now. Soon enough, they'll come to realize the way themselves.. However, even if I'm to teach them, what would I teach them?
Rarely a scholar passes around, ..in these areas." He didn't know the man in front of him was one, for they were dressed casually.
"Yaa walad, what's your name and tribe?"
"My name's is Abdul Bâqi, the Servant of the Eternal(God). I'm from Banu Aswâd, a branch from Al Baladus-Sulaymân!"
...