Bismillahi Rrahmaan Rraheem.
@khadija_taqiya jazaakillah kheyr Habibty for the companionship. I am blessed to have you as a member of this journey.
Everyone, may Allah grant you all your desires. 💎
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Abdullah and Sulayman had just finished their dinner. Sulayman got up to clear the few dishes they used and then returned to sit with his friend.

“Anha. Now we can talk.” Abdullah said.  They had formed a habit of skipping lunch, so as to save more for Juweyriya’s release and even more for the trio’s journey back home.
Therefore, any discussions were left till after eating.

Often times, Sulayman found himself feeling so bad that Abdullah was stuck there because of him. Had he not spent his money to release him, he would have probably been at the company of his wife and daughter. And as it has forever been, no amount of agony that one personally goes through can be compared to a tiny discomfort one helplessly causes his companion to undergo.

He had mentioned it to Abdullah on several occasions, apologizing and showering a million prayers; all beseeching Allaah to grant him and his family kheyr, only to be nonchalantly dismissed by his brother.

“Didn’t the companions suffer for one another’s sake. Didn’t they endure hardships and swallow pain just to see each other happy.

The muhajiroon in Medina. Despite knowing, the dangers that were to face them by accepting the Prophet may peace be upon him and his companions, despite knowing that they were calling for war all across the Arab peninsula. They didn’t stop.
Why? Because they were doing it for Allah.

That feeling.. Is from Shaytan my brother. Once you Crack your heart open, he finds a good dwelling to squeeze himself in.

What had to be done had to be done. Wouldn’t you have done the same if you were me? Would you want me to keep blaming myself if I were you and you were me?

Don’t worry brother. It will all be fine.”

Abdullah had once given him such a stern speech that left him remarkably speechless and somehow better than he had ever been.

“So, we talked with Sam and agreed to start heavy foods for lunch. I’m not so sure though.”

He paused and took a sip of his tea. Sulayman always left tea till after the meal cause’ it was always ‘too hot’ at the time they had dinner.

A habit which earned him a fair amount of teasing from his mates during his teenage days. Some things just never changed.

“We can ask the students then. And see what they come up with. Whether it’s affordable.” Abdullah suggested.

“That’s a bright idea. I know an entrepreneur doesn’t start off by fearing loss but I don’t want to risk losing money in the name of investing.”

Abdullah gave his brother a pat on his back, “Loss aversion brings more success than risk taking does. As your fear would actually give you more motivation to do your best.”

“That sounds like how fearing Jahannam, can actually be a great motivation and ultimately secure one a position in Jannah.” Sulayman smiled as he said that. His time behind bars, had taught him well on how to connect every quote action or thought to The Almighty, Allah.

“Exactly. May Allah grant us all Jannah and protect us from Hell.” Abdullah felt happy with his brother’s response.

“Amiin.” Sulayman asked Allah to accept their du’a, which Abdullah repeated two more times, making Sulayman too repeat his Amiin.
Based on the hadith, Whoever asks Allah for Jannah three times, Jannah will say: “O Allah, enter him into Jannah.” (Jami' at-Tirmidhi).
(that made me pause writing and ask for Jannah thrice, you better do the same hun.)

“So, one important thing before we proceed, I am sorry to cut this off but it has just been bugging my mind.” Abdullah spoke.

Sulayman looked at him concerned, “you shouldn’t apologize, it’s my honor to hear you out.”

“Are you going to finish your tea or have me pour some ice cubes into it then go ahead and declare tea as a cold drink.”

Sulayman let out a laugh. He wasn’t expecting to re live his teenage moments. “Fine. Fine. I will just take it in a gulp.”

He finished his tea with a not so pleased expression, “it has become too cold, okay?”

“That’s a relief. Coz if you were to tell me that last year’s tea is still hot. I would have probably fainted.”

“It’s my habit since teenage. I can’t take hot tea. At all.”

Abdullah smiled to that. He loved teasing his friends to cool the atmosphere and make them more comfortable to one another.

“So, you will pray istikharah (asking Allah’s guidance) concerning the lunch issue. But before that we do istishaarah (asking people’s opinions), so, we'll see if we can get a student or two to help us out.”

Abdullah had more acquaintances as compared to Sulayman as he had worked there longer. It was him who helped Sulayman get the job.

By Allah’s mercy the university canteens owner was moving cities, so he was looking for someone to take care of his canteen while he was gone. Abdullah suggested his brother to the owner and due to his trustworthiness, the man trusted that his brother would most likely possess the same traits as Abdullah.

Since, the canteen wasn’t the only source of income he depended on, he had agreed to leave it fully under Sulayman so long as he was to get the amount the two had agreed upon, by the end of month.

And… Alhamdulillah, things were fairing well.

“I will hear out Sam’s view on this then.”

“Naam. I guess we can call it a day."

“Sure. May you reach morning with kheyr.”

“And may you be among the people of kheyr.”

Subhanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika, Nash-had an laa ilaaha illaa anta. Nastaghfiruka wa natuubu ilayka.

They recited the prayer one recites . For the expiation of sins, said at the conclusion of a sitting or gathering.
Dusting their beddings and wiping their feet, the pair stretched down as both moistened their tongues with dhikr Llaah.

Both of them starting with Suratul Mulk as Sulayman had told his brother, that out of all the prayers in the Prayers before sleeping list, he made sure not to miss the Suratul Mulk more than any of it.
Because the prophet, may peace be upon him had taught that Suratul Mulk will come in human form and be a companion to the believer in his grave.

It is He who made for you the night to rest therein. Suratu Yunus 67.
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The day that followed was a Sunday, which meant no work nor visiting in prison.

From the time Sulayman had started working they had decided that Sunday would be their cleaning day. From sweeping the house to doing laundry. According to them, the house was in no need of sweeping or mopping each and every day because ‘they were adults’ who knew how to maintain cleanliness through out the week.

After much protests on the fact that Abdullah has to just rest and do nothing. They had settled on Sulayman doing laundry, while Abdullah went to the grocery. Sulayman cooking while Abdullah hung the clothes. A strict rulr was declared that Abdullah will NOT help Sulayman in his chores which ended up being broken whenever Sulayman was at distance.

Right as Abdullah returned from hanging clothes, he was shooed away from where the gas stove laid by Sulayman.

“Have you never heard that exercise is good to aging people. They shouldn’t just lie down, yeah!” Abdullah began the debate.

“I have heard that smoke is not good for old men’s lungs.” Sulayman wasn’t one to budge easily.

“A puff won’t harm.” Abdullah shocked him as he said that with twinkling eyes.

“Astaghfirullah.” Sulayman managed to say between laughing hard. “You are one hilarious man.”

“You are the one who talked of smoking.”

“I am almost done, there is nothing to help.”

“That’s what you said I will do. Nothing.” Abdullah joked faking a pout.

Seeing that there was no point in trying to convince Sulayman to let him help, he picked the mus-haf and started to recite.

“Recite it loudly, please.” Sulayman asked and Abdullah was happy to comply.

He opened to where he reached and started,
أعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم.
قُلْ إِنِّي أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَعْبُدَ اللَّهَ مُخْلِصًا لَهُ الدِّينَ
Say, [O Muhammad], “Indeed, I have been commanded to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion.

وَأُمِرْتُ لِأَنْ أَكُونَ أَوَّلَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ
And I have been commanded to be the first [among you] of the Muslims.”

قُلْ إِنِّي أَخَافُ إِنْ عَصَيْتُ رَبِّي عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ
Say, “Indeed I fear, if I should disobey my Lord, the punishment of a tremendous Day.”

قُلِ اللَّهَ أَعْبُدُ مُخْلِصًا لَهُ دِينِي
Say, “ Allah [alone] do I worship, sincere to Him in my religion,

فَاعْبُدُوا مَا شِئْتُمْ مِنْ دُونِهِ ۗ قُلْ إِنَّ الْخَاسِرِينَ الَّذِينَ خَسِرُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ وَأَهْلِيهِمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ۗ أَلَا ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ الْخُسْرَانُ الْمُبِينُ
So worship what you will besides Him.” Say, “Indeed, the losers are the ones who will lose themselves and their families on the Day of Resurrection. Unquestionably, that is the manifest loss."

لَهُمْ مِنْ فَوْقِهِمْ ظُلَلٌ مِنَ النَّارِ وَمِنْ تَحْتِهِمْ ظُلَلٌ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ يُخَوِّفُ اللَّهُ بِهِ عِبَادَهُ ۚ يَا عِبَادِ فَاتَّقُونِ
They will have canopies of fire above them and below them, canopies. By that Allah threatens His servants. O My servants, then fear Me.
-Sura Az-Zumar, Ayah 11 - 16

“This last verse, By that Allah threatens His servants. It’s what we had mentioned yester night. That fearing Fire can actually be the reason to motivate one in doing good.” Abdullah closed the mus-haf using his index finger as a bookmark.

“Yes. There is also the verses in Suratul Hijr,
نَبِّئْ عِبَادِي أَنِّي أَنَا الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ
وَأَنَّ عَذَابِي هُوَ الْعَذَابُ الْأَلِيمُ
[O Muhammad], inform My servants that it is I who am the Forgiving, the Merciful.
And that it is My punishment which is the painful punishment.]
-Sura Al-Hijr, Ayah 49 & 50.”

“SubhanaLlah.” Abdullah glorified His lord.

“It’s all about balancing between rajaa and khawf {رجاء و خوف}. At the same time you fear Allah’s punishment and as well hope for His mercy.” Sulayman finished chopping a few vegetables.
They were having veggies soup with rice. Meat wasn’t a luxury they could well afford.

“When I was in my youth. My biggest motivation for piety was the Hoor L Ayn (the maidens of paradise) ” Abdullah chuckled as the memory flooded in him.

“We all passed that stage, if you ask me.” Sulayman fantasized along.

“Wide Lovely eyes.” He spoke while closing his eyes as if he was trying to picture them.

“Preserved pearls.”

“Like corals and rubies.”

“Loving their husbands only.”

“Beautiful and pure.”

"Untouched."

"Restraining their gaze."

“Yaa Salaaaaam!” Abdullah gasped whilst blushing. “I see you weren’t so good back in the days.”

Sulayman just laughed. “You forgot one more thing, the people of Jannah would be sitting and they will notice a ray of light shine all over Jannah. Then when they ask of the source. It will be said that Hoor L ayn of so and so is laughing with her husband.”
He lowered his head as he kept on blushing.

“Those were the days. But now I barely have time to miss them. The fear of Hell fire has coursed into my veins. The torment of the Qabr too.” Abdullah said after composing his self.

“Yes. Especially in these days where one wakes up as a believer and goes to sleep as a disbeliever. Sins are so vast, SubhanaLlah its just scary.”

“May Allah assist us. We must keep asking Allah for guidance and steadfastness.”

“Naam brother.” After that talk, Sulayman had joined his brother. He had left the soup to boil so he could cook rice afterwards.

“Why don’t you boil eggs too?” Abdullah asked with a tone so casual as if it was the most normal thing to do.

Sulayman looked at him, with eyes popped, “you aren’t serious, are you?” He couldn’t believe Abdullah said that.

“As serious as dead.” he replied avoiding direct eye contact.

He didn’t like doing that, but, if there was no option, then there was no option.

“You know very well, how eggs affect you. You had eggs on Friday, it’s just Sunday. You have to take care of your health. Eggs will just gas you up.”

Abdullah huffed knowing that Sulayman was one stubborn caretaker, “Gas! Gas! People spend money to buy gas. Others kill to get it. I have it for free and you are stopping me.” He scoffed then gave a small smile.

Sulayman again laughed. “We will have it around Tuesday perhaps. And don’t you go buying eggs while am not around.”

Abdullah just shrugged. It was safer not to give a promise than break one.

“I think I should resume reading.” He made his attempt of brushing the topic away.

Sulayman acted as if he hadn’t noticed, “Yah. Loudly please.”

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I actually live with my uncle in his seventies and have many uncles in fifties. The conversation are somethings they would definitely say.

So, yeah their jokes are so relatable.

Note. The gas part is what my 70 + yrs old uncle actually  said to his wife. : -)