October 30, 2023.

A Mazed Heart (Rifa Fathma)

Episode 04: Life

That night was no different. He tossed and turned on his sides, not having any trace of sleep on his youthful face. The reason behind his sleeplessness was unlike any other night. The freezing air around him was enwrapped by joy, enthusiasm, and happiness, sucking the sleep out of his dark blue eyes.

A faint thud sound made Yahya twirl his head towards his casement. He had closed the glass door to his casement and had drawn the white curtain to avoid the brilliant moonlight. The faded thud came again propelling his eyebrows to sag in bewilderment.

Curiosity began to bubble in his chest as he pushed his fluffy blanket and sat up on his bed. The sound was coming from their Forest Garden. He leapt out of the bed and made his way towards the casement. With much difficulty, he managed to push the curtain to the side with his small hands.

The thud sound became frequent and more loud now. He knew those sounds. The sound that always gives him thrills. He opened the glass door, the sound was not merely a faint sound anymore.

A waft of breeze passed through him as soon as he stepped into the casement. He stood on his toes, gripped the handrail and peeked down. His heart gave a quick flip at the sight of him.

The moonlight travelled diagonally and landed on the calm figure of Haarim who was leaning against a tree trunk. He carried a bow in his hand and constantly shot arrows directed towards a rock placed at a long distance from him.

His chest constricted with enthusiasm as he bit his stretched lips. He had been counting the seconds for the sky to break into the sunlight so that he could inform Haarim that he would be staying with him. He bounced on his toes, turned towards the room, and rushed into the hall.

He blinked his eyes at the hall before him. It took him a moment to adjust to the pitch darkness. He slowly tip-toed down the stairs. When he landed on the last step, it hit him that the front door was long locked.

His face fell. The bubble inside his chest began to subside. He had to wait till the sun would decide to appear. He had to wait for Haarim to return from his work before he could blast his uncle with the news. 

He slumped his small shoulders and was about to turn to climb up to his room but stopped. His eyes landed on a sparkling set of keys on the wall behind the dining table.

His eyes sparkled as his heartbeat sped up. He made his way towards the dining table and quietly climbed on a chair. He stretched up his hand and unhooked the key from the nail. It was the key to the backdoor which led to the Forest Garden.

Adrenaline rush pumped through his veins as he twisted the key in the keyhole. He carefully opened the door, making sure his parents wouldn't get disturbed from their deep sleep. It was the first time that he was snooping around and he liked the feeling that came along with it.

When he stepped into the Forest Garden, a hurling of wind blew his brown hair, bringing his night suit in a hassle. He could see the back of Haarim's leaning frame from where he was standing. An innocent grin popped up on his face as he decided to surprise him.

Haarim was loading an arrow into his bow when he ran towards him. He appeared before Haarim, trying to cease his running feet. But a striking clash made him shut his eyes tightly.

"Wha--Yahya!?"

A groan left his lips as his head throbbed with a shooting pain. His hand instantly went up to find the arrow struck above his eyebrow. He yanked it out with his shaky hands and threw it away before clasping the left of his forehead in pain.

"I'm so sorry! Are you okay?"

He painfully opened his eyes. Haarim was kneeling before him with a shocked and concerned look. His eyes instantly went somewhere towards his eyebrow. "Let me see." He gently pushed his hands from his forehead. His brown orbs turned dark as his gaze flicked back at him. "Does it hurt?"

He breathed. It was pricking like a thorn. But he wetted his lips and shook his head. "No!" He didn't want to get scolded for barging in like this, at such a dark hour.

Haarim's gaze again went up towards the spot. "You have got a scar." He dropped his gaze at him, his eyes turning dark and eyebrows coming together. "At this hour of the night, what do you think you are doing here, Yahya?"

"I have something to tell you." He rushed to defend himself. "I couldn't wait till morning to inform you about it. I saw you from the casement and hurried to tell you."

Haarim narrowed his brown eyes for a while. He then turned his head back to see the backdoor wide open.

He turned his head back to him, a smirk pulling up on his face. "You have learnt to sneak around too."

His cheeks turned red as he looked away.

The clouds began to gather and pushed the moon behind, stopping its light from falling.

"You said you wanted to say something." Haarim reminded.

"Yeah." His eyes sparkled as he lifted both his shoulders enthusiastically. "Dad gave me the permission to stay here."

Haarim's eyebrows shot up, his brown eyes expanded a little. "Are you serious?"

"Yup." He gave a single nod and grinned.

"I didn't see that coming." A surprised smile broke on his face. "I can't believe your father agreed to let you stay here, Yahya." 

"Even me."

The wind around them hurled loudly before it began drizzling. He sensed a few drops falling on his cheeks and gliding down to his neck. "When am I getting enrolled into the school?"

"Dawn Academy, hmm?" He hummed, a faraway look taking over him. As if calculating something in his mind. "How about next Monday?"

"Okay." A giggle left his lips as an ecstatic rush ran through his body.

Within the blink of an eye, the small drizzle turned into a heavy rain. The harsh raindrops slashed against his body making him shiver.

"Come, let's get inside. You will catch a cold." Haarim clasped his tiny hands and rose to his feet.

****

The sky was studded with glistening stars above, silently shedding tears for the departure of his parents. The wind was low and soft against his skin. The smell of the wet mud due to rain struck his nose. 

After attending a wedding, his parents decided to start at night. They all gathered in the courtyard to say their last goodbye.

He could hear the sound of his pounding heart as if it was propelling him to either stop his parents from leaving him or to go along with them to his hometown. He still had time.

But he was tongue-tied. He didn't know if what he was doing was right or wrong. What if he regrets it afterwards? What if it was a stupid decision he took at the cost of staying away from his parents?

Hoorain pulled him into a long, warm hug. His stomach churned, his chest constricted and his throat was clogged with chains of tears. He blinked to push back the tears. He didn't want to cry in front of everyone.

His mother leaned back and pushed his wavy hair from his face, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Remember what I told you?"

He gulped, trying to wet his dry throat. "I should make it a habit to call you once in every while."

Her hand glided down to his shoulder as she gave a crooked smile. "Yes. Make sure to keep me updated with everything you do." She rose to her feet, wiping the corner of her eye with the nook of her palm.

Yahya's eyes moved back to where his father stood, his hands casually stuffed inside his pants pocket. He was staring back at him, his face not giving away to whatever he was reckoning with. But his eyes.

It was morphed into the kind of softness Yahya had never witnessed. He was surprised to know that his father had a soft spot for him.

Yashayah was never an expressive person. He had different ways of showing his love. He was the kind of man to do things for his beloved while staying in the background. He will take that extra step and cross that extra mile for his son but letting him know what his father went through for him? Yashayah didn't fall under that kind. His love was rough and stiff.

He gave a nod from where he was standing. "Look after yourself." He didn't move towards Yahya let alone hug him. He turned his head towards Haarim. "Take care of him, Haarim."

Haarim placed his hand on his heart and gave a slight tip of his head with a smile. "With all my life."

Tears clouded in his throat once again, as he stared at his parents getting into their car. A set of memories of his mother whirled around his head. Her kindness, the way she runs towards him on his small scratch, the way she gets worried over his worry, the way she gets sad over his sadness, the way she teases and plays with him, and the way she proudly says that her son is so mature for his age. It was her faith in him that got him the courage to stand his ground.

He curled his palms into a tight fist to stop his eyes from letting the tears out. He didn't want his mother to know what was going on in his heavy heart and worry about him.

He waved back at his mother who waved at him till he lost sight of their car.

That was when he recognised the deafening silence that surrounded their courtyard. And that was when he realised that he couldn't live without his parents. His chest constricted with unknown emotions. His parents were right. Why did he choose to settle down over here where he couldn't find his parents beside him? What was he even thinking?

"Chasing after some fanciful dreams."

His father's voice echoed in the air. His ear turned red in embarrassment. 

"Yahya?"

He was snapped back from the trance by a warm voice. Haarim was kneeling beside him. He gave a knowing smile. "Missing your mum?"

"I..." He gulped as he dropped his gaze. No, he didn't want to go back. He tried to reason. He wanted to stay here because he had envisioned a life here which he couldn't get staying in his hometown. Hijazi Manzil, Browchery, Dawn Academy, Archery, Haarim Emi, Aunt Heer...

He seized a wet breath from his nose and looked at Haarim. "When are we going to Dawn Academy?"

"Yes. How about nine in the morning?" He suggested.

Yahya's eyes widened. "Tomorrow?"

"Yeah. And..." His eyes twinkled as he smiled. "...I have so much to show you, Hayati. There are a lot of getaways from here. Have you heard of Mount Lufu? Mount Lufu of The City of Love?"

"No." His voice came out all surprise.

"It is the most beautiful mountain in Arora. Every living soul wishes to climb it at least once in his life."

The warmth of grief evaporated from Yahya's body as he left a relieved sigh. He felt like coming out of the water to gulp down the fresh air. The giddy old feeling rushed back into every fibre of his body. 

It was because of this feeling he had decided to stay back. Regret slowly slithered away from his heart, as doubts and confusions started clearing out. 

Aunt Heer was nowhere to be seen. He didn't notice her going inside the home. They made their way towards Haarim's house. His parents' house was long locked. He couldn't stay there until his parents decided to pay a visit. He didn't want to stay there either for it would cause him to miss his parents dearly. 

He followed Haarim towards his home. The moment they entered, Haarim declared salaam and made their presence known. 

Yahya felt odd. He had to stay with them. They were good people, alright. But the fact that their parents wouldn't be there to accompany his presence like a shadow made his stomach churn with unknown feelings. 

He awkwardly stayed behind while Haarim casually entered the kitchen asking his wife about something. He slowly scratched his foot on the tiled floor and ducked his head, feeling completely out of place. 

"Yahya, Jaanem?" 

He snapped his head up and saw Heer tilting her head from behind Haarim to have a clear look at him. "You do drink milk at night, don't you?" 

Haarim turned only his head back, his hands in his jeans pocket. When he saw Yahya's face, he fully turned towards him and stared at him. "Why are you still standing over there?" He made his way towards him and stopped before him. He clamped his shoulder in a firm grip. "Make yourself at home, Hayati."

Yahya heard Heer giggle as she joined them in the hall, wiping off her hands in a kitchen towel. "He is one shy boy for sure." 

Haarim smirked at his wife. "He has gone after his aunt, haven't you Yahya?"

Heer rolled her eyes with a small smile as she tugged a strand of hair behind her ear.

Heer Hijazi, the younger sister of his mother, was a gorgeous woman altogether. She had long black silky hair and brilliant black eyes. Moreover, it was her inner charm that magnified every soul that encountered her. 

Yahya knew his mother held her sister dear to her heart. Yet he was extremely shy in front of his aunt. Maybe he hadn't yet learnt to reciprocate the kindness she exhibits.

An impatient ringing of the bell disrupted them. Haarim's eyes flicked to the wall clock as he wondered aloud. "Who could be at our doorstep at such an untimely hour, Heer?" He went to check upon the impatient man, who frequently pressed the bell without a stop.

Haarim unlocked the door and peeked around. Then he turned back and gestured his head at Heer. Taking his signal, she quickly rushed into a nearby room and softly closed the door behind her.

Yahya looked at the closed door wondering why his aunt went inside the room. Did he have to hide as well? 

Haarim opened the door wide and stepped aside. "How did I forget that only Kabir Emaami can barge in like a ghost at such unfavourable hours?" Haarim said, amused. He knew the man before him wouldn't change no matter how many times he lectured him about punctuality.

Kabir, who looked younger than Haarim, sauntered past him casually, like he owned the place. "Why? Do I need to check the time to visit my brother now?" 

Haarim shook his head, his lips curled up slightly. "Oh yes, this is your second home. Thanks for the unkempt reminder."

Kabir stopped in his tract when he saw Yahya. He tilted his head, his face covered with shock but his voice laced with curiosity. "Who is this kiddo over here, Haarim?"

"He is Heer's nephew." Haarim closed the door and joined them. "And my dear champion, Yahya." Haarim ruffled Yahya's hair with a smile, a habit that Yahya got used to by now. "He will be staying here."

Yahya stared at Haarim, waiting for him to say 'for a while.' When he remained silent, Yahya felt relieved. He wasn't a burden to them. They truly wanted him to stay with them forever.

"Oh, giving company to your aunt, Haan?" Kabir smiled widely at him before sweeping his head across the hall with a small smile. "Where is she anyway?"

Haarim coughed. "She slept."

Kabir pulled his head back in surprise and looked around at Haarim. "Slept already? Is she alright?"

Haarim rubbed his neck and shut his eyes. "About time I tell you something."

This made Kabir raise a quizzical brow. He folded his arms and waited. 

Haarim knew his brother had a heart of gold. He was also not oblivious to the bond Kabir and Heer shared. Heer came into his brother's life when he himself was not there to pick his brother up. She was that friend of Kabir who stuck with him through thick and thin when his own family failed to be there for him.

Heer was more than his family to him. Even after the marriage of both the brothers, the friendship of his brother and his wife didn't receive so much as a scratch.

While Haarim trusted his brother more than anything else, he also deeply respected his wife's decision and personally believed it to be the right thing to do. But now, what he was about to reveal would surely bring a permanent crack in his brother's heart.

"She..." Haarim seized a long sigh and opened his eyes. He stared at his younger brother. "She is not coming in front of you anymore."

The moment froze. Haarim waited for him with batted breath to say something.

But Kabir remained still, processing what he just heard. He opened his mouth but closed, not able to form any sentence. He slowly clenched his fist as his jaw tightened. "What?" He finally managed to say, his voice low. "Haarim? What's going on?"

Haarim gave him an exhausted look. "Look, you know she has been practising niqab in front of her cousins. But she never got the courage to cover herself from you. But she finally took the..."

"You..." Kabir suddenly said, his eyes went wide in realisation. "It was you who brainwashed her into this." His voice cracked. "She is my freaking best friend, Haarim! How could you?"

"It was not me. It was entirely her decision." Haarim tried to explain.

He shook his head slowly. "It was you. I'm sure of it. It is you who takes your belief so seriously, who talks religion, who walks religion."

"Kabir! Don't take this to another level. She just wants to practise religion. Let's respect her values, shall we?"

Kabir, by now, was red in the face. He shook his head like he couldn't understand what he was listening to. "She is my comrade, my crime partner. We have been friends for decades. How can she suddenly turn her back on me?" He stared at his older brother with accusation and hurt smeared all over his face. "How can you doubt my character? I'm merely her friend, Haarim."

"You are merely a non-mehram to her, nothing more."

"Don't go religion on me." He shouted, his nerves pulsating in his face.

"Kabir. Stop with this nonsense. I have absolutely no issue with you." He stopped and rubbed the space between his two eyebrows. Then he looked at him, his orbs turning soft and apologetic. "I trust you, Kabir." He pressed his younger brother's shoulder. "I trust you with my life. let's just not give her pressure in these times."

Kabir's features morphed into confusion. "In these times?" He slowly widened his eyes in shock and disbelief and shoved his shoulder away from his hand. "Don't tell me she is..."

"Listen. We can sit and talk this out."

"I can't believe." Kabir shook his head and rumbled a laugh. "I can't believe you call me your brother and yet end up hiding all the big stuff of your life." He laughed some more and stopped, his lips still in a painful curve. "Tell me, how many more secrets you too are hiding, huh?"

"You are being overdramatic for no reason at all. We were about to disclose the news to all of you..."

"Over-dramatic? All of you? Who else do you have besides me in your life to break this news on? I'm your only family, Haarim. But oh yeah, I never had a family in the first place." 

Haarim knew his brother was hurt for so many reasons. He wanted to do everything to make up for all the things that his younger brother went through. His wife and Kabir had been friends since he could remember his childhood. The fact that he could no longer speak to his best friend, with whom he shared some cherished memories, was heartbreaking.

And Haarim had never intended to hurt him. They just wanted to wait for some more days before disclosing this sacred news to everyone. But they should have told Kabir, at least. He had all the right to know.

He and the new member of the house, who silently witnessed the incident through his big innocent blue eyes, watched Kabir walk out of their home with a painstakingly hurtful face. 

****

The City of Dawn had successfully carved a niche in the life of Yahya. To say he loved his new school would be an underestimate for it was everything that Yahya had ever dreamt of. Back in The City of Gardens, his school was as boring as a snail. The usual monotonous lectures from his teachers, the robotic way of scribbling everything on his notebook from the board, daily finishing off the homework and whatnot. But in Dawn Academy? It was different.

The teachers here had a different way of teaching the kids. They taught through games. They would give an engaging game for the students to play. When the students reached the end of the game, they realised the lesson that had been hidden in the game all along. And they just had to play the game to understand the day's lesson.

And not to mention the one-hour archery period. It was the most thrilling time for Yahya in the school, something he always looked forward to.

After retreating from school, he would spend time with Haarim, strolling through the busy streets, thudding the plasters of the dartboard on the walls of Arcus with their arrows, exploring new places, or confining themselves in the backyard where they played archery till their arms fell, the shoulders rolled out, and the sun descended behind the mountain.

He also got along with Aunt Heer. She took great care of him. Like a mother. It was surprising to know that even she was pretty good at her mark in Archery. No doubt she was taught by Haarim.

Overall, he didn't have any regret over his decision so far.

There were only a handful of days left before Haarim headed back to the army. He was so used to the presence of Haarim that the thought alone put a twisting blade at his heart.

Since Haarim wouldn't be there to train Yahya, he was going to hand him over to his teacher, Mr. Dawood. An old man. A recently retired army officer.

As they made their way to the house of the teacher of Haarim, Yahya realised that the empty but serene road stood apart from the rest of the city.

This area had no shops, no markets but houses. The houses were very less in number, each of them surrounded by fields. The green grass that swayed under the cool evening breeze, the chirping birds, and the cocking hens gave a serene touch to them. 

Before one such house, they came to a halt. Haarim's phone beeped with an incoming call. He rang the bell and strolled across the field to attend the call.

Yahya craned his neck stared at the house and then turned his head to look at the surroundings, fidgeting with the corner of his jacket.

Suddenly, the front door opened with full force and Yahya got an unexpected response from the other end. He stumbled back as water went straight to his mouth. He coughed and brought a hand to stop the force of the water which was now coming towards his chest. 

He looked up to see a little boy of his age with a gun pointed at him. Water was rushing out from the gun, targeting the chest and stomach of Yahya.

"Hey, hey, hey." Haarim quickly came to his rescue. He pushed Yahya to his back and stared down at the kid in front of him, amused. "He is not the enemy, Kaamil."

Kaamil lowered his gun and glared at Yahya. "Who is he then? Why is he here in Grandpa's home?"

Haarim didn't get the chance to answer him as another member of the house peeked in.  "Haarim--" Mr. Dawood stopped when he saw Yahya drained in water. "Oh my!" His eyes expanded with shock. "Kaamil!" He turned towards the kid, with a sharp edge to his tone. He twisted his ears and dragged him inside the house. "Now, I have got another thing to add to the list to tell your father." He turned his head back, still twisting his grandson's ear. "I'm extremely sorry Haarim. Who is this kid with you?"

"Your new student." Haarim grinned as they entered the house. 

"Ah, no wonder why I had been expecting another student lately. Is he your relative?" The old man left his grandson and turned towards Yahya with curious eyes. 

"Yeah. Heer's nephew." 

Mr. Dawood was about to address Yahya but stopped. He turned towards Haarim, with a look of despair. "Haarim! I'm sure you are well aware of what's happening." His features straightened up as he gave a grave look to Haarim.

Haarim's body tensed up, his eyebrows twitched in worry, clueless to what his master was indicating yet sensing some underlying issue.

Mr. Dawood ducked his head and seized a long breath. He then wrapped his arms around Haarim's shoulder from behind and took him towards the sofa. "I have something very important to discuss with you, Haarim." He threw his head back at Yahya. "What's your name?"

"Yahya."

"Yahya. Make yourself at home. I will get back to you once I finish up with your uncle." He turned back and started speaking with Haarim in Arabic as they settled down on the sofa.

What fascinated Yahya was the fact that even Haarim spoke in Arabic. So casually. The words rolled out of his tongue, smooth and fluent. Like it was his mother tongue.

Yahya stared at Haarim speaking in a foreign language which he couldn't understand a bit. But it was so nice to listen to his uncle speaking in an entirely different language. It was music to his ears. How much more was Haarim Emi planning to amaze him? 

"Haarim Unkho!" 

Yahya snapped his head back and narrowed his eyes at Kaamil who stood on one of the sofas. He jumped on the cushion-like sofas with the gun toy in his hand. This time, he had a plastic arrow inside the gun. 

"Haarim Unkho." He shouted again to get his attention.

"It's uncle. Not unkho." Yahya's eyebrows pulled up together in irritation.

Kaamil stopped jumping and turned to stare at him with a solemn face. Yahya regretted and wanted to take the words back. Because this weirdo's taut expression seemed more dangerous when compared to his naughty personality.

Kaamil calmly pulled the trigger, his eyes now turned mischievous. The arrow bulged out of the gun, pierced through the air towards Yahya, and bumped into his chest before falling.

Yahya stepped back, shocked. He slowly looked down at where the arrow fell. The corners of his eyes went up in accusation as he looked up at Kaamil who had the same solemn face that he had before pulling the trigger. As if he wanted to say, 'You dare speak to me again.'

"You feisty little brat." Haarim jogged towards Kaamil and carried him swiftly, turning him upside down and dipping him in the air while Kaamil shouted and laughed. 

Yahya frowned. He didn't like the way this weirdo acted like he was close to Haarim. Closer than himself in fact. 

"In which grade are you in?"

"Second grade." He replied, facing Mr. Dawood. 

Mr. Dawood patted at the empty place beside him where Haarim was seated a while ago. "It's good that you came here very soon. Most of my students have great regrets for settling here later in their lives, in their teen ages. They still whine telling me how badly they wish they hadn't missed out on the major training that these people here offer for children like you."

Yahya went and sat down beside him. He pursed his lips and swung his legs back and forth. It was relieving to listen to someone saying something good about his decision.

"Tell me about your father. Why didn't he settle down here with you."

"Dad has work to do in my hometown."

"Silly boy. He could have come down here if he had wanted to. That man is really lucky to be blessed with brains."

Kaamil now sat on Haarim's neck, his legs dangling down his shoulders as he continued shooting arrows all across the home.

"Let me tell you something." Mr. Dawood ducked his head and lowered his voice. "Your father will settle down here in a few months. He is just testing your determination over your decision. He is measuring your strength to stand firm on your decision no matter the circumstances. If he finds you strong in your pursuit, he will surely settle down in The City of Dawn. Your mother won't live without you now, will she?"

Yahya gawked at the old man. Whatever he just said, would it turn into reality? Will their parents come down here? He could only hope for the best. 

Something caught Yahya's peripheral vision. Above the table before them, was kept a stack of copies, neatly placed one above another. He squinted his eyes to read its content. The content was typed out in Arabic. 

"Ustaad? Can you understand Arabic?" He asked, hoping that Mr. Dawood wouldn't get offended for calling him Ustaad. He himself wasn't sure yet as to what he should call his new teacher.

"Why, yes I do. I can speak, write, read, and understand Arabic."

"Does that mean you can understand the Quran?" He turned his full attention towards him as he asked curiously.

His father cultivated this habit in Yahya to reciting at least three pages of the Quran, their Holy Book daily. The condition was to read it daily. But Yahya was not conditioned to understand its words nor was he ever been told about its significance... But the strings of Yahya's heart were pulled into intrigue as Yahya realised he didn't know what kind of meaning the verses held which he read daily yet he couldn't understand them.

"Of course, I understand. In fact, I have just started a course in Arabic. The first batch is starting from next week. It will go on for three months. Just the basics. Would you like to join?"

"Okay." His eyes perked up in enthusiasm. "Did Haarim Emi learn the language from you?"

"Yeah. He was my first student. I happen to teach him and his friend, Omar alongside their training."

He parted his lips with amazement. Haarim Emi learnt a foreign language while getting trained to become a soldier. 

"Ustaad?" Yahya thought back to all those times when Haarim called him Hayati. He never paid attention to that nickname until now. "What is mean by Hayati?"

"My life."

Yahya jolted up, his eyes widened in astonishment. Life? Why did Haarim Emi refer to him as his life? An overwhelming emotion took its place in his chest as his heart pounded with curiosity.

****

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuhu!

Okay, so I wasn't expecting this episode to turn out this long. But then, I wasn't expecting to update this early either. So... :P

Two new characters we got to see in this episode.

Mr. Dawood.
Kaamil.

There are 2-3 more main characters to be introduced. But the world building, and the characters have been all set up to an extend.

It's time to jump into the actual spicy plot.

Get yourself ready with your snacks, tissues, and water bottles for the next episode :P

Anyways.

I want to take a moment to address what has been happening in this wretched world lately.

I hope, you are keeping up with the updates as well.

It's so, so horrible to see the humanity has completely died down.

There are a couple of things we can do for our beloved Palestinians:

1. Spread the facts. Spread every cruel thing that they have been put through and let the world know what kind of a horrendous genocide that's been happening over there.

There are still a lot of people who side up with the wrong side of the history.

And I have seen people taking this genocide so casually that they talk about it as if they are discussing weather.

P. S: Please, don't call it a war. Because, it's not. The Palestinians don't have any weapon to defend themselves. Forget about weapons and forget about defence. They don't even have the basic needs to stay alive in the first place.

2. Pray. Do plenty of duas for them. Go and watch that video that you scrolled up. Because, believe me, our hearts won't break, our eyes won't cry, and we won't utter a prayer until we witness what they are ACTUALLY going through.

3. Boycott. Boycott all the Israeli products so that they won't get access to those pennies in the first place from which they create their brutal weapons.

And also,

It's high time we step out of the darkness and wake up to the gleam of reality. This world won't stay forever. It will crumble apart and everything which it's holding inside.

It's high time we turn towards Allah, repent for our sins, come together as an ummah and fight back like the true believers.

I hope you are following the right side of the history.