Pray for the world..

Pray for everyone. The world is in need of healing, both spiritually, and physically.

Whatever of good is from Allah. And whatever of evil is from our own hands.

وَمَآ أَصَٰبَكُم مِّن مُّصِيبَةٖ فَبِمَا كَسَبَتۡ أَيۡدِيكُمۡ وَيَعۡفُواْ عَن كَثِيرٖ

And whatever strikes you of disaster - it is for what your hands have earned; but He pardons much.

- Surah Ash-Shura,42:30

Let's all make istighfâr, as though the current predicament of the world, were caused by our own sins.

May Allah have mercy upon me, you, the Muslim Ummah, and grant Hidâyah to all those wandering in search of the path.

Allahuma Aamin..

...

Good News though! :) If anything, in the world today..

Due to the presence of cases in my home country, schooling system has been put on indefinite hold.

This means more time to write, right? :))))

However, I'm to make good use of it to prepare well for when it resumes in shaa Allah(Our final exams were just around the corner 😅)

But in shaa Allah, hopefully things would improve, both in the world and my writing, in shaa Allah :)

Without much further ado, let's dive into the world of TCOTQ! (^o^)

________________________________

A lady dressed in a green burqa, stood at the southern pillars of the masjid. This was where the Jumu'ah prayers were said in all of South District.

Actually, compared to all of the other three districts, which had multiple masaajid for saying the Jumu'ah prayer, and even more for the Khamsa Salawaat(Five daily prayers), South district had only one masjid, - Masjidur-Rahmân.

It was a pity only a few people ever came here to pray, except on the weekly Fridays.

Now that the halaqah had died out, the once teeming-with-life masjid had turned deathly quiet for most of the days.

By what impulse had she made it her routine, to always be here for the Friday prayer, when she now lived in the East district?

Well, some habits die hard.

And also, she had her reasons to be here..

Perhaps, it was the fleeting joy she experienced, in reminiscing the times she used to come here with her husband and their little bundle of joy, almost seventeen years ago when he was just born.

Perhaps, it was because of what happened here all those years ago.. The Labyrinth Tradegy.

Bloody Moon, Starry Night Sky.. Some called it.

The clear voice to which her mind had awoken. She hoped to hear it once more.

It was a blur O-those many years ago. And her soul and heart yearned to be free, of the chains binding her.
She was a vessel the jinns had taken advantage of, on account of her weakened mind and faith at the time. She only got to know of the events that happened when they were recounted to her by the Scholar, when she had gone to seek news of her son in the aftermath.

It was a horrible absence of mind state.

Confusion and utter helplessness, then followed by unconsciousness, the absence of will and command.

But there was one thing she would never forget.

One thing she would always remember. The one thing that freed her.

His voice.

She looked up at the large pillars, staring longingly at the finely crafted, ornately designed structures.

They were a majestic sight. But, her mind went beyond them.

To her, they meant something else. An aide-memoire.

Many years ago, she and her husband stood here. It was a Friday. Their usual routine as a family.

And her 'Rukn' was lying with his head upon his father's shoulders.

Yahya was smiling inanely, as he patted the little boy unceasingly on the back.

Yaa Salaam! Was their sweet bundle of joy a patting bag or what? And what was that weird smile??

But she understood him all the same.

This was their first time being parents,and he'd been so happy when Arkaan was born, Lady Frieda couldn't tell if he'd experience a happiness greater than this ever again.

"What're you staring at, Qurrat Ayni(Coolness of my eyes)? Am I so handsome you can't take your eyes off me.."Yahya flashed one of those boyish grins at her that made him look younger than his age.

Lady Frieda hid a blush behind a frown,"You wish!"

Yahya laughed cheerfully.

"I just wanted to tell you to stop smiling weirdly like that.

And also, what's with the patting. We're not the only ones with children, you know!"The young lady Frieda whined.

Yahya still looked at her, amused. He didn't say a word.

"You'll not respond?"She made a sorrowful face and pouted."Just behave properly for once, Hayaatii! Be serious!"

"Okay, okayyy~ I'm sure you're frightened one of the ladies would be taken in by my smile rather,"Yahya laughed,"You never could resist it!"

"Aww~" He shrieked in pain when Lady Frieda pinched him fiercely on the arm and moved away with a 'Hmph', towards the masjid, her face reddened like a pomegranate.

"Wait for me, Qurrat Ayni!"Yahya yelled whilst scurrying after her. His loudness caused a few heads to turn, making them the centre of attention.

Lady Frieda blushed even more at this. This man was just too loud and unabashed. She certainly wasn't going to let her Rukn grow up like that. She would teach him 'Hayaa'.

Apparently, his father didn't have that.

She wondered why she had fallen for him in the first place.

The next thing he did, made it seem she'd never face an embarrassment like this again in her lifetime. She literally turned red.

He hugged her from behind, their child in-between them, held firmly in his hands.

She felt him breathing her in in her frozen state at what he had just done, his chin came to rest just above her head, separated by her veil.

"I love you, Qurrat Ayni, and I love our bundle of joy too. The thought that my Rabb has given me you two, whereas I deserve none of you, makes me smile this way.

It's too good to be true, and sometimes I wake up afraid, that you two would disappear as though you were a dream or mirage.

So, whilst I'm living this dream, I want to be happy and smile all the while. I want you two to be happy, and I want to be a source and propagator for this happiness.

Whilst we're together, no tears..

That's why I'm smiling so like that.

You said we're not the only ones with children. That's true..

However, Arkaan is the only one for us both now. That makes him special. If not to anyone, but to us.

If not to the world, then he's our world.

The fact that he's Allah's gift to us, is enough to make him special.

The gift of Dhul Jalali Wal Ikrâm, shouldn't I pat him out of the overflowing love that is in my Sadr(chest)?

What else would you wish me do, when this hand does so, not out of its own volition, but out of the overflowing of love?"

Yahya smiled gently, staring into nothing in particular.

Lady Frieda stared at the ornately designed pillars, tears in her eyes. But her smile within her veil, was something many would die for.

The happiness within her Qalb at that moment in time, would suffice a thousand years of a lifetime.

These were her pillars.

She didn't know at that time what would happen if she lost them.

But this time she knew, ..these were only the fadl(favours) of Allah.

So what if Allah takes them away from her? He gave them in the first place.

She always still had Him as her Mawla and her Eternal Rukn.

She wouldn't allow grieve to consume her like before..

Arkaan, She smiled. Perhaps, I don't mind if you become like your father.

Even though he was loud, he still lived his life with his Rabb in heart.

For some reason, her son appeared in mind. She saw in her heart, her little bundle of joy. At a tender age, he was already taking good care of his grieving mother.

Was there a gift from Dhul Jalali, greater than this?

"Yaa Allah, you guided my son when he had gone astray under his very own mother's eyes and had no one to guide him, if this is retribution for my negligence or a test of my sabr, do not let anything but good befall him and be his Protecting Friend throughout his life.."

Saying this, she stepped through the pillars, filing through, amidst the throng of people entering into the masjid.

Even as she passed in, with the increasing number of people entering into the masjid, four boys made their way into the masjid. Among them, was a boy with bright verdant eyes.

For a moment, a feeling of beauty and relief overcame his heart and, ..he looked up.

His eyes caught sight of a green veil, disappearing amidst the crowds ahead of them.

"What're you looking at, Kãn?"Zak called out to his companion, his eyes following the direction of Arkaan's sight.

However, they saw nothing peculiar, amidst the multiplying numbers of people entering the masjid.

Ukashah and Abdullah who were together with them also looked up. By this time, there was no sight of the lady in green.

"I don't know, for a moment, I felt a kind of happiness engulf my heart like I had found something that's important to me.."Arkaan said wistfully.

"Yaa Akhii, of course you've found someone of importance to you. I'm here, aren't I?"Abdullah grinned, breaking Arkaan's wandering thoughts.

Ukashah chuckled."Maybe, you're just happy because of your Welcome party this night."

"Yh! The Welcome party, I wanted to ask you guys why neither I nor Abdullah received an invitation letter.

You're not planning on doing this without us, right Kãn?"Zak asked, pouting, a wronged expression on his face.

"If it's Abdullah you didn't invite, fine, I'll understand. However, me of all people - Zak, your bestie too~"

Arkaan laughed. Ukashah furrowed his brows. Where from this new act?

Abdullah gaped in shock,"Elder brother, you're being unfair! How's it fine if I'm not invited!

After all, I'm the most important person of the show.

And yaa Akhii, when did you become Arkaan's best friend, I don't remember relinquishing my position to anyone."

Abdullah smiled proudly, suddenly holding Arkaan very closely.

"I'm your bestie, right?"Abdullah looked innocently at Arkaan, raising his eyebrows.

Arkaan smiled wearily.

"After all, I know your secrets, remember Wednesday.."Abdullah said with a bit more joviality.

Arkaan's face blackened.

He looked at the boy who made an innocent face at him, and yet still was threatening him. You little demon.. He glowered. You wouldn't dare.

Try me. Abdullah smiled genially at Arkaan, seemingly not prepared to back down, gripping Arkaan's thobe even more tightly. The others seemed to notice the hidden conversation between the two.

"And what secret would that be?"Zak asked, loudly.

"OF COURSE, You're my bestie, Abdullah! Who else could be?

After all, no one can be as understanding as you."Arkaan was sweating, but he said it ingratiatingly, all the while gritting his teeth.

He didn't like for Abdullah to mention that incident to Zak. But even more, he feared Abdullah knew about his feelings for Maryam. If Zak heard about it, that'd be the end of him!

The little demon was messing with him, and blackmailing him shamelessly. He gave an angry-like laugh.

From afar, one could see the fierce exchange going on between the two, but only present within their eyes.

From near, their words belied the same.

It was amazing how these two came to this level in just one week.

Ukashah and Zak were stunned for a moment, before Zak gushed out.

"That's no fair! You're blackmailing him, Abd. It doesn't count. This is a word under duress!"

Arkaan sighed. What was wrong with the Maghribi Brothers today? Even Zak had to stoop to Abdullah's level.

However, he realized there was a change in the relationship between the brothers.

It's as if...they'd grown closer.

"Can you both stop bickering. Especially you, Zak. You're older than Abdullah, by seven years.

Show something for your age."Ukashah said placidly.

"In the first place, it's a Welcome party meant to introduce him to the neighbourhood of Mt. Shirah.

Are you two on Mt. Shirah?"

"Doesn't matter."Abdullah said,"We want part! Yaa Akhii Arkaan~~

Don't be influenced by frozenhearted Ukashah. Your heart is after all warm and radiant as the heavenly sun, noble and pure, untarnished by mundane emotions!"The last words rolled off his tongue, almost as if he were laughing at an unsaid joke.
Arkaan sighed.

Zak tsked. Abdullah truly had excelled him now in currying favours. When he was small, there was nothing he couldn't extort from his parents. But Abdullah went ad Astra.

"You guys are part already. I didn't think you needed letters though.

You're family after all."Arkaan said, his face sincerely looking at the Maghribi brothers.

"Just a word of mouth would have sufficed to invite you."Arkaan said finally.

"Yayyy!"The Maghribi Brothers hailed together, holding unto Arkaan as they stepped into the threshold of the western prayer hall.

Ukashah who was behind the three shook his head in disbelief.

As if suddenly remembering something he forgot to do, Abdullah turned back to stick his tongue out at Ukashah. Then quickly smiled, turning back to Arkaan, joy in his eyes.

Ukashah frowned, adjusted his thobe with a cold snort, and carried on into the western prayer hall.

•••

In the eastern prayer hall, Lady Frieda prayed four raka'at in sets of two each, in the second row of a far right corner she had luckily taken, from the back.

She specifically chose that location to avoid garnering attention. After all, with her position, she'd cause a show within most places she went in Tâ Hâ, especially among the ladies.

After her Salaam, she noticed the small space in front of her had opened up. Seeing that lesser people were around and she could easily remain inconspicuous there, she moved forward.

After all, she needed to be close to the in-wall sound transducers to better hear the Imam's lecture, and those were at the front.

The Imam was not in yet, so she decided to greet her neighbouring sisters. She turned to her right as per Sunnah, to greet the woman who occupied that end, only to be stuck with overt surprise.

"Mahaa! Oh my Allah! What're you doing here in the South district?!

I never thought I'd see you again after all these years!

How's Tawhîd?! Is he here too?"

The short lady, who had an aloof expression on her face, looked at Lady Freida with a demeaning smile.

"Of course you would think so now, wouldn't you?

After all, only one of the Al Ilyâsin two daughters-in-law was prohibited from stepping foot in the West District, and I sure remember I wasn't the one."Mahaa held her hand to cover her mouth as though suddenly shocked into realization by something.

"You couldn't have gone East to show opposition, right?"There was humour in her eyes.

"Unlike some people, - The whole of Tâ Hâ, there's not one place I can't step in, and you know the reason for that right?"

Seeing the confused look on Lady Frieda's green eyes, as she had removed her veil, Mahaa smiled.

"Sure enough you might not have forgotten that my son Tawhîd is the heir to one of the four main tribes, and would one day hold a say in whatever happens on this island, right?"

"Dearest sister-in-law,"Mahaa puckered at her lips, the venomous words spoken with sweet eloquence,"Due to this and many other reasons, I don't have time to idle with you.

After all, I still have a son to look after.

Qualities of a good mother.. - They always have their sons living until the end.."She smiled in victory, looking at the forlorn expression on Lady Frieda's beautiful face.

She had always envied this woman. What didn't Lady Frieda have? Beauty? Wealth? Status? A charming, charismatic and down-to-earth husband?

And as if these alone were not enough, she bore a child who would become the next heir of an entire tribe.

Why wouldn't she envy her? In the end, her own looks were plain, she was from an average family of the middle class, and her husband wasn't as dashing as his elder brother. He wasn't a firstborn, and so their only son ended up as second in line to that Arkaan brat.

If not for Lady Frieda eloping with the eldest son of Al Ilyâsin from her home in the West, she - Mahaa, probably would have married him.

After all, her grandparents were close friends with the Al Ilyâsin main branch grandparents.

That was why she was betrothed. Destined to be married into opulence once she became matured enough.

Why did the eldest son JUST have to leave for the West, right when she was of age, and return with a bride of his own? Now, she was left with no choice but the second choice.

Ah! Alas for her fate. How many times hasn't she lamented?!

The only succour she ever had from this fate, was her own son, Tawhîd. So obedient and fair. Hardworking, even though he had to bear the duties of the elder heir too.

It was because of him she came to stay here.

Herding the sheep of the tribe and others as a form of leadership training, he had to stay in the southeastern meadows where the grass was most present and always fresh.

So they were lodged here in the South for the time being..

BUT - she couldn't wait to return to the West district.
Whenever she was away, she couldn't wipe the constant fear that the rightful heir would suddenly appear and lay claim.

At least from the 'Blessed Valley zone'(The quarter of the West fortress Banu Al Ilyâsin inhabited), she had her hold on those elders who supported her due to various reasons..

But there were still some of the high-ranking elders who seemed to always have that longing in their hearts, a hopeful look, - as though a lost heir could make a comeback from the dead.

Hmph!! Wild dreaming! That only happened in childhood fantasies and hallucinations of senility!

There was no way her son would lose her only 'compensation' from fate in this lifetime!..

A young girl of about twenty was seated right next to Lady Frieda, to her left. She knew the statuesque proprietess would have greeted her next if not for having been caught by the surprise of meeting her co-sister-in-law..Though, that pleasant surprise had turned sour.

It was bound to be, as Mahaa had an infamous sharp and malicious tongue whenever she opened her mouth.

She had a duty to rescue the principled Lady Frieda. She was a family friend after all.
Knowing Lady Frieda, the refined Muslimah Icon, wouldn't speak a word of impoliteness towards even her rival.

Of course, there was only one group Lady Frieda would speak up to. But that wasn't Mahaa.

Considering whether to confront her or ignore her, the girl decided her next action would be based on Mahaa's response.

After all, she didn't want to waste her words on the spiteful woman either.

"Ah! Lady Frieda! Mahaa! AsSalaamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh!"Fatima Az-Zahrah called out in joyful glee, a perpetual smile on her pretty face.

"I see you both have moved from the East and West to South district today! What a pleasant surprise!

What could have brought you here?"

Maha gave a cold snort. Don't greet me like we're friends.

Apart from Lady Frieda, the only other people she hated more were the pretentious Al Maghribi.

Maybe it was because they always supported her nemesis, from the elderly to the young'uns. Not one but she'd rather not meet.

Lady Frieda's face re-beamed with happiness when she saw Fatima.

"Teema!!! What a pleasant surprise! How is Bibi Fatima, your father, Lady Zulaykha, Lady Aisha, Lady Maryam, Ismail and Tasnîma, Ishaq,..."

Like this, the words just flowed from Lady Frieda with happiness, even she was surprised.

Fatima just beamed as Lady Frieda call out all her household, from top to bottom, even the househelps were not left out. She was a friend of the family after all.

When the burqa lady finished with a heave of finality, Fatima answered all, starting from her great grandmother Bibi Fatima, and moving down.

"Oh, is that so~ Maasha Allah!"

...

Soon, Mahaa and her gloomy statements were left in the background, much to her consternation.

Mahaa harrumphed and turned to face against the wall. But she couldn't stop all the words from their conversation and its innate joy, from getting to her.

Even worse, the ladies directly behind them started talking highly of her nemesis seated right beside.

"Wow! Isn't that Lady Frieda! Verdant lady, Proprietess of that great High school, Iqra Complex - The Lady Principal herself!

Aww~ she looks so happy, I myself am getting happy just seeing her.

I heard she married into the Al Ilyâsin tribe, and bore a heir!"

"Aiyaa! That's low-key hot news!"

"Which of the brothers? Aren't they both supposed to be deceased already?"

"Really?! How come I've never heard of that?!"

The comments flowed all at once. The first woman had to signal for them to lower their voices.
If not for their intense convo, Lady Frieda and Fatima would have heard them already.

"My sisters, this is highly classified information."

The woman's words smiled into her companions' ears,"Known by a select few."
She seemed proud of herself for having gotten hold of juicy rumours even her companions didn't know about.

"Then what happened to the heir?"

"It's only Tawhîd I've heard about!"

"Why were things kept so secret?!"

"Yaa Akhawaat, Does it matter? Even without her reputation as daughter-in-law of a main tribe and bearer of their heir, she's a femme Fatale on her own! And I mean it in the positive sense.
She provides inspiration to all our daughters and the young ladies of this island!

She's such an Icon."The speaker spoke with such adoration Maha gritted her teeth covertly and moved more toward the wall. If not because she didn't want to be recognized and turned into a subject for gossip later on, she would have long shut them up!

...

Lady Frieda did not know why, but ever since she arrived in the masjid that day, she had this good feeling. Like something good was there in store for her.

That was why she was behaving so open like that. She almost felt like she was, that time when she was with her Hayati and Rukn. She'd behave just like a young girl. It was like time was ageless..

She looked out to the crowd with a smile, noticing the unusual packing of the masjid to the brim.

"Ya Allah! How are there so many worshippers today?

Even though, Salatul Jumu'ah(Friday prayer) sees so many worshippers coming than normal days, today especially looks different.

What's the occasion?"

Fatima chuckled.

It was so simple. An important figure was in town that day.

And not just any important figure. He was a Qaadi and Imam.

A world-traveller. One who had been to the courts of Kings of the Nine Kingdoms and their many cities. Even the West was familiar with him.

As such, instead of her young scholarly brother Zak taking care of the Khutbah as usual, the Revered Visitor was given the honour.

Fatima smiled at the fact that her younger brother, at that age was delivering Friday sermons. Who wouldn't be proud?

For some reason she looked at Maha who was cuddled up against the wall and laughed in her heart. She had it coming to her, when she decided not to be polite.

"And who is that man you speak of?"Lady Frieda asked,

"Wait -"Lady Frieda said in thought,"A world-traveller, Imam and Qaadi. Could he be -"

Her voice contained shock.

"Âyatullah Al Hamdy!"

•••

In the boys' row, Arkaan was filled with overt shock when the revelation they gave him on his surprise as to the numbers in the masjid that day, superimposed with the redheaded man who appeared in front of them to take the Imam's seat.

Even Abdullah's mouth was dry for words as he looked at the man seated at the Imam's position.

None of the two were present at the GQRC the two years ago, so hadn't personally seen Âyatullah to know him by face.

So why were they shocked?

It was because, they knew him!

Arkaan remembered the man's words on the ferry, and at the market that Wednesday.

"My name is quite famous around these areas, and beyond Tâ Hâ. I've been to the courts of the Kings and Royals of the Nine Kingdoms and their many cities. Even the land west of here have heard of me."He dramatized.

"Woah! Who could you be, Old man?" Abdullah's eyes were glistening.

How gullible. Arkaan turned to look somewhere else, apparently not interested. It seemed the items on sale in the market, suddenly had a charm the man's words would never dream of possessing.

He noticed, and felt some slight irritation inside,"Aiyaa! Arkaan, you still do not believe me?" He had spent the entire journey on the ferry trying to convince this boulder of a boy. Arkaan just wouldn't be moved!

To be reduced to this level; to want to prove oneself!!

Arkaan turned to look at him, a cryptic smile on his face. Even though the man looked well-to-do, he just couldn't believe something like that. Look how he walked around in the market. If he were that famous, wouldn't he have been crowded by a vast audience by now? Not to say, a well-known personality must have personal guards and officials about him!

Arkaan wanted to believe him, but his reasoning was elsewhere,"Maybe, if you can give me proof. Then~"

"Tsk."The man muttered under his breath,"You can't even take care of a bunch of idiots, how do you turn into the man of reason and proofs."

"Eh, what'd you say?"

"Nothing nothing,"He laughed awkwardly.

"Say Arkaan, I'll give you proof if you're up for a challenge."

In the present time, the man smiled in satisfaction, seeing the reminiscing look on Arkaan's visage.

"Can't be."

Uncle Redbeard!!!