“Ah! Fahad, you are sitting here. I was looking for you in the ground”, Alize came to him when he was sitting in the corner of the classroom during break time. Fahad did not reply. She inquired him why he seemed sad.┬á
“We are going to America, Alize”. Fahad replied with tears in his eyes.┬á
“But, what happened? Why are you moving so sudden?” She was surprised to hear him
“My father wants us to leave Pakistan because he says that we can have a bright future in America”, Fahad replied hopelessly. “You know what he is doing. He is leaving grandfather here, which is even more saddening for me. I do not want to leave grandfather.”┬á
Alize was surprised to hear how people could do such things to their parents, who cared for them when they were nothing. She said nothing to Fahad, but she was sad deep down as Fahad was not only her friend but also her cousin.
After returning from school, Alize went to her mother, Mrs Alia Ahmad, and told her about her conversation in school with Fahad. She asked, \”Amma Jaan! How one can leave one’s parents like this? Has not Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) advised us to care for parents when they get old?” Mrs Alia Ahmad was an educated and pious woman. She used to narrate folk-lores and teachings of the Prophet (P.B.U.H) to Alize when Alize was in her childhood. She was also surprised by the news. She explained to her daughter the story of a companion of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) who came and sought permission to participate in Jihad. However, the Prophet (P.B.U.H) advised him to put his efforts into the service of his parents, who were old and needed care. Now, Alize realized what she had to do.
“Fahad, let us go to your father and make him understand that he is making a wrong move.” Alize went to Fahad excitedly after listening to her mother. Then, they both went to Mr Ali Rehman, Fahad’s father, sitting in the courtyard.┬á┬á
“Uncle, are you moving to America?” Alize asked with her innocent face.
“Yes, Beloved daughter!” Mr Ali Rehman replied.
“Uncle, you know once a person came to the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H), and he sought permission for Jihad but did not get permission. Do you know why He (P.B.U.H) did not allow him?” She asked innocently.┬á
“Yes. Because the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) asked him whether his parents were alive or not. As his parents were alive, the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) did not allow him to go for Jihad and advised him to take care of his parents, for they needed him more.”┬á
Alize hurriedly said, “How can you leave Dada Jaan when he is feeble and needs your attention?”┬á┬á
Fahad also participated in the conversation. “Baba Jaan, you told us how Dada Jaan has left no stone unturned in bringing you up. Isn’t it now your turn to pay him back when he is weak and needs your attention?”┬á
Mr Ali Rehman understood what Alize and Fahad wanted to tell him. He realized when the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) did not permit Jihad how he could leave his father just for the sake of going abroad. So he immediately went to his father’s room and apologized for the mistake he was going to make. Fahad thanked Alize for her help and was in the seventh heaven as they were not moving to America. His father had finally realized his true asset – his father.
