by Shameela Yoosuf Ali
Walking Toward My Dreams Once Again
I got down from the bus and walked along the famous Akbar bridge of the University of Peradeniya. It was a misty morning and early birds were twittering. For months the university’s doors had remained closed because of never-ending strikes, but now at last they were open once more, and here I was again walking toward my dreams.
I’d always loved striding out onto this bridge. My restless soul would take a stop at the serene view of the mountains against the violet sky. Tall and lavish green wonders would stand spreading their thousand hands, taking my breath away. Beneath the bridge, water ran in a miraculously harmonious manner, dawdling silently.
Why Should I Bother?
Today I could see monkeys chattering here and there, sitting clinging together in the parapets. A young couple was taking photographs of themselves making weird faces. At the farthest end of the bridge I saw an old rickety bicycle.
As I drew closer I saw him clearly— an old man clad in a partially torn shirt and worn-out sarong. He was trying to tie a bundle of wooden logs onto the carrier of the bicycle. Each time he tried a log or two dropped onto the bridge, loudly breaking the stillness of the atmosphere.
I felt sorry for him. A debate emerged from nowhere—me versus me: Why should I bother? I’m a woman and there are men around who are much stronger than me. My long black coat is neatly pressed; if I help him it might ruin my whole attire. And he’s not even a Muslim, is he?
Reminded of My Father
What a string of inhuman thoughts! I abruptly cut short this mental conversation and turned to him. I’d almost passed that weak soul who stood before me like a mirage from the past. I saw his fingers, trembling with feebleness. There was no resemblance, but something in him reminded me of my father.
“Uncle, may I help you?”
He lifted his glance from the wooden logs in bewilderment.
“No, no, Madam, you would get late.”
I picked up the fallen logs one after another and brought them together on the bicycle carrier. I held them for him to tie up.
He didn’t thank me. But I saw something better than thanks in his wrinkled face. A saying of prophet Muhammed (saws) flashed across my mind:
Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “If a young man honors an older person on account of his age, Allah appoints someone to show reverence to him in his old age.” [At-Tirmidhi]
I turned and walked away with a heart fluttering with butterflies of contentment.
Alhamdulillah.
(Shameela Yoosuf Ali is a student in Sri Lanka.)
“Jazakallahukhairan”
superb!
Jazakallah khair for that wonderful story
It contains a beautiful lesson…and thank you for that hadeeth as well
He didn’t thank me. But I saw something better than thanks in his wrinkled face. A saying of prophet Muhammed (saws) flashed across my mind:
Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “If a young man honors an older person on account of his age, Allah appoints someone to show reverence to him in his old age.” [At-Tirmidhi].
I turned and walked away with a heart fluttering with butterflies of contentment.
very sweetly writtten…
Beautiful lesson for me and for the ummah…..
MashaAllah very nice story. It encourage me to do something good for elder people and others.
mashaallah very good lesson for me.
Assalamu Alaikum .I'm soo much interested to know you…..being srilankan Muslims.in sha Allah may Allah give us an opportunity to meet:)
May the Almigty bestow His merce on you for lesson i gain from your story.
May the Almigty ALLAH bestow His merce on you for lesson i gain from your story.
shameela yoosuf ali is a journalist, a writer, a sociologist, a teacher and an MPhil and PhD student from sri lanka, for everyone’s info.
Mashallah
Masha Allah, it reminded me about the old man whom I have helped carrying his bag to the metro station in Arafat during Hajj 1433 i.e. Oct 2012. He too had told me NO when I had asked him the same way as this sister did. I remember he was in pain with two small wounds on his leg from many of the wheel chairs used in Hajj. Alhamdulillah, I was having an antiseptic cream in my hand bag and was able to apply it by my own hand on his wounds. He thanked me for it. But contrary to his thanks to me, he started cursing those who come so late for Hajj and are then in wheel chair and end up enjuring others. I had made a kind request to him not to curse them and instead pray for them, to complete their Hajj.
Jazakumullahu Khaira for the beautiful comments here. Alhamdulillah, All Praises are to Allah.Everyday we are blessed with opportunities for little words of love and little deeds of kindness. May Allah Bless all of us with chances to bring smiles…
A good read…
Jazakumullahu Khaira for the beautiful comments here. Alhamdulillah, All Praises are to Allah.Everyday we are blessed with opportunities for little words of love and little deeds of kindness. May Allah Bless all of us with chances to bring smiles….
May Allah Bless Us for ever
https://www.facebook.com/Shameela2013, you can find her page here, really inspiration.