Peer-e-Kamil (S.A.W) By Umera Ahmad In English Page 25

Peer-e-Kamil(S.A.w)  

Chapter 2

All this began with an incident in school. Imama was then a student in the

Matric class; Tehreem was one of her good friends. They had not only been

together in school for many years, but their families knew each other very

well. Amongst all her friends, Imama was closest to Tehreem and Javeria, but

she was upset that, despite their friendship, these girls shrank from visiting

her home. Imama would invite them to her birthday and also to other events

at home, but they would always decline on the pretext of not being allowed to

go out. On a few occasions Imama herself spoke to their parents, but they still

did not allow their daughters to visit her. Finally, she complained to her

parents about this.

=Both your friends are Syeds. Generally, they do not approve of our sect and

this is why your friends‘ parents do not allow them to come to our house,‘

explained her mother.

=What‘s the meaning of this? Why don‘t they approve of us?‘ Imama was

surprised at her mother‘s words.

=Only they can tell you why they don‘t like us. They even call us non-

Muslims.‘

=Why do they say that? Are we not Muslims?‘ retorted Imama.

=Of course we are Muslims…but they do not believe in our prophet,‘ said her

mother.

=Why?‘

=Now what can I say to this .why.? They‘re just very rigid in their beliefs.‘

=But Ammi, they never talk to me about religion, so how come religion

becomes the problem? What difference does it make and how does it involve

visiting each other‘s homes?‘ Imama was confused.

=Who can explain these matters to them? They accuse us of lying and harass

us. If they knew more about us and the teachings of our prophet, they

wouldn‘t do this. Anyway, if your friends don‘t visit you, there‘s no need to

fret—you shouldn‘t go to their homes either.‘

=But Ammi, their mistaken notions about us should be corrected,‘ said

Imama.

=You can‘t do this—their parents are constantly brainwashing them against

us, filling their hearts with poison.‘

=No, Ammi! They are my best friends—they shouldn‘t think this of me. I‘ll

give them some of our books to read…maybe then their minds and hearts will

be cleared of these misunderstandings.‘ said Imama with hope. Her mother

fell silent.

=Don‘t you like my idea?‘ asked Imama. 

=It‘s not that… give them your books but not in such a way that they think

you‘re trying to preach your faith. Just tell them that you‘d like them to know

more about us so as to be able to understand us better,‘ said her mother.

Imama nodded quietly.