Striver
09-05-2005, 12:05 PM
The Stranger!
A few months ago before I was born, my dad met a stranger who was new to our small town. From the beginning, dad was fascinated with this enchanting newcomer, and soon invited Him to live with our family. Though His outside appearance was not attractive, the stranger was quickly accepted and was around to welcome me into the world a few months later.
As I grew up I never questoned His place in our family. In my young mind, each member had a special place. My Brother, Yusuf, few years my senior, was my example. Yasmin, my younger sister, gave me an opportunity to play 'Big Sister' and develop the art of teasing. My parents were complementary instructors - Mum taught me to love Allah Ta'alah, and dad taught me how to obey Him. But the stranger, who was our story teller, could weave the most fascinating tales. Adventures, mysteries and comodies were daily conversations. He could hold our family spellbound for hours each evening and would consume most of our times over the weekend. If I wanted to know about politics, history, or science, He knew it. He knew about the past and seemed to understand the present. The pictures He could draw were so life like that I would often laugh or cry as I watched. He was like a friend to the whole family. He took dad, Yusuf and me to our first major league cricket game. He was always encouraging us to see the movies and He even made arrangements to introduce us to several famous people.
The stranger was a constant talker. Dad didnt seem to mind, but sometimes Mum would quietly get up - (while the rest of us were enthralled with one of His stories of a faraway place) - and go to Her room and read the Qur'an. She would sometimes quietly tell us that the Prophet, peace be upon Him said: "The beauty of one's faith is shunning all non-productive activities."
Continued...
A few months ago before I was born, my dad met a stranger who was new to our small town. From the beginning, dad was fascinated with this enchanting newcomer, and soon invited Him to live with our family. Though His outside appearance was not attractive, the stranger was quickly accepted and was around to welcome me into the world a few months later.
As I grew up I never questoned His place in our family. In my young mind, each member had a special place. My Brother, Yusuf, few years my senior, was my example. Yasmin, my younger sister, gave me an opportunity to play 'Big Sister' and develop the art of teasing. My parents were complementary instructors - Mum taught me to love Allah Ta'alah, and dad taught me how to obey Him. But the stranger, who was our story teller, could weave the most fascinating tales. Adventures, mysteries and comodies were daily conversations. He could hold our family spellbound for hours each evening and would consume most of our times over the weekend. If I wanted to know about politics, history, or science, He knew it. He knew about the past and seemed to understand the present. The pictures He could draw were so life like that I would often laugh or cry as I watched. He was like a friend to the whole family. He took dad, Yusuf and me to our first major league cricket game. He was always encouraging us to see the movies and He even made arrangements to introduce us to several famous people.
The stranger was a constant talker. Dad didnt seem to mind, but sometimes Mum would quietly get up - (while the rest of us were enthralled with one of His stories of a faraway place) - and go to Her room and read the Qur'an. She would sometimes quietly tell us that the Prophet, peace be upon Him said: "The beauty of one's faith is shunning all non-productive activities."
Continued...