“DO THEY HAVE ANY RELIGION…??”

This incident happened back two years ago I was returning back to home from market and  suddenly when I met my old school friend ,SHOYEB after a long time .We were reciting our school days,and enjoying memories and during that time  I observed that,he was laughing but not happy from inside so I asked him whether he had any problem, initially he denied ,but later he agreed to tell and I got to know that,he had some urgent  money issues.So I asked him ‘How much you need? ’‘5 to 8 thousands’ he uttered, and hush!! I was having my ATM card with me. With a mindless thought I dragged him into my car and drove him to the nearby ATM, withdrew Rs 10,000 and handed over to him.Initially he refused but later my persuading skills forced him to agree. He took the money and gave me the assurance of returning the same as soon as possible.After a while we were separated by our paths.

                    I reached home,parked my car and after entering the hall found that,Dad was not at home and Mom was reading a mythological book.I took the Newspaper and went to bedroom, on the very first page my eyes read a news which stated there that two men belonging to International terror organization ISIS were arrested from our city.The place from where they were arrested was near to my home , I was shocked to read that and turned to the middle page, On the middle page there was an article titled ’Muslim community and terrorism’ .The article was very offensive towards the Muslim community. I closed newspaper and took a deep breath.

          Meanwhile,I remembered that before I met my friend Shoyeb,and lent him handful amount of money,without even asking for anything where he is going to spend it on or else.With this thought fear rose into my mind and my mind started to build a castle in air….’What if he had any relation with such a terror organization, and he is going to spend it on any antisocial activity.I have provided him money and without my any direct involvement I could come to investigation,and if it happens my newly started business may get affected.

          Any of this thing was not going to happen,but at other end my mind was not listening to me.Finally I decided to meet him,ask him what he is going to do about it,and get assured.I took my car and decided to rush to his house.Luckily, I knew his house because once in childhood I had visited it.It was at long distance from my home. By parking my car at his house door I entered his home, his mother greeted me,I felt nice because merely after 10 to 15 years I met her, even though she remembered me and my childhood nickname. I asked her about Shoyeb, she told me that he would come in some time and forced me to have a cup of tea,but I managed her on half one.

          My worries were growing time by time, while having tea I kept talking to his mom, 'Something he might have said,about where he is going… or else?'I questioned. She said 'From last night he was very worried about something and today itself before some time he came in a happy mood and said will return by completing his mission.'The moment I heard the word “MISSION” I suddenly got alert. I asked his mom 'something he might have told about where he is going,please tell me it’s urgent..!’ She said,he might have gone to Madarsa,at Masjid near the house. Hearing those sentences I quickly came out of his home and rushed towards Masjid.

                    I already came with a negative perspective in my mind and after hearing the word ‘Mission’ my fear got multiplied.I didn’t found him on first floor,someone said he is with KajhiSahab on upper floor.I went to upper floor,they were having some sort of discussion in the corner.I thought disturbing them will not be a good move, so I waited patiently, within the discussion,Shoyeb two times pointed towards a box kept in another corner, it aroused my interest,and I was pretty sure that something was wrong with that box. When the discussion got ended, Shoyeb came towards me.

         I thought that he would try to threaten me or show his gun and try to kill me, since he would have got alert about the fact that I would be aware about their plan but he didn’t. He spoke very friendly "Thanks my dear friend,this task would not be possible without you.You helped me to complete my Mission”. He further continued to speak," You know about Ramjan, in Ramjan we donate some part of our income to needy people because since childhood. I had observed my parents while donating money,but donating money is not a good idea.I was thinking to do something different, so this year I decided to give books to students learning here in Madarsa. With a mindless thought regarding money because money is temporary and also an investment in knowledge pars the interest which lasts till future.I distributed books, but some children remained empty handed and you were the one helped me to fill those empty hands.I am very grateful to you ….Thank you brother”. He took me to the boxes,and showed me some of the books.Inside the boxes there were books of authors like Sane Guruji, Munshi Premchandand many more, after having a glance towards the books,my thoughts got cleared, but one question was popping in my head, which I asked him directly without any second thought. ”You could have given books of renowned personalities belonging to your community like APJ Kalam, Maulana Azad or else,So Why are you giving these books ?”.He looked me awfully and said “This was not expected from you my friend,Does religions decide which books to read and which books not to ? , RELIGION IS NOT LIFE, RELIGION IS FOR LIFE, don’t you know that ?you disappointed me”.

                Soon I realized that I made him hurt.The flaw lies within me. I doubted my childhood friend, actually it was fault of my mentality,the poor mentality, that related Religion with things such as Terrorism.I was unable to utter even a single word except“SORRY”, and by saying so I immediately rushed to my car and went away.

            I was really feeling guilty that day. I entered home, Mom n dad both were at home, but I wanted to be alone, so I went to terrace.It was evening and flock of Birds were returning to their nests.By watching them in sky,a question arised in my mind, “DO THEY HAVE ANY RELIGION …???”

                                                         

     

                   Story by ;    Mayur Labshetwar

                   Edited by :   Gunjan Singh