The Virtues Series: Episode 18

"And by the Mercy of Allah, you dealt with them gently. And had you been severe (rude) and harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from you; so pass over (their faults), and ask (Allah's) Forgiveness for them; and consult them in the affairs. Then when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah, certainly, Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him)." [Surah All Imran (3):159]

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He couldn't help but pause at this Ayah. It reminded him of that day. They woke up very early to prepare for their exam.

"All set?" He asked. As he saw her coming out of the room.

"Yes" She replied. "Okay then, let's go".

They were already 30 minutes later than the advised time to leave home in order to avoid the traffic. But he didn't panic because he knew another route. A traffic-free one. Still, it was best to go early.

He had told her they would leave by 7:00am, the exam was to start at 8:30 and all were expected to be at the venue by 8. It was a roughly 25 minutes drive from their home.

They had arranged all necessary documents the night before. Their means of identification, Registration slip, writing materials and everything else that was required.  She put them all together. Hers and His.

The road was muddy because of the heavy rain that fell that morning. Halfway through their drive, their car stopped abrubtly. Thank God they left early. He came out, opened the bonnet and touched a few things.

The car started again and they continued. More time-conscious this time. The ample time they had was now fast exhausting. 

Google map said they were 5 minutes away when she decided to go through their documents for a final check.

"SubhanAllah!" She exclaimed.

"What is it?" He asked.

"This is my old passport...not the new one"  she said, her voice failing. "They wont accept it, its expired" she added. Looking at the passport with disbelief. She could've sworn she carried the new one. She even mentioned it at some point. That making such a mistake would be grave. Yet there she was. She couldn't even look up at him. She must've been full of shame for the mistake she made. And already so angry with herself. 

As Sufyan remembered this event, he felt grateful to Allah for guiding him on that day. Truly it was by the mercy of Allah. For he was on the verge of making an outburst, but somehow found himself calm. He knew that adding fuel to the fire already burning in her heart wouldn't help matters but somehow he had to resist the urge. 

He remembered how he told her to stay put in the car while he rushed back home with a bike. There was no way they could've driven back with the traffic on the opposite direction. They were already late, it was 15 minutes to 8. He shut the door of the car behind him and rushed to cross to the other side of the road, where he got a bike to take him back. He returned, at exactly 3 minutes to 8 with the new passport and started the car towards their destination. 

He didn't say a word to her. She didn't say a word either. He imagined that she must already feel sorry, she must feel worried and regretful. She knew how costly it was to register for the exam. She knew what it meant if they missed it. They both knew and no amount of scolding would've changed anything. 

He imagined what would've happened if he had yelled, if he had let his emotions get the better of him. If he had vented his frustration and disappointment. How it would've affected them both, at the exam hall (if they made it) and at home. 

"....And had you been severe (rude) and harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from you..."

This part of the Ayah kept ringing in his head...How true are the words of Allah...That day, if he had been harsh, if he hadn't shown graciousness and compassion by the help of Allah, if he had been cold and severe...He would've not just lost his exam but hurt his sister as well...and would it have been worth it.

People make mistakes. This could've been him. This could've been anything else. We do not plan to fall into potholes. we do not plan to lose when we do. When people make mistakes many times they are already feeling terrible about it. Sometimes it's not even something they could've been able to prevent. Sometimes they are ignorant of a better way. Sometimes they are just being human. And in all these times what they need are not voices that  break their eardrums or words that pierce their heart but compassion and leniency. Gentleness in correcting them. Respect and Benevolence in showing them a  better way. Yet it can truly be hard to give if not by the help and Mercy of Allah.

A broken spirit is much worse than a broken bone. A torn heart is much worse than a torn skin. So when people talk about the power of love they're talking about all of these. Kindness in the form of overlooking faults. Generosity in forgiveness and compassion. Patience. For without these there cannot be unity. Without these we would be breaking off from one another. And it's only by the mercy of Allah that we can have and give these.

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They reached the venue at 8:15. They were allowed into the hall, and they weren't even the last to come in. Everything happens for a reason. He thought, smiling to himself. And Allah is The Most-Merciful, Always Showing Mercy.

(May we be of those who continue to receive His Mercy throughout this life and the next)