The Young Scholar Episode 3

Episode 3

Author’s POV

We definitely can’t
run from what is coming to us. As far it’s a decree then you must be ready to
face it with the help of Allah. Only by Allah we can be count amongst those “Successful
in the hereafter”.

Abdulrasaq – (As usual, he woke up to perform tashahud and
make the adhan. As he stepped out of his house he saw a bag on the floor close
to his door) Ahh Subhanallah. This is my bag, How did it get here?

This was very
surprising to him. He wondered how the person who stole his bag knew exactly where
he stays. He carried the bag inside and dropped it on the floor. He came out
and lock his door and walked down to the masjid. After the subhi salat, He told
Imam Malik, Mallam Sani, Mallam Ahmed and Mallam Jibril exactly what happened. They
were surprised as well and didn’t know what to conclude.

Imam Malik – Do you have anyone that knew you were coming to
Apelle?

Abdulrasaq – No sir

Imam Malik – I’m asking because it feel like someone is
monitoring you… Alfa Jibril what do you think?

Mallam Jibril – Ya Amir, That might be true

Mallam Ahmed – The announcement I made throughout the day
might have helped. But I never disclosed where Abdulrasaq was staying to anyone
because I have no idea of the place he rented.

Mallam Sani – This is just a coincidence wallahi. It seems
the person that stole it is a muslim

Mallam Jibril, Mallam Malik and Imam Malik – I think you’re
right

You have to be careful Abdulrasaq They all said that at
once.

Imam Malik – indeed, those who say they believe, do they
think they won’t be tested?

Abdulrasaq – Masha Allah

Imam Malik – It’s all a test from Allah. May Allah (S.W.T)
increase you in Iman so you can overcome every trial that might come. Our best
wishes is with you our young scholar.

Mallam Sani, Mallam Ahmed and Mallam Jibril all smiled
hearing the word “Young Scholar”

Abdulrasaq – Young
Scholar??

Imam Malik – Yes my
son, You’re a young scholar. We are your elders and we could see beyond. We observed
you and we could tell you’re very knowledgeable.

Abdulrasaq – Masha Allah… I want to say thank to everyone of
you that has looked out for me since I arrived.
You all have been my family, May Allah continue to bless you all for
everything.

Imam Malik – You are welcome. (Take
care of yourself they all said…)

Imam Malik, Mallam Ahmed, Mallam
Sani and Mallam Jibril all left the mosque and Abdulrasaq went home. When abdulrasaq
got home, he checked the bag to see if the letter was in tact and when he
checked he found it but his money was no longer there. But he was very grateful
his clothes are back to him and made dua to thank Allah.

Abdulrasaq clean his house and hanged his clothes on a small hanger he
constructed. His neighbors could sense the joy in him as he was doing is
arrangement. He greeted Daddy Khadijat as he was heading to work and also
greeted others that left to their place of work too. Then the thought came to
him that he would definitely need to look for a job in other to survive his
stay.

Mummy Khadijah came out off the
house to hang her clothes and then called on Abdulrasaq just as she saw him
coming out of his apartment.

Mummy Khadijah – Asalamualaykum Abdulrasaq…
How you dey na?

Abdulrasaq – Wa alaykum sallam, I’m
fine ma. How are you doing and how are your children doing too?

Mummy Khadijah – them they fine
ohh thank you… This your voice ehhn they make me feel like say I dey mecca once
you they call for prayer

Khadijah came out from their apartment to join the conversation (khadijah
is the eldest child of Mummy Khadijah,
She’s 16 and a candidate of Waec/Neco. She has three siblings, her immediate
brother Farook, her younger sister Amina and their last born samad).

Khadijah – Aswear… I never missed salat since
you come.

Abdulrasaq – but it’s just
yesterday I came here.

Mummy Khadijah – Since when you come
ehnn.. That on Tuesday evening when you call for 7 o’clock prayer na everybody
start to talk about you.

Khadijah – Yes oo, that night self
I go mosque. Since then I no miss salat

Abdulrasaq – Alhamdulilah…
Khadijah I didn’t know you do go to the masjid

Khadijah – yes na, I they go
sometimes but since you come I never miss am

Mummy Khadijah – Na my house me
they pray oo

Abdulrasaq – Alhamdulilah.. I’m
happy to hear that, May Allah accept all our duas (Amin)

Abdulrasaq – I want to go to the
market and get some food stuff so I will cook small thing with firewood, I want
to stop buying food.

Mummy Khadijah – That one good
ohh. He go help you save your money

Abdulrasaq – Mummy Khadijah I want
to ask you something

Mummy Khadijah – Ask na

Abdulrasaq – Please ma, which job
do you think I can find around here in Apelle?

Mummy Khadijah – small small job
they to do like; kporkpor work (site work), sales boy, driver, teaching, or
market work… it depends on the one when you go fit do.

Abdulrasaq – I would prefer
teaching… Let me go get this things and we will talk about it when I’m back ma

Mummy Khadijah – No wahala

Khadijah – make I follow you na
make I show you around the market.

Abdulrasaq – That can only happen
if your mother permit

Mummy Khadijah – Wahala no they
that one na, She fit follow you go but make una quick come back ohh

Abdulrasaq – Okay ma. Thank you
very much

Mean while Khadijah was very happy as she gets set to follow
abdulrasak. Her brother farook asked to follow them but he’s permission was not
granted and so he was left behind. With the help of Khadijah, Abdulrasaq was able
to pick the little stuff he needed from the market at cheaper rate. On their
way back something happened…