The Young Scholar Episode 17

Author’s POV
Life is a mystery. No one can tell what future we have and every decision we make shapes it. William Hazlitt says “The art of life is to know how to enjoy a little and to endure very much.”

When Abdulrasaq got home that evening, the whole neighborhood were worried about what was going on. With the little things he had done and the character he portrayed, they were firmly with him.

Mummy Habib – Welcome Abdulrasaq, Asalamu alaikum

Mummy Khadijah – Asalamu alaikum mallam Abdulrasaq

Daddy Khadijah – Asalamu alaikum Abdulrasaq

Abdulrasaq – wa alaikum salam!!!… I’m the one who is supposed to sallam to everyone. You are in group.

Daddy Khadijah – We know but that is by the way, we have to inform you about what is going on lately in town.

Abdulrasaq – Okay sir, What’s the matter?

Daddy Khadijah – Rumours have gone round about you and one of the SS2 girl boldly testify that you are dating her and she visits you everyday for evening lesson and you got her pregnant and got her to abort the child.

Abdulrasaq – (felt so weak, at this point and didn’t even know what to say) Hmmm (he breathe heavily)

Mummy Khadijah and the rest of the neighbors were surprised to hear this part of the story from Daddy Khadijah.

Mummy Khadijah – ahh Daddy Khadijah, I thought it’s just the students writing letters to Abdulrasaq and him dating them?

Daddy Khadijah – No my wife, this issue is very serious and spreading like wildfire we your neighbors know who you truly are and we know you can’t do something like that. We are going to defend you in any way we can.

Abdulrasaq – Alhamdulilah, I see even though the majority still have that hatred me, those who truly know me are ready to defend me. But the final say is with Allah.

Khadijah and her siblings were watching from inside their home. She was worried about Abdulrasaq’s terrible situation and so she observed two rakah and made duas for him.

Abdulrasaq – Insha Allah by on Monday I’ll get to explain the whole thing to the principal.

Mummy Khadijah – I don’t think anyone is going to believe you.

Abdulrasaq – why do you say that?

Mummy Summaiyah – Because the young girls are bodly accusing you of committing this crime.

Mummy Khadijah – We know someone is behind this whole thing but we don’t know who

Abdulrasaq – (Feeling worried and out of ideas) I will have to go and sleep now.

Daddy Khadijah – Okay please don’t be worried okay, Allah will help us fight this for you.

They all Answered – Amin

Abdulrasaq enters his home with a sad heart, depressed. The Young Scholar is facing the greatest trial of his life and even though he had all the hope that Allah will help him face it he was still very worried. The night became so long and the clock tick slower than usual, His eyes were wide open and thoughts was going through his head. He couldn’t sleep and so he observed Qiyam for the whole night.
The next morning, his friends Habib, Yusuf and Rasak came to greet him at home.

Yusuf – Abdulrasaq what happened you didn’t come to the masjid for Subhi

Abdulrasaq – I couldn’t sleep the whole night, after observing tashahud I rest my head on my bed and I woke up not quite long. So I just observed subhi at home

Razzy – You look pale… You going through alot lately.

Habib – May Allah help you come out of this and expose the perpetrators.

Abdulrasaq – Amin… See i want you guys to keep the dawah going. Try as much as possible to make sure people remember Allah in my absence.

Yusuf – what are you talking about Young Scholar?

Razzy – Yes, what are you talking about? What absence?

Abdulrasaq – I can feel it… I’d be absent for a long while. This is fate!

Yusuf – oh my Young Scholar please don’t talk like that.

As they were talking, they head a knock on the door. And they all came out to see who it was

Inspector segun – I’m inspector segun from the area 2 command. And this are my colleagues (pointing at two other officers) We are here because of one Mr Abdulrasaq Mohammed, please identify yourself

Yusuf – That’s me
Abdulrasaq – That’s me
Razzy – That’s me
Habib – That’s me

Abdulrasaq was surprised with the behaviour of his friends.

Inspector segun – we are not here for joke
Mummy Khadijah, Mummy Habib and Mummy Summaiyah came out from their house.

The women shouted – You are not taking anybody from this compound officers. We no go let Una at all.

Inspector segun – please women stay out of this (he arranged his gun as a means to threaten them).

Mummy Khadijah – (approached inspector segun) please go, I don’t know who send you come here. Nobody they find trouble for this compound.

Inspector segun – madam mind your business. This matter does not concern you.

Mummy Summaiyah – he concern us oo, na our innocent pikin who na they accuse of many things.

Inspector segun – no one accused him of anything, If he’s not a criminal let him identify himself and stop this games

Abdulrasaq – Please officers what is my offense?..

Inspector segun – The law has found you guilty. You’re responsible for the death of Precious Anord the daughter of Mr Anord Simon.

Abdulrasaq – What??

To be continued….

Written by Masud Umoru