The Young Scholar Chapter 2 Episode 3

 20 hours earlier…

A Muslim woman selling provisions in the market offered Abdulrasaq a sit… While the children and rest of the crowd kept hailing him
Crowd – Young Scholar! Young Scholar! Young Scholar!….

Mama Oyibo – It’s okay… Ahh make Una give am space first. (She address the crowd)

Mama Oyibo – Please sit my Mallam… It’s been a very long time.. almost 12years now. Where have you been?

Abdulrasaq – Truly it’s been a long time and I didn’t intend to stay away this long. But I had to for some reasons best known to me. No day passes by without me being held back in thought that I might lose something I cherish and miss a lot. Apelle is my home now and I’m back to stay.

Mama Oyibo – hmmm… This is really touching.. but I hope you were able to finish up what held you till this time?

Abdulrasaq – Yes ma. And I’m back… How is the family?

Mama Oyibo – They’re fine… We all happy to see you. And I hope you remembered us?

Abdulrasaq – Yes of course… Can’t forget in a hurry…

Mama Oyibo – (Offered him a drink and sausage) here… Take this one take step down.

Abdulrasaq – Jazakallahu hayran… But you shouldn’t have worry yourself to offer me a meal.

Mama Oyibo – Na dat small thing you dey call meal?… E no reach the dawah when you do for us. You changed our lives. See how Islam has grown.

Abdulrasaq – It’s not by my will… It’s a promise of Allah that must come true. I am only a warner and a reminder to people who believe and also to myself.

Mama Oyibo – Thank you very much.. May Allah continue to bless you. And ease your task.

Abdulrasaq – (smiled) Amin… Thank you ma… And Thanks to everyone for welcoming me with all thy heart (He faced the crowd and then He stood up) You all make me feel like a superhero, I really do appreciate this. Together we will fight for the cause of Allah and May He bestow his mercy upon us.

Abdulrasaq left the market and went to the masjid to greet his people. He got to find out that a lot has happened these past years.

Abdulrasaq – Asalamu Alaikum sir… (He sallam to Mallam Jibril and Mallam Sani)

Mallam Sani – Abdulrasaq..  wa alaikum salam (he stood up to welcome him)

Mallam Jibril – Wa alaikum salam (tears in his eyes as he felt guilty for ignoring him when he was on trial) You’ve grown

Abdulrasaq – (Smiling…) How are you all doing?

Mallam Sani – Alhamdulilah… We are fine

Abdulrasaq – What of My Amir… Imam Malik?

Mallam Jibril – you didn’t hear what happened?..

Abdulrasaq – No..  I hope he’s fine?

Mallam Sani – (humm… He signed) He’s with Allah.

Abdulrasaq – (Tears) When did this happen?…

Mallam Sani – Two years ago..

Abdulrasaq – Ina lillahi wa ina illaihi rajihun… May Allah have mercy on his soul. (They replied: Ameen ) He was a father to me… So painful I didn’t get to say goodbye.

Mallam Jibril – He was a father to us too…

Abdulrasaq – What of Mallam Ahmed?

Mallam Sani – He’s fine… He’s our new Imam. You’ll get to see him once it’s time for Salat.

Abdulrasaq – Masha Allah…

Mallam Sani – Yusuf is our new Dawah chairman, Habib is the mosque chairman and Razaq the muazzim…They are doing this job perfectly. This were the person you left us with an it’s why everyone is so grateful for all you did.

Abdulrasaq – Masha Allah… may Allah continue to reward them for holding on while I was gone.

Mallam Jibril – Now that you are back, what you intend to do to help us again in the aspect of Islam?

Abdulrasaq – (Smiles…) Allah guides. And He will still guide me on what next.

Mallam Jibril – Inshallah..

Abdulrasaq – Is time for Salat…

Mallam Sani – Yes… And Razaq is here to make the Adhan.

Razzy – (Entering the masjid… He look up and saw Abdulrasaq) Young Scholar (he eyes wide open as seems surprised) is this really you? (He ran to hug him)

Abdulrasaq – it’s me bro.. it’s me. I’m back.

Razzy – It’s good to have you back.. mehnn.. We’ve missed you so much.. (he dragged his hands) come and make the Adhan so everyone will know you are back.

Abdulrasaq – (smiles) No bro.. you should do that. It’s your task and I need to perform ablution.

Razzy – Come on…. Can’t I share my task with my loved one?… I’ll wait till you finish your ablution.  

Abdulrasaq – (Smiles) Next time Razzy I’ll make the call. Probably tomorrow morning.. Insha Allah.

Razzy – If you say so… Habib and Yusuf will be so happy to see you… (He proceeds and made the call for Salat)

After the Asr Salat, Yusuf and Habib saw the the Young Scholar… They embraced each other and talked about how much they missed him. Most of all Yusuf reminds him of someone who missed him the most and how she kept turning down all her suitors. Abdulrasaq felt so bad hearing this and he couldn’t wait any longer  to see her.

They discussed together for a very long hour and they had to stay and observe Maghrib and Ishai before they thought of leaving the masjid.

As they approach Khadijah’s new place, They saw a car zooming off..

Abdulrasaq – Does Daddy Khadijah now owns a car? (He asked)

Yusuf – No at all.. that must be one of Khadijah’s suitors vehicle.

Abdulrasaq – Ohhh… They still keep coming?

Habib – for now I think it’s just one..

They got the house and then knocked and Sallam….

Aminat – wa alaikum salam (she answered from inside and came out to see who it was) Subhanallah!! (She screamed… Mummy oohh come and see who came oo) (tears roll down her chicks)

Mummy Khadijah, Daddy Khadijah, Faruk and  Samad all ran out to see who it was…

Faruk – Young Scholar??

Mummy Khadijah – Am I dreaming??

Abdulrasaq – (smiling… ) No you’re not.. How are you all doing? And Where is Khadijah?

Everyone kept silent… For these question is indeed big to answer…

To be Continued…

Written by Masud Umoru