Ha, Meem.

The revelation of the Book is from Allah, the Exalted in Might, the Knowing.

The forgiver of sin, acceptor of repentance, severe in punishment, owner of abundance. There is no deity except Him; to Him is the (final) destination.

[Surah Ghâfir:1-3]

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14th Ramadan

It was around early dawn when the rain began to fall.. Night reigned and darkness enveloped the whole of Hâ Mîm in black.

In one little inn, slightly old and poor in its state, was a boy in his early teens, lying on a green embroidered prayer mat.

Outside, he could hear the roaring of the wind and rain.

Just a little more.. He whispered as his eyes opened and shut intermittently.

Time was ticking by as the time for Fajr approached steadily.

It was two or so hours after he had first awoken and read his Qur'an that his eyes flickered open. He gazed around.. But his world was all dark.

He could hear it; the loud knocking on the door downstairs over the loud rain.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

"Open up!"The voice was infuriated. By now the owner of the voice was probably soaking wet from the rain.

After some few moments, the voices died down to few whispers below. Zayn got up from the mat, slowly sitting up. Carefully, he felt for his surroundings.

Using a cane he kept nearby for the purpose, he navigated his way to the threshold of the room which he shared with his Ustadh and other companions.

He opened the door a little, and attached his ear to the aperture. He thought he recognized the voice. He never forgets a voice..

"How many groups have lodged here?"

"It's only one. The ones from Tâ Hâ. They came here late last night. Seems all the bigger taverns were full.."A woman's voice responded.

The inn's manageress..

"Hear that Sâm? Apparently no teams have lodged here."The man gave a big belly laugh.

Ustadh Sâmuddîn? He certainly knew him. The Ustadh of Eastern Waterfall halaqah of Tâ Hâ's East district.

"Indeed."

"No need to make any records then, yaa Sayyidi. Tâ Hâ has forfeited the tournament by not being in Hâ Mîm on time."

We clearly came on time. What --. Ustadh.. Zayn felt his Ustadh's hand on his shoulder. Seems he was awake.

"Remember, you'd not see the registrars of the tournament pass by.."The voice referred to as Sâm, added.

"Laa mushkilah!(No problem!). No one would even catch hold of your scents."The manageress voice was surprisingly calm and levelled.

"Na'am! Sorry for bothering you, manageress. Aasifun maratan 'ukhraa(Sorry once again)."

"But why would you come here in this rain if it was only to rule them out?"The woman asked.

"We had no other choice. But for the provincial Amir, who would care for people from the hinterlands." The man spoke with irritation in his voice.

"Those nobodies from Tâ Hâ dared to vie with the King! Now they've got what's coming their way!"

"Keep your voice down, yaa Sayyidi."Sâm said sharply.

"Even forcing us out here in the rain!"It seemed the man didn't care.

"I say, let's forget about it. We came. We saw them not. Once the register is complete, they're out of the tournament.

After all, it's not like they'll win anyway. They've already achieved enough for their petty lifetimes to make it thus far."

"I hope we can count on you, manageress?"Sâm said urgently.

There seemed to be a silent consensus between the men and the woman as no one objected.

"Ustadh.."Zayn said, turning back in his teacher's direction. He had been listening to the conversation quietly for sometime now as it focused on ousting them.

Inaayat opened the door widely and came out."Antadzir huna(Wait here)"

Moving downstairs, he approached the group."Assalaamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh"Zayn felt his voice sounded a bit too glad.

"Ahlan wa sahlan wa marhaban bikum! Ana masrûrun biliqâika, yaa Sâm! I didn't know I'd find you here! Sâmuddîn Wa man akhun?

(Welcome! Welcome! I'm glad to meet you, oh Sâm! ...And who's the brother?)

Who knew you'd come accompany the winning team from Tâ Hâ!"

"Wa alaykas-Salaam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh! Why, if it isn't Akhii Khalîlî!(My brother, my bosom friend!), Inaayat! Ahlân wa sahlan wa marbahaa bika! Huwas-Sayyid Jamal(He's Mr Jamal.). He's in charge of registering the contestants.

I'd arrive here before you though, and was looking forward to meeting you and the boys! Who would have thought we'd meet here."His voice went a little low.

"Salaamun alayka, yaa Sayyidi"Inaayat greeted the man then turned his attention back to Sâm.

They exchanged some hearty conversation in the Arabic language so one would think them very good friends. It were as if the other was not just plotting against his brother before.

Hearing this new flow of conversation, an unsightly expression crossed Zayn's face. The other two conspirators in the room seemed to maintain an awkward silence.

Weren't they the ones previously plotting against us? Zayn really couldn't believe this.

"Well, what for could you have come here? Obviously it must be something of urgency for you to have braved the rain haadhal fajr(this dawn). Perhaps, relating to our entering the GQRC, seeing that you've brought the registrar.

Come in! Let's get seated! Yaa Mar'ah(Oh woman), why don't you treat me and Ad-Duyuuf(The guests) to something?"

The heavy retreating footsteps told Zayn the woman was not too happy.

The sounds paused for a while during which time Zayn could imagine his Ustadh giving that smile of victory Zak had told him about.

After some moments, the conversation resumed.

"Na'am,"Inaayat cleared his throat,"I think I heard something about registering the teams for the tournament from one ah--- Sayyidi Jamal! You must be the Overseer of the competitions hunaa fil Hâ Mîmi(here in Hâ Mîm)?

You couldn't be here to register Tâ Hâ's group right?"

The man nodded tightlipped.

"Haqqan!(Really!) Ah Akhii Sâmuddîn, how kind of you to have led him here to this humble inn. You never seem to surprise me. Abadaa(Never)"He eyed Sâmuddîn as he said these.

"From what I heard, the registrar goes round every major inn searching for the groups to write down their names in the tournament files.

For a time, we were afraid you wouldn't be able to find us here at this far end of Hâ Mîm.

Alhamdulilaah, you must have met Akhii Sâmuddîn from Tâ Hâ. Knowing he's one of us, he led you straight here.

Maasha Allah! Maasha Allah!" The glee in his Ustadh's voice was unmistakable.

Indeed their Ustadh was one of a kind. He could be silent when he wanted so you'd think him mute. And when he wanted to talk, he knew perfectly how to deal with everyone! Zayn appraised proudly.

The silence in the inn after he landed seemed to say; He had crushed all their plans, ..in a beautiful way.

Zayn smiled happily as he closed the door. His sightless tea-coloured orbs showed mirthful glee.

"Alhamdulilaah.."

Thus was the first night and dawn they spent in Hâ Mîm, of the seven days and nights they had to spent there for the second stage of the three stage GQRC tournament.

•••

"Abdul, wait up! With your pace we're leaving Zayn behind.."

Inaayat watched as the boys raced onwards.

They were heading towards the bazaar of Hâ Mîm. It was the second inner circle of the most famed region of the Hâ Mîm towns. It was a marketplace comprising three parts, and the largest gathering on a daily basis was always here, with people from all over!

The only other gathering to surpass it, though on a once-a-year basis, was the final round of the GQRC at the Capital, Madinatu Ânwar.

This came as no surprise, as 'Hâ Mîm towns' was the biggest province in all of Al Qalb-ul-Ard when you put together it's dozen or so sparsely-spread single towns and their large central market area.

Each of its towns was of the size of any one of Tâ Hâ's districts.

"Intadzara!(Wait up!)"Zak cried out again, running after Abdul Bâqi who had taken the lead in his brisk steps, going far ahead of the group.

Abdul Bâqi though, was browsing everything his eyes happened to chance upon, edgy from too much excitement. This was their first official tour through the city since they arrived that night.

"Leave him."Ukashah said, walking at his own gentle pace as he held Zayn's hand, acting as a guide.

"But Ukaaashaa~" Zak whined,"We have to see it together. We don't want anyone getting lost, do we?

I heard this marketplace is the largest commercial area in the whole Country, not even the ones at Yâ Sîn and Tâ Sîn can match."

"I know right!"Abdul Bâqi called over, having heard Zak,"I heard even the fruits here are more tasty than the ones we had at Tâ Sîn. Ladhîdhun~(tasty) you hear me! Ladhîdhun!"He said as he continued in his fast pace.

"Zayn, hunaa(here)."Urwah said, squatting in front of Zayn. He was the tallest of them, and strongest even with his slender build.

"I--"

"Get ooon~~"Zak said excitedly as he also quickened up after Abdul Bâqi,"You don't want him to taste all those delicacies first before us, right?"

"We're fasting.."Ukashah frowned.

"I really don't mind--"

"Here we go!"And Urwah was already moving past Zak.

"Hey! Wait up!"

Now Ukashah was left in the back.

He looked back at their Ustadh who nodded in assent.

He gave a tight smile and hurried after the rest.

Left alone, Inaayat changed his direction. They were already in the marketplace. He had planned to go to a particular place that late morning.

With the boys busy with their tour of the city, this was his best opportunity to gather news of what was happening..

Why would Sâmuddîn be here? Why did he suddenly feel unease seeing the gaze of the people here, wherever they passed?

Why was the inn manageress quick to play foul with them? After all, they had only met the night before.

She had also done so without batting an eye, nor asking for payment..

Something was up in Hâ Mîm.., even before the tournament began.

That's why it's always good to have a circle of friends everywhere. You'd find a place of support amidst the most hostile town..

He walked in the direction north of where he parted with the boys. According to their plan they'd rendezvous at the closest masjid to their parting place, at the time of the 'Asr prayer.

After walking a while..

Burûdah..(Coldness..)

He suddenly felt it, watching the brown and yellow leaves fall from nearby trees.

Yh right. This season was the end stage of Alkharîfu(Autumn).

He pulled his shawl closer and turned in the direction of one particular Coffee shop in the vicinity.

...

"Maasha Allah! Maasha Allah! Maasha Allah!! Yaa Sadîqiy!(Oh My friend!) The Great Inaayat has paid a visit to Hâ Mîm!"

A richly dressed graciously round short man cried out upon seeing Inaayat. He wore an intricately woven large turban like a Sikh, and had a conspicuously styled moustache and beard.

He radiated vivacity, and around him, people similarly dressed with turbans, sat in a large open circle of an open coffee shop.

(Example of such a teashop)

The space inside was wide, and the entrance was only a tapestry curtain which was raised at the moment. The group gathered about him, were sitting on lush animal fur carpets, designed in bright colours.
He seemed to have been standing in the circle's center, demonstrating something, when Inaayat arrived.

Even from afar, the man recognized him and began blithely calling him.

"Yaa ayyuhar-Rajul(Oh man), Who's the gharîb(stranger)?"A person from the gathering questioned.

"Wh-what! You don't know of Al Iskandarī??"

"Only heard the name. Never met him before.."

"Yaa ayyuhan-Naas!(Oh people!) I'll introduce you to a great person! Indeed A Hujjatul-Islâm!"The man began, turning round to face his group, addressing the crowd while pointing to Inaayat,

"He's a travelling Mujtahid and scholar of Ad-Dîn! One of the most famous Quraa' to pass through our lands! A Hafidhul Furqân!"

The short round man then turned to Inaayat who had stopped at the threshold, refusing to enter.

The man embarrassingly moved over quickly, to hold Inaayat's hands in a handshake with his two small palms. With a smile, he began bombarding Inaayat with questions even whilst forcibly pulling the Sheikh into the room.

"How's little Hilya ..and the blind boy.. What's was his name again, Zaid?"

All the while, he was waiting for rebuke from the scholar for his earlier excessive praising. He saw overt frown lines gather on Inaayat's forehead. But Inaayat did nothing, except take the ta'awwudh, and sigh heavily.

In previous times, the short man would receive a bear-hug and then have a hearty conversation.

But none of that came..

Seeing the lost look on the scholar's face, he understood the situation might not all be well.

"Yalla! Yalla! Make way for the scholar!"The short round man said, his hand making a motioning gesture. Immediately, the gathering opened up to give Inaayat a sitting spot.

Indeed all was not well with the scholar. He usually had a bright smile on his face whenever he passed by Hâ Mîm. But now, he looked tired..

And where was that little sunshine of a girl who always walked with him, and the pretty boy?

•••

Meanwhile, somewhere in the vast moving crowd of the central marketplace, five boys were stuck in a traffic jam.

Having entered into the bazaar, they were caught up with sightseeing the many beautiful things.

Soon enough, Dhuhr and 'Asr met them in the marketplace, and they had to find the masaajid around to pray.

"It's time to meet with Ustadh at that masjid, but -- we're halfway across the market from the rendezvous.

Also, we haven't yet purchased all the items for the iftâr. Ustadh wouldn't be so happy about that..

Should we start making for the masjid or purchase the remaining stuffs?"Urwah asked, a worried expression on his face.

"Then what's left for us to purchase, Abdul?"Zak asked, turning to face Abdul Bâqi. He had already exhausted himself terribly due to the hectic tour. It was so because navigating your way around such a market as here in Hâ Mîm, was not an easy one.

Fumbling helplessly through the scores of bags he carried, Abdul Bâqi ticked on a list.

"Ah yes.. 'Tis left with the melons."He smiled brightly at them.

"Melons left! For Iftâr.. Purchase melons! Selling melons! Purchase melons! Sel..."

"Eh? This woman must be a clairvoyant."

Abdul Bâqi looked at the old woman selling the melons. There were many similar stalls down that lane. All were selling melons, with several buyers making their purchases for the near iftâri time.

However, among the many stalls that made up that line, no one was coming to her stall to make a purchase. And boy, did she have a whole bunch!

There were melons everywhere; on her three carts, her table, lying on the floor, all around her.

"Let's buy from her!"

He didn't understand why people weren't buying from the old lady. Curiosity getting the better of him, and seeing no other vendor around, he run up to her.

On her feet yelling, she held a large watermelon in both hands. Her efforts in trying to attract buyers proved futile as Abdul Bâqi approached her.

"Yaa Fataa, Salaamun alayka! How can I help you?"She looked pleasingly at the boy who walked straight towards her.

"I want to buy a melon."Abdul Bâqi laughed, smiling charmingly at her.