Chapter 2

SHABBIR RETURNS TO THE HILLS

13th of Jumaada al-THaany 1416

(November 7, 1995)

The morning came with more sweat. Shabbir’s bites itched again. He found distaste in the morning. Through the spaces of cardboard he could see the slum-dwellers walking, yelling, and selling things on the trail. Fatima confusedly awoke confused and begged him to sleep longer.

“I can’t,” he whispered. “My family worries for me.”

“A few more minutes, just a few more.”

“I can’t. The trail is already crowded. I have missed my prayers.”

“Then go if you must,” she said.

“How do I get out of here?”

“When will I see you again?”

“How do I get out of here? My family must be worried, I can’t stand it when they worry.”

“Who?”

“My wife and my daughter, even your uncle.”

“He’s not really my uncle.”

“Not your uncle? Shrika would never lie to us.”

“I don’t want to get him in trouble, but just so the truth is known, he is not my uncle.”

“I can’t believe Shrika would lie to us.”

“So you’re just taking off, is that it?”

“What more do you want?”

“How quickly you forget.”

“I have a wife and child. There is no way I can see you again. With the exception of fifteen minutes, the visit was a nightmare. I have to find my way out.”

“By the time you get home, you’ll want to come back.”

“Nothing happened last night.”

Shabbir Hussein found his way back to the hills, asking slum dwellers for directions along the way. His damaged face blended in, but he had no money to buy clothes. Out of fear he wrapped some cloth around his head.

He arrived at Drakni Drive an hour later. Despite his attempt to unbind him, Shrika would not let go of his knees. Sakina, holding their daughter, came to the courtyard to see his swollen face. They were loaded with questions. Shabbir had plenty of time to concoct answers. His wife did not pry right away. She instead prepared an ice bag and led him to a warm bath. He reaked of body odor. Sakina was careful not to come too close. In the tub, she fired away. The police had been called. She was not satisfied with his explanations. She said he acted stupidly preaching the faith to the poor.

“We cannot afford to wait,” said Shabbir at lunchtime. “Allah has put the power in me to help them. It is my job and my duty, and Allah sent me visions to get to the slums and contribute. When Allah calls, I cannot wait to tell my wife and child where He has sent me.”

“Allah be praised!” cried Shrika.

“No! At that moment I had to leave my home, and notice how he chose a time when all three of you were out of the house. Notice how I come back with nothing but bruises and filthy garments. It was Allah’s lesson, teaching me how the slums are growing out of control. So many down there transgress against the faith, and many wept on my shoulder and asked me to pray for them. Many down there are living a life of sin, but some I’ve changed. I said to them: ‘Adopt the view of Allah’s followers and praise the Creator. He alone is watching over you. And with it I can promise you salvation and glory.”

“Allah be praised!” cried Shrika.

“I was speaking to a whole bunch of them in the dust right outside those shacks, and after I finished my sermon, they all held my knees. They promised they would give praise to Allah and follow the writings in the Qu’ran. It was truly an amazing sight.

“Never before have I felt so endeared to the poor of our city. But I stayed there too long. I had been preaching the whole night through, and when it came time to journey back to the hills, I was jumped by three youths. I didn’t bring any money. They just ripped my clothes off, and when I tried to defend myself, I got this swollen face. It was a sign from Allah that there are enemies of the faith, and that I should keep on my toes.”

“Allah be praised!” shouted Shrika.

“Indeed!” replied Shabbir who munched on a chicken bone.

“It was foolish of you,” Sakina said. “You could have been killed.”

“Allah is watching over me and protecting me. I had faith nothing too drastic would happen. You as my wife should have a bit more faith.”

“Just don’t do it again,” countered Sakina.