Maths makes sense

i² = -1;   =>   i² less than 0

 

Praying to the Almighty, supplicating for all my desires; I was in the Grand Mosque in Madinah, what was going to be my last day as I would be leaving for India the next morning. So, I wanted to make use of my last moments, asking the Almighty for my selfish needs.

 

A certain location in the Grand Mosque in Madinah, known as Riyaz-Ul-Jannah. As muslims would know,  huge significance is imparted to this area, and people jostle to get into it to pray. I was lucky to get through.

 

The person sitting beside me was praising and thanking the Almighty loudly, I was supplicating for my selfish needs, which were: admission into a top institute, a job with a lavish salary, maybe a contract from Arsenal FC, all the happiness in the world, best of both worlds, etc.

"Assalam Alaikum"

 someone beside was greeting me.  I was disturbed since, it was clear that I was busy supplicating and I glanced at him annoyingly.

 I saw he was an old man probably in his late 70’s. I quickly returned the greetings, to get back to praying. But, it didn’t stop there. 

"Jawwal fii"    (do you have a mobile?   he asks me)

Naam   ( Yes,   I replied)

 He then gave me his diary and asked me if I could place a call to his son named Ibrahim. Perturbed, I pushed my phone towards him, so that he could make the call himself. Instead, he pushed his diary to me. I took it, searched for Ibrahim and was glad to note that the number was 50xxxx , seemed a local number.

 

But, the operator informed that the number is incorrect. I tell this to him, thinking that it would be all but then he gives me names of 3 others, asking me to call atleast one. When none worked, I asked him where his sons stay. He replied Ramallah. Suddenly, everything changed. Ramallah is in Palestine, a nation I admire. Now, helping him was my duty.

 

I needed the Palestine calling code, and asked him for it, but he didn’t understand. I flipped through his diary and got it. Called up Ibrahim. He spoke to his son, weeping asked about everyone back home, praised and thanked Allah; and then with thanks and good wishes returned my phone. I was delighted I could help him. I asked him about Palestine, and present happenings. His reply was things were not good back home. Shortly, then I continued with my supplications.

 

The next hour or so, the man kept praying and thanking the Almighty, all he supplicated was for  forgiveness of his sins, sometimes weeping, tears rolling down his cheeks. Sitting beside him, I was only supplicating for my desires. I felt ashamed that a man, with a limp leg, in his late 70’s from a country where life cannot get harder; 70 odd years of a hard life, and he still praises and thanks Allah. I hear him weeping. I wonder why I never cried while praying. 

 

After prayer, he asks me if I am staying or leaving. I tell him, I have to leave. He thanks me again for making the phone call, and wishes Allah bless me. He then, kisses me on my cheeks, and my hands. I look at those tears rolling down his cheeks, my eyes close out of shame and humility. I opened them and his eyes were right in front of mine. Something about them made me look closely. 

I realized that…………………………………………………

……………………………………………….. 

he was blind.

 

I sat beside a person for 2 hours, spoke to him and could not realize that he was blind. I wondered if I was the one who was blind.

On my way out, I thought, 2 good eyes could not produce tears of gratitude and humility, and a man with no eyes could.

 

Like the heading went, the power of 2 eyes ( i’s) is less than none,

 

I guess maths does make sense (atleast the imaginary part does)