Module 5E-04 Story Time

Story time

Yasir’s special guest

‘How long left?’, called Yasir from the staircase.
‘12 hours dear,’ replied his mum. Yasir came running into the kitchen: ‘Only 12 hours? There’s so much to do before Uncle Akbar comes from Sweden! Let’s plan what we have to do, so everything is ready in time!’, exclaimed Yasir, waving his blue pen and notebook in the air. Yasir and his mum sat at the dining table and listed all the preparations to be made.
Uncle Akbar was coming to visit London for the very first time. Although Yasir had never met his uncle before, he had spoken with him many times, seen pictures, and knew many details about him. He could not wait to meet and spend time with him. Yasir knew that his uncle liked to play badminton; and that he was a great teacher who loved to write poetry and had two daughters called Sumayyah and Zaynab. Yasir also knew Uncle Akbar’s favourite colour, food, and the books he enjoyed reading. Together, he and his mum cooked Uncle Akbar’s chosen dishes. They then cleaned and decorated the house. Yasir even placed a small selection of books by Uncle Akbar’s bedside. When dad left for the airport, Yasir raced upstairs to shower and change into a clean pair of clothes. He was ready!
The bell rang and Yasir rushed towards the door running into Uncle Akbar’s open arms! ‘Salam alaykum Yasir dear!’, cried uncle Akbar joyfully. ‘Alaykum salam!’, replied an overjoyed Yasir.
As they sat for dinner, Uncle Akbar asked Yasir about madrasah. ‘I love madrasah!’, exclaimed Yasir. ‘We are learning about Imam al-Mahdi (a) now! Did you know he was born more than 1,000 years ago? He is still alive today but we cannot see him as he is in ghaybah.’
Uncle Akbar smiled at his nephew and asked: ‘Do you love Imam al-Mahdi (a)?’
‘Of course! I want to be with him when he reappears , inshallah,’ replied Yasir.
‘So why do you not wait for Imam (a) as you waited for me?’
Yasir paused: ‘Hmmmm … so I should prepare myself and my surroundings for Imam’s (a) reappearance? Perhaps I should learn more about him and find out what he likes.’
‘Yes, the reappearance of Imam (a) should preoccupy our minds and drive our daily actions. We should interact with others in such a way that they learn to love Imam (a) and his teachings through our actions. We should yearn to meet with Imam (a) like we yearn to meet our relatives and loved ones. We should aim to be ready for him before he reappears,’ explained Uncle Akbar.
‘Like the way we are ready for iftar before its time has come?’ Yasir asked.
‘Yes, like that,’ chuckled his mum.