Sands of time had an unusual turning of events. The boy looked at the girl and smiled sheepishly. The girl looked at the boy and smiled back. They were reminded of their first encounter at the masjid.

***

This is not a fairytale of a princess being swept off her feet – or a fair maiden giving up her life for that one true love. This is based on a true story of a young boy and a young girl who had parted for Allah’s sake, and had reunited in Allah’s name.

One day it happened so that as a young girl was making her way through the market, a fight erupted causing chaos and distress. She was panic-stricken and disquieted for her life and honor. She paced her steps to get away from the crowd. She looked hither and thither, in quest of a place to hide. She searched with desperation until finally she saw it standing in all its glory.

A mosque.

I will find protection in the house of Allah, she thought to herself as she made her way inside.

Cautiously she pushed the door – it opened with the sound of a gentle creek. Inside was lit a dim lamp – its dying rays struggled to illuminate the surroundings. Beside it sat a boy deeply absorbed in his book. He appeared to be a student of knowledge. The whole masjid was no larger than the size of a small room.

Why have you come here? He was clearly offended by the rude interruption. It seemed the boy was both angry and afraid.

Afraid of a girl?

Her mind was racing. She only had two options: either to stay inside with the stranger – or return to the place of mad men. She shifted her weight uncomfortably from one foot to another. Finally she made a decision.

A fight broke out outside, she explained weighing each word carefully – I live far from here and have come to take refuge in the mosque.

But why are you here? He demanded again, stressing the notion that she was not welcomed there. I’m in-charge of the masjid at this time, I stay here over the night. Your presence here will get me in trouble.

But this is the house of Allah! Surely I can find protection here, my life and honor are at stake outside, her voice was firm now as she stood her ground.

He sighed as he realized the gravity of the matter. Very well then… go sit in that corner. He pointed to the farthest spot he could find in that room. And you can stay there till peace is regained outside.

The girl did not reply, but responded by following the direction he had pointed out. She sank in the corner – pressing her back against the wall as though hoping to melt into it and hide every trace of her existence. Allah will protect me, she reminded herself.

Meanwhile the boy took the lamp and went to sit in another corner of the room. He turned his back towards the girl and became engrossed in the text once again.

The room fell into silence – a silence so loud that she could almost hear it. As she sat there absorbed in her own trail of worries, she noticed a strange thing. The boy slowly lifted one of his fingers and burnt it in the flame of the lantern for a moment or two before taking it out. Then he diverted his attention back towards the book.

The girl was amused and curious to witness this peculiar behavior, but decided not to say anything. She noticed as he kept repeating the same gesture throughout the night – he would read his book for a while, then put his finger in the flame and resume his reading. The entire night passed away in this situation.

At day break, the boy went outside and came back gesturing to the girl to follow him. It is safe now. Let me lead you to your home.

Alright, the girl gave out a sigh of relief as she stood up. Suddenly she remembered something. But first you have to tell me. Why did you keep putting your finger in the fire over and over again?

He opened his mouth to say something but closed it instead and regained his composure.What is it to you, he finally managed. His tone gave away a hint of urgency and annoyance.

I just want to know, came back that firm assertion once again.

He had not wanted to engage in any conversations. The reason he had put his finger in the flame was a personal matter. But the girl was stubborn and he had to get her home quickly.

Fine I will tell you, he replied reluctantly.

Throughout the night shaytaan kept urging me to commit the sin since you and I were alone in the room, he continued. I was scared for myself. I couldn’t trust myself. So I kept putting my finger in the fire to remind myself that…

O slave of Allah, you cannot even tolerate the fire of this dimming flame, then how will you tolerate the fire of Jahannaum that is 70 times stronger?

The girl was astounded by his honesty. The rest of their journey was covered in silence. They parted their ways as she reached the safety of her home. He went back to the masjid.

The family of the girl was overjoyed to find their daughter safe and sound. The girl narrated the whole story to her parents, and of the reply that the boy had given to her question.

Her father, being a respectable man himself, held a high regard for the boy who had so bravely guarded his chastity and modesty. Though the boy was not as well-off as their own family, still the father decided to marry his daughter off to him.

The boy accepted the proposal and soon they tied the knot.

***

Sands of time had an unusual turning of events. The boy looked at his wife and smiled sheepishly. The girl looked at her husband and smiled back. Then Allah the Most Magnificent, the Most Merciful looked at both of them and smiled – sending His Mercy upon their sacred relationship.

***