The Prophet ﷺ stated, “A girl is married for 4 issues: her wealth, her household standing, her magnificence and her faith. So it is best to marry the spiritual lady, in any other case, you’ll lose out.” [Sahih al-Bukhari 5090]
As soon as upon a time within the Land of the Sundown, a service provider named Aderfi Yaqoob lived along with his six youngsters. Being a person of the market, he had excessive hopes that not solely would his youngsters be retailers like him, however sultans of greater than souks.
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Shortly after his eldest son grew to become sufficiently old to carry a noticed, he quickly joined Souk Chouari and its carpenters. When his center son might first maintain a hammer, he rushed to be an apprentice of considered one of Souk Haddadine’s blacksmiths. And his youngest son, fabric in hand, was welcomed eagerly by the cobblers of Souk Smata. All three brothers started to spend longer and longer hours of their respective markets, neglecting their growing older father at house, adamant that such time within the souks can be invested into their father’s safety later.
Aderfi additionally had daughters, however that they had little curiosity in working within the markets. As a substitute, they liked spending cash in these markets. After their mom handed, Aderfi tried to console his eldest daughter with jewellery from Souk Dhabia and his center daughter with fragrance from Souk Attarine.
However the youngest was peculiar; she by no means requested for something the way in which her two older sisters did. It was her father’s firm that was invaluable to her, and never what he might buy. Recognized for the fantastic thing about her character and look, it was no shock that she was a girl of her identify: “Jameela.”
Lanterns of the souks [PC: Dario Ciraulo (unsplash)]
The brothers quickly grew to become profitable of their crafts. Lots of the ladies in Marrakech whispered to their fathers about Aderfi’s sons, looking for them out for his or her promising careers and amassing wealth. For them to be married to retailers, too, would have boosted their reputations.
His daughters additionally acquired quite a few marriage proposals— however for most of the identical causes. Bachelors noticed the women as stunning, rich, and associated to the best service provider in Maghreb. Sadly, not one of the males noticed these girls for his or her advantage. Jameela, in fact, acquired essentially the most proposals of all. Nonetheless, she additionally declined the proposals greater than her sisters did. Together with her older siblings seemingly able to be married at any minute, Jameela as an alternative selected to remain at house together with her father for just a few years extra.
An Angel is Close to
Then tragedy struck. International troopers took over the souks. The leather-based meant for Souk Cherratin was taken and adorned by the troopers, and the carpets for Souk Zrabi laced their properties as an alternative of these of the Amazigh. Dyes from Souk Sebbagine spilled the streets till the individuals surrendered.
With nothing however the garments on their backs, Aderfi and his youngsters fled to their nation house far-off from the markets. Each units of little kids misplaced their suitors and brides-to-be. The daddy grew to become a shepherd as an alternative of a vendor, and his youngsters selected labor in mild of dropping love.
All of them needed to stay awake earlier than the solar rose. The boys had been used to a fast nap after fajr, ready till the opposite individuals awoke to buy their wares. However now they dragged themselves from their heat beds to herd animals, are likely to the earth, and hunt predators away. The ladies stayed inside the house, making butter from the milk, retrieving eggs from the chickens, and feeding the animals. It was a tough life, they usually all complained about it… save for Jameela. As a substitute of groaning like her brothers and moaning like her sisters, she recited salawat as she labored, and beamed on the cry of each rooster.
“An angel is close to!” she stated fortunately every time.
Aderfi nodded, and responded, “There may be, certainly.”
A 12 months handed. Someday, Aderfi acquired a letter from a fellow service provider. The letter detailed that the troopers had relaxed their rules. A lot of them had shipped items house to their households, and needed extra. And the one one who might navigate the paths of every souk was none apart from Aderfi.
He wept for pleasure, and proclaimed “Alhamdulillah!” His sons would have jobs once more! His daughters wouldn’t endure from breaking cookware and previous garments! All proper earlier than Ramadan. What a blessing!
Wiping away his tears, he requested his youngsters what they needed when he returned. His daughters answered virtually instantly—a brand new pot from Souk Fekharine, and a copper kettle from Souk Seffarine. The brothers, staying again to guard their sisters, requested their father for related issues as presents to their former fiances, hoping they could possibly be satisfied to return.
When it was Jameela’s flip, she, too, needed to pause to rub her eyes. “Jazakum Allahu khayran,” she stated. As normal, there was nothing she actually needed, apart from her father’s secure return. However she checked out her siblings, who appeared able to tease her if she refused. “If it was one factor I might by no means discover within the souk, it was a desert rose.”
Aderfi obliged. In Marrakech, he was welcomed as an honored man by the locals. “Ramadan Mubarak!” they informed him. Souk Nejjarine was full of lovely picket decorations, and Souk Semmarine was filled with Eid presents.
Nonetheless, he rapidly found that almost all of his service provider mates had additionally fled in worry. All of his sons’ former employers had been gone, and it took Aderfi hours to persuade the brand new sellers for a place for every considered one of them once more. The pay was a lot much less after occupation, as effectively. However Aderfi knew his sons, and they’d desire it to farm work any day.
However simply because the pay was much less, the costs had been greater. Aderfi struggled to work out offers with the brand new sellers—a few of them even troopers’ wives. Afraid of being accused of inflicting hassle, he retreated with solely two presents for his daughters.
For the second time, he left Marrakech defeated. His coronary heart was so heavy, and his ideas so preoccupied, that he rode by way of the desert with out wanting about him. Quickly sufficient, he grew to become misplaced. His horse, too, was unable to seek out his means. Terror started to eat him. He won’t make it house in time for Ramadan.
The winds whipped and sand swept into his eyes, and the solar continued to sink. When it was time to wish Maghrib, he sank into sajdah, begging Allah for a means out.
A Palatial Oasis
Simply when he thought there was no means for him to return house, he stumbled upon a stupendous oasis. Date palms encircled a stupendous white veranda. Bushes of jasmine and plentiful timber of tangerines appeared to open their arms in the direction of him.
Dar al-Bayda? he puzzled as he crept nearer. Casablanca? No, it couldn’t be. As he led his horse to a close-by pond, he stored wanting round himself in disbelief. Not a soul was current. However he knew somebody needed to dwell right here, in any other case, this place wouldn’t be as well-maintained because it was.
“As-salamu alaykum!” he referred to as as he entered the ornate veranda. Nobody responded. But all the things was meticulously adorned and immaculately clear. The flooring had been product of tile and lofty pillars held up an intricately designed roof. A creeping sense of fear started to fill Aderfi’s thoughts. By all appearances, he may need stepped right into a overseas soldier’s abode, and he could possibly be arrested for trespassing.
![the beast - a short story](https://c7c8edde.rocketcdn.me/wp-content/uploads/mert-kahveci-DS8f4Gzj-Q8-unsplash-scaled.jpg)
![the beast - a short story](https://c7c8edde.rocketcdn.me/wp-content/uploads/mert-kahveci-DS8f4Gzj-Q8-unsplash-scaled.jpg)
An ornate oasis [PC: Mert Kahveci (unsplash)]
However a heat fireplace was lit up forward, and the desert chilly was unforgiving exterior. He thought to take a seat and wait to elucidate himself. He cleared his throat once more, and took just a few extra moments to compose himself by the fireplace. Maybe his host was praying.
“I solely imply to remain till ‘Isha. After which, I’ll arrange camp exterior,” he stated aloud. Nothing however the empty air responded to him. Aderfi continued to go searching at his environment. He was within the salon, and likely, there may be employees making ready for dinner. When he peered into the subsequent room, certainly, he discovered a variety of meals already laid out. A tajine with contemporary rooster, apricots, and plums, bathed in turmeric and different spices. There have been different delights round it; couscous with raisins, crimson onions, crimson bell peppers, fish chermoula, b’sarra soup, and a flaky b’stilla pastry. His mouth watered, however he returned again to the salon.
“Would possibly I be a part of you to your meal?” he requested aloud to his unseen host. “After which take relaxation for the rest of the night time? I solely want to wait till Fajr, after which I will probably be out of your means.”
‘Isha got here, introduced by a clock loitering on the wall. After he prayed, Aderfi couldn’t restrain himself, and ate to his coronary heart’s content material. The grasp of the home by no means got here to affix him. He promised to recompense him, and went into the close by room—clearly made up for a visitor. Covers softer than his mattress in Marrakech, with thread woven by solely essentially the most expert weaver.
Aderfi marveled on the sight. It was virtually as if the grasp was ready for him. A contemporary djellaba and heat bathwater was ready for him. Maybe it was an angel? He thanked Allah profusely as he drifted off.
When he awoke for fajr, Aderfi might nonetheless hardly imagine his eyes. His garments from the earlier night time, now clear, had been laid out on the dresser for him, and there was contemporary water for him as soon as extra. He made wudhu and prayed that the grasp would have all the things his coronary heart desired for his kindness.
Breakfast was mild, however nonetheless fantastic nonetheless. Freshly picked mint tea and baghrir pancakes, with honey, cheese, and jam to go along with it.
“I want that you’d be a part of me, variety seedee,” Aderfi stated earlier than he ate. “We’re brothers; it is just applicable that we eat collectively.”
No response, nonetheless. Aderfi determined to pinch himself, and—no—nonetheless not a dream. Wanting to not hassle the type grasp anymore, he tidied after himself as a lot as attainable, and went exterior. His horse was nonetheless ready on the pond, though it was clear somebody had gone to take care of him. He was chewing on hay and appeared freshly groomed. Disappointment consumed him. A service provider being unable to pay a grasp; really, there was no humiliation like this.
Simply as he turned to depart, he noticed one thing stunning within the backyard—bushes of desert roses. They’d been masked solely by the opposite flowers. Aderfi instantly remembered his promise to Jameela, and hurriedly rushed to select one.
A horrible roar crammed the air.
The Trade
Aderfi felt his coronary heart leap into his chest. Bounding in the direction of him was a terrific werehyena, eyes glowing with fury. Because the service provider stumbled again onto his legs, screaming in worry, he noticed that the werehyena wore a torn cape.
The grasp of the home.
“Ya Seedee—!” Aderfi cried.
The werehyena scoffed. An unpleasant sound; his black nostril flared and his garish tooth pulled again to point out crimson gums. “I’m no instructor. However you—” he stated, leaning in nearer, “are a thief!”
“Please,” he whimpered, “In Marrakech, I used to be essentially the most famed service provider—”
“You then would know how horrible of a factor it’s to take from others!” The werehyena pulled again, snarling, his eyes two pupils of crimson fury. “A service provider who steals. Ha! And I assumed I had skilled all the things there was on this world.”
“Seedee, I swear by Allah—”
“Sufficient of your lies and easy speak! I do know what you consider me. Silly service provider, you flatter your prospects within the hopes that they’re beneficiant to you. Name me the way you see me. A beast. Now beg, and with sincerity this time.”
“I solely considered giving this to my daughter, not myself! If I might give again your whole kindness in trade for this one rose, I’d accomplish that. You have got been so merciful to me—”
“Certainly, I remorse it.” The werehyena stood on its hind legs, towering above Aderfi, looking out his eyes for any form of sincerity. “Effectively, it ought to solely be honest, then, that it is best to dwell to see her take pleasure in it—together with different roses, sure?”
Aderfi, dumbfounded, nodded.
“Carry her to me. That is your trade.” Then the werehyena snorted. “And I swear by Allah… I can monitor down any scent. Do you have to disagree with our deal, our cut price will probably be changed with you as an alternative.” One other snort. “Take this compass with you, along with your daughter’s identify in your coronary heart, and it’ll present you the place she is.”
Horrified, Aderfi glanced on the compass. It started to regulate its true north and pointed within the route of his house. He rode crammed with dread, figuring out that his return to security would imply her doomed captivity.
It was ironic, then, to have his sons welcome him with nice hugs and his daughters with kisses. With trepidation, he introduced to the sons of their new positions of labor below occupation. They groaned, however stated alhamdulillah for the advance of their fortune. Aderfi’s daughters responded in an reverse method, enthusiastic on the sight of their presents, and forgetting their father.
For Jameela, although, it was as if she had acquired a chest of gold. “Ma sha Allah,” she stated in awe on the desert rose. She pressed it to her nostril and inhaled deeply. “It’s stunning. Jazak Allahu Khayran, Baba!”
On the sight of his stunning daughter having fun with freedom for the final time, Aderfi burst into tears. “Ya binti,” he wept. “This was the costliest present of all of them.” He then informed his youngsters all the things that had occurred on the mysterious veranda. His daughters might hardly imagine him, however, able to eliminate their sister (whom that they had by no means been very keen on to start with), cried crocodile tears. The brothers, in related disbelief, thought their father was merely displaying indicators of age. Jameela, although, was quiet and contemplative.
“Alhamdulillah,” she stated. “Our father discovered a means out from his predicament, and I’m able to go in his stead. He can spend Ramadan in his house and never in captivity. Baba, allow us to go rapidly. We should always not quick from meals whereas being unable to maintain our guarantees to others.”
“Don’t depart!” her sisters wept, the corners of their mouths twitching with hypocrisy. “Our treasured, beloved sister!”
“Sure, Baba, allow us to go along with you!” His sons urged. “We will slay that beast!”
“No,” Aderfi asserted. “You could keep and watch your sisters—”
“And I will keep by your aspect. I’ll comply with you everytime you depart.” Jameela left instantly to pack her issues and people of her father’s. He knelt quietly at his majlis, too stricken to talk.
Aderfi didn’t sleep effectively that night time, however there was nothing that could possibly be performed by the point the solar rose. He and Jameela set off in the direction of the veranda, with worry of the beast of their hearts. Their solely consolation was the hilal that shone above them, marking the primary night time of Ramadan.
Upon their arrival, the veranda was empty. Aderfi thought, at first, that the beast had died. However as he wandered by way of the salon, the visitor room, and the eating room, he discovered that it was all as he had encountered earlier than. As if the home had been being ready for somebody to go to.
“Ya Seedee,” he referred to as out. “I’ve introduced my daughter as a part of our settlement. Have mercy on her and present her the identical kindness you confirmed me. I encourage of you.”
From the darkness of the room, the werehyena responded. “I’ve eyes, thieving service provider. Go, take pleasure in your meal along with your daughter. It is going to be your final.”
The 2 of them ate quietly at one other marvelous unfold for dinner, although neither had a lot of an urge for food. Each retired, and Jameela discovered that her room had been elaborately adorned. Not a single wall was uncovered; there have been bookshelves crammed from ceiling to ground and essentially the most beautiful Arabic calligraphy she had ever seen. Finely-crafted lanterns had been scattered throughout.
The mattress was essentially the most snug she had ever slept in. Jameela dreamt that she was topped the sultana of Al-Maghreb. At suhur, she informed her father her dream. He succumbed to emotion; it was what he all the time needed for his youngsters.
Eventually, the time got here for her to bid farewell to her father. Each of them cried; she on her father’s chest and him on her shoulder.
“It’s not too late for me to remain in your stead, Jameela,” he whispered. “Let this Ramadan be my final. You have got many extra to stay up for.”
However Jameela shook her head and fought again extra tears. He rode again out within the desert, and when Jameela circled once more, she discovered the werehyena just some inches away.
“Bismillah,” she exclaimed. “The beast!”
***
[to be continued…]
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