The Green Outfit The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “People should desist from failing to attend the congregational prayers (Jamaat), otherwise Allah will seal their hearts, and then they will be among the negligent.” [Sunan Ibn Majah] When we came across each other, the Adhaan was echoing all around, calling people to prayer. I said to him, “Let me take you to the Masjid. Today is Friday you know.” He said, “You know very well that I do not go to the Masjid.” “I know, and I really wonder why,” I replied. “For one reason or another… but I simply cannot,” he said. “Moreover, I am afraid my trousers will get wrinkled and the knee parts will get worn out.” I could not help laughing. “You must be joking,” I said. “How can you abandon prayer at the Masjid for such a reason?” “I am serious,” he said. “You know very well that I care for my outfit and I am especially fond of the colour green.” He really was. He always selected his outfits in hues of green and wore them hard pressed. “Alright then,” I asked, “Haven’t you ever gone to the Masjid in your life?” “When I was a child I went to the Masjid a couple of times with my grandfather. I mean, I did not care much for wearing out the knee-parts of my trousers then. However, for the time being, I am afraid I will not be able to go to the Masjid.” I was totally shocked and regretted having brought up the topic. We shook hands and went our separate ways. Two months after we had that discussion on the street, they told me he was at the Masjid. I rushed to see him. He was in the front ranks in the courtyard and he was yet again wearing a green outfit. I got to the front and whispered to him, “You told me you would never come to the Masjid, didn’t you?” He did not reply. Because he was lying there, placed on the stone platform in his green-draped coffin, during the funeral service. [Cuneyd Suavi, Hayatin Icinden (Stories from Life)]
Posted on: Mon, 24 Jun 2013 08:26:59 +0000
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