The moving story of a Rajput girl who embraces Islam and is then martyred by her own family for the tenacity of her conviction. Hira’s murder seemed insignificant in the light of so many others similar to it, or more brutal. Yet, the striking effect it had on those in its proximity was cosmic. It shook their foundation, their beliefs, their way of life, their very existence! “O Allah! Aren’t you watching me? O Allah! Am I not your beloved? O Allah! Your love is sufficient for me, I do not need anyone!” These were the last, heart- wrenching words, lamented by Hira, carried away by the echoing waves of the tumultuous river, penetrating into the still- born souls of idol- worshippers. Hira, an outgoing, impulsive and bubbly teenager was the first born in an orthodox Hindu Rajput family of Budhana village. Her father and uncle were members of an infamous bandit group. Looting, plundering and crime had come to them by blood. After finishing her formal schooling, she applied for her high school against the wishes of her conservative family. To raise funds for her school fee, she toiled in the fields, and unable to understand the higher books, sought the help of a Brahmin girl in the neighborhood whose brother belonged to a dacoit gang who had their headquarters in the nearby dense forest. He seduced and talked the unsuspecting Hira into eloping with him to the forest. Once there, Hira realized the enormity of her mistake and instantly regretted her hasty, but life-altering, decision. She thought of her family, and its name – Rajput – which was dearer to them than their lives, and now her one naïve act had scarred it with scandal, the brunt of which would have to be borne for the rest of their lives. But above all this was a gut-wrenching fear for her dignity due to which she was always edgy and did not have a moment of peace living in the all- male bandit gang. Every night, she secretly cried herself to sleep. One night, one of the Muslim members of the gang, saw her crying and inquired the reason. She remorsefully related her wretched tale. The Muslim boy had pity on her plight and promised to help her reach home safely. So he warned the others that she seemed to be a brave girl and was extremely sure of herself. Taking his cue, the others kept to themselves and never bothered her. For her own safety, they disguised her as a man. Hira noticed that in the entire group, the Muslim boy differed from the others – he never broke his word, gave shrewd advice and he always kept aside a part of his share for the poor. He made sure that Hira was given a separate place to sleep and would check on her many times during the night to ensure her safety. After a few days when he was convinced that Hira wouldn’t betray their hideout, he put his plan in to action – to help Hira escape. On a ruse of sending her on an errand, he secretly instructed her to go to the police station and file a report saying that she had escaped from the clutches of her kidnappers. Hira did as she was bid. On inquiry, the police got to know that a missing report had been filed in Budhana by her name. So Hira was taken there and was safely handed over to her family. Although she was taken in by them, her family was always suspicious and averse to keeping her there because of her rebellious ways. Hira tried to convince them that her dignity was safe but they refused to hear any part of it. One of her learned elders suggested that she undergo certain tests at the hospital to confirm what she claimed. Heeding the advice, she was immediately taken to the hospital and when the doctor assured them that she was still a virgin, they were greatly relieved. After this event, Hira was preoccupied with the Muslims and frequently mentioned a Muslim boy who had protected her in the jungle. She started visiting a few Muslim neighbors, in the course of which she was gifted a copy of “ Dozakh ka khatka aur Jannat ki kunji” by a girl. The sight of an Islamic book in their Hindu household ignited a raging fire in her uncle’s heart. He was enraged beyond measure and gave her a sound beating and threatened to kill her if it happened again. But Islam had made an unshakable abode in her heart and had illuminated the dark creases in it and nothing could sway her from it. She went to a Moulvi in a Madrasa and converted to Islam and secretly learnt to perform the Salah . She felt stifled and out of place in the dark ignorant household of idolaters, and forever had an overcast look on her formerly cheerful face. Exasperated, she hatched a plan with a Muslim gentleman and his wife and left for Phullat. She lived in Delhi at Maulana Kaleem’s sister’s place and here she flowered as never before. She formed a deep bond with her and called her Aunty Rani affectionately. She learnt a lot under her care where she stayed for a year and a half. Since she had been very close to her family, especially her mother, she remembered and missed them a lot. One night she dreamt that her mother had passed away. She became hysterical and was greatly disturbed by the fear that her mother would die a disbeliever. She pleaded to go home but Maulana Kaleem reasoned with her that if she returned, her family would kill her, and even worse, they would force her to give up Islam. It was this risk of losing her faith that kept her emotions at bay for some time. But unable to see her in such a miserable and homesick condition, he reluctantly gave in to her unyielding insistence under one condition – that she be steadfast in her faith and go home with the pure intention of inviting her family to the call of Islam, since, if she truly loved her family, it became her duty to worry about their eternal life and take pains to prevent them from becoming the fuel of hell. Hira told him that her family was incensed even by the name of Islam. Maulana Kaleem assured her by saying: “Once their hearts are enlightened with the glow of Iman, they would view their religion with the same contempt and derision in which they hold Islam today. After all, even you had the same idea of Islam before.” He encouraged her that if she went with this intention, she would be under Allah’s protection and even if she was made to suffer, it wouldn’t be in vain as it was a Sunnah of our beloved Prophet. He also presented to her the worst- case scenario that even if she was killed, she would die a martyr, whose rewards commence with death and he was certain that her martyrdom would become a means to her family’s guidance and that would be the best bargain she could hope for. He asked her to perform two Rak’ah to supplicate to Allah for her family’s guidance and to give her the strength to call them to Islam. Eventually, when she reached home, her family was furious and her uncle brutally bruised and beat her up. She refused to disclose her former location but fearlessly informed them that she had converted to Islam and this decision of hers was resolute and immovable. When they tried to persuade her to give up her new-found faith she retorted by calling them to Islam instead. Her mother being continuously unwell passed away after two months of suffering. She pleaded with her father to bury her mother in the Muslim graveyard instead of cremating her as she had converted to Islam before her death, but her plea fell on deaf ears. Subsequent to that, intense arguments broke out within the family as Hira was relentless in inviting her family to Islam and they were just as determined to resist it. Exhausted by her persistent efforts, her uncle sought advice from an extremist Hindu group who recommended killing her as the only choice. One day, her father and uncle decided to take her out on the ruse of seeing her aunt, but, as if she was already aware of her impending doom she bathed and dressed in new clothes and requested to perform her last salah. Though they set out on an unknown route she never questioned and eagerly went along with them. When they reached the banks of the river, she asked her father laughingly: “Are you taking me to my aunt’s place or my Beloved’s?” Even after this, her heartless father and tyrannical uncle had no mercy on her and it did not even appear t
Posted on: Sat, 13 Dec 2014 10:35:48 +0000
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