Yasser and Zahra investigate what happened after Ashura

By Sun Behind The Cloud Publications

"Grandfather, what happened to the Ahlulbayt after Imam Husayn was killed?" Yasser asked. "What happened to his children, to Lady Zainab, to Imam Sajjad...?" 

Zahra was not sure she wanted to know what had happened next. Grandfather's face told her that it would be even sadder than what they had already witnessed last year. Yasse

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sun Behind The Cloud Publications Ltd
• Release date: Sep 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9781908110800

Book preview

Oppression Everywhere

Chapter 1

Yasser and Zahra sat huddled at the top of the stairs. It was the third night in a row that their mother had tucked them into bed with tears in her eyes. Something had definitely happened; there was a marked change in the atmosphere in their house. Even Grandfather, who was usually never without a smile, looked as though he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. Worry lines creased his forehead.

The children had crept out of bed, hoping to overhear something that would help them to understand why the adults around them were acting so strangely. Although Grandfather did not watch television regularly, over the past days and weeks he had been glued to the screen late into the night, watching intently. Yasser now strained his ears to hear snippets of what had caught Grandfather’s attention.

TONIGHT’S AIR RAID HIT A HOSPITAL AND SCHOOL...KILLING DOZENS AND INJURING HUNDREDS... AMONG THE WORST AFFECTED ARE WOMEN AND CHILDREN...

The newscaster’s voice floated up clearly to them, but what she was saying seemed unreal.

Yasser stifled a gasp. Had he heard correctly? He looked to Zahra for confirmation and saw that her expression was equally horrified.

Did you hear that? she exclaimed, forgetting to keep her voice lowered. "What does she mean by tonight’s air raids? Were there bombs yesterday as well? What’s going on?"

SHHHH, said Yasser, almost louder than Zahra, but it was too late. They could already hear Grandfather coming out of the room to investigate. Moments later he found them looking very confused, afraid and wide awake.

His aggrieved expression softened, and he held out his hands to them. Yasser and Zahra each took an outstretched palm and allowed Grandfather to lead them silently to the prayer room. But the moment he sat down on his old rocking chair, they began firing frantic questions at him, desperate to understand what was going on.

Grandfather let them ask their questions and then raised his hand so they would let him speak. Oppression and injustice have filled the land, my dears, he said, sighing heavily. In Kashmir, children like you cannot go to school safely; in Palestine, people live in fear in their own homes and even places of worship are under attack; in Myanmar, Muslims are being targeted because of their faith and all of this was only in today’s news. The list goes on and on… But Grandfather couldn’t go on. He seemed to be choking on his words and needed a minute to catch his breath.

In the silence that followed, Yasser and Zahra tried to grasp the seriousness of the situation. But why is this all happening suddenly? Yasser asked. What’s changed in the world?

Grandfather looked down and shielded his eyes with his hand before letting out a deep sigh of disappointment. This is not new, he said, shaking his head sadly. Since the beginning of time, those in power have often oppressed the people they rule over…

What’s oppression? Zahra interrupted.

It’s when people are cruel and unkind to others.

So it’s like the opposite of justice? Yasser offered.

Yes, Yasser, Grandfather replied. There are many forms of oppression, but mainly it means taking advantage of others and mistreating the people you are meant to be taking care of. Oppressors are bullies, and in the Qur’an, Allah says He does not love the oppressors.

You don’t have to be Muslim to know that bullying and oppression is wrong, Zahra concluded. You just need to be a human being.

The three of them sat in silence for a few moments as the simple truth of Zahra’s statement echoed in the room. Flashes of the images from the news played in Grandfather’s mind and when he looked at Yasser and Zahra, all he could recall were the nameless faces of so many children affected by war. They too must be wondering the same things, he thought to himself. Why can’t adults recognise truth as easily as these beautiful children? Grandfather closed his eyes for a few seconds and uttered a dhikr of gratitude for the safety in which his grandchildren were able to grow. When he opened his eyes, they focused on the large clock hanging on the prayer room wall and he quickly rose from his chair.

It’s very late, children. You must get to sleep now, he said, gently taking their hands again. Tomorrow is Sunday, and you have to get to Islamic School on time.

Yasser and Zahra went back to their rooms without protest and slipped into their beds. Zahra pulled her warm duvet up to her chin. She thought of all those children who were sleeping that night on a hard floor – or worse, under the open sky – with nothing to keep them warm. She closed her eyes tight and whispered a prayer for them. O Allah, please protect all the children. You are the Best of Protectors, You help anyone who asks You. Please help them to overcome their bullies. Please… Her eyes became heavy as she repeated these words and she fell asleep pleading to Allah (SWT).

In his room, Yasser couldn’t get comfortable enough to sleep. Finally, he crept out of bed in search of an atlas. At last he found a map of the world tucked inside the encyclopaedia he had got for his last birthday. He climbed back into bed, opened it and spread the map out on his lap, scanning the world for the countries Grandfather mentioned. As he placed a finger on each one, he tried to visualise it as a real place and not just a drawing on paper. There were people living within each of those outlined shapes, people going through so much pain right at that time. It was hard to imagine but impossible not to think about as well.

He continued tossing and turning late into the night, trying to think of a solution to provide some relief for those who were suffering. What could he do?

Chapter 2

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

Yasser whacked the snooze button on his alarm clock for the sixth time that morning. He hadn’t been able to sleep for hours last night, and he was paying the price now. His eyes felt like they were glued shut and he was struggling to open them.

Yasser! Zahra cried bursting into his room. She was still in her pyjamas, toothpaste foaming from her mouth. We’re going to be late! Her tone was frantic even though her voice was muffled by the toothbrush in her mouth. What will Mrs Muntazir say?

Yasser let out a groan as he dragged himself out of bed. The threat of being told off by Mrs Muntazir was enough motivation to get him moving.

Fifteen minutes later they were packed into their white minivan urging their mother to drive just a little bit faster. As they approached the gates to the school building, Yasser shoved the last bit of his toast into his mouth and quickly checked that he had everything he needed for the day. He was out of the car almost as soon as it stopped. With Zahra hot on his heels, they ran towards the main entrance. As they each grabbed one side of the double door and pulled it open, a familiar floated down the hall.

Students of the Awaited One Academy….

Oh no! It’s already started! exclaimed Zahra.

"Let’s try