Free Pir-E-Kamil: The Perfect Mentor by Umera Ahmed

school for many years, but their families knew each other very well. Amongst all her friends, Imama was closest to Tehreem and Javeria, but she was upset that, despite their friendship, these girls shrank from visiting her home. Imama would invite them to her birthday and also to other events at home, but they would always decline on the pretext of not being allowed to go out. On a few occasions Imama herself spoke to their parents, but they still did not allow their daughters to visit her. Finally, she complained to her parents about this.
    'Both your friends are Syeds. Generally, they do not approve of our sect and this is why your friends' parents do not allow them to come to our house,' explained her mother.
    'What's the meaning of this? Why don't they approve of us?' Imama was surprised at her mother's words.
    'Only they can tell you why they don't like us. They even call us non-Muslims.'
    'Why do they say that? Are we not Muslims?' retorted Imama. 'Of course we are Muslims...but they do not believe in our prophet,' said her mother. 'Why?'
    'Now what can I say to this "why"? They're just very rigid in their beliefs.' 'But Ammi, they never talk to me about religion, so how come religion becomes the problem? What difference does it make and how does it involve visiting each other's homes?' Imama was confused.
    'Who can explain these matters to them? They accuse us of lying and harass us. If they knew more about us and the teachings of our prophet, they wouldn't do this. Anyway, if your friends don't visit you, there's no need to fret—you shouldn't go to their homes either.'
    'But Ammi, their mistaken notions about us should be corrected,' said Imama.
    'You can't do this—their parents are constantly brainwashing them against us, filling their hearts with poison.'
    'No, Ammi! They are my best friends—they shouldn't think this of me. I'll give them some of our books to read...maybe then their minds and hearts will be cleared of these misunderstandings.' said Imama with hope. Her mother fell silent. 'Don't you like my idea?' asked Imama.
    'It's not that... give them your books but not in such a way that they think you're trying to preach your faith. Just tell them that you'd like them to know more about us so as to be able to understand us better,' said her mother. Imama nodded quietly.

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    A few days later, Imama took some books with her to school. When they were together during recess, she brought the books along.
    'I have something for you.'
    'Really? Let's see what it is.'
    Imama held out two sets of books from the bag, one towards Javeria and the other towards Tehreem. They quietly glanced at the books. Javeria said nothing, but Tehreem reacted.
    'What's this?' she said coldly.
    'I brought these books for you,' Imama replied.
    'Why?'
    'So that some of your wrong impressions about us can be corrected.'
    'What sort of wrong impressions?'
    'The wrong impressions you have about our sect,' Imama explained.
    'Who told you that there are any wrong impressions about your "religion" or your prophet?' Tehreem asked very seriously.
    'I can judge that myself: that is why you do not come to my house. You think perhaps that we do not read the Quran or that we do not consider Hazrat Muhammad, peace be upon him, a prophet although that's not the case—we believe in all of these things. It's only that we say that after the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), we have another prophet of our community who is as revered as Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).' Imama explained with great seriousness.
    Tehreem handed back the books she was holding. 'We have no misunderstanding about you or your religion. We know more than enough about your religion, and there's no need for you to give explanations,' she said brusquely. 'And as far as these books are concerned, neither I nor Javeria have spare time to waste on this pile of foolish claims, fanciful ideas, and misguided beliefs that you call your books.'
    Tehreem snatched the books from