There is a cobbler who sits on the ground near the masjid I go to, but is ignored just like other things placed on the ground. Usually he smilingly initiates so quickly in saying salam that I am the one who has to reply, my expressions depending upon my mood. But he immediately moves back his hand (that was unintentionally raised due to excitement) after realizing that some people might not like to shake hands with his that were holding shoes few moments ago.
Today was a different sight. As I said salam to him, he didn’t even hear me because he was too busy eating with a bowed head and reciting something as he ate. When I moved ahead, I felt that may be he has called me back. But when I turned back I realized that he didn’t call me but nature is using him to stop me and teach how I should ‘thank’ before I enter the house of the ONE I came to meet.
He was holding a bunch of grapes that was almost rotten like the skin of his hand. Such rotten grapes I usually throw in the garbage just like I disregard people like him. But unlike me, he was eating it very slowly with interest and while humbly eating he repeatedly raised his hand and looked to the sky with thankfulness dripping from his eyes. For a moment I felt that Allah (swt) has smiled back to him. Then my mind started to picture myself pointing faults in meals and unthankfully wasting a lot of it as if I have created it myself. He keeps his eyes low and head bowed in front of even a human who feeds him ‘a bit’, but mine are raised in disobedience of Allah (swt) who gives me more than I can eat… I had to immediately reject the flow of thoughts coming to my mind in order to prevent my tears from falling. From there onwards it became really difficult for me to take every single step after he placed a mountain of questions on my shoulders.
Even though I was going to the right place, he was siting at the wrong place teaching me the right way to pray before I step into the mosque..