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

away her tears.
    'And if you see Javeria again or talk to her, I'll put an end to your going to college.'
    'Baba, Javeria did not say anything to me. She does not even know any of this.' Imama protested in a more firm tone.
    'Then who is it that has filled your head with this garbage?' he thundered.
    'I did so...myself...' Imama tried to explain.
    'Who do you think you are? Look at your age and you dare to question your faith and the veracity of your prophet!' His temper flared again. 'Look at me.
    I have spent all my life preaching his religion—am I blind to have done this or are you wiser? You hardly know anything and here you are questioning our faith.' Hashim Mubeen rose from his place. 'You were born with a silver spoon in your mouth because of this prophet whose infallibility you are questioning today. If it were not for him our family would have been out on the streets today; yet you are ungrateful and are denying the very source of your prosperity.'
    Hashim Mubeen's voice grew hoarse and Imama's tears flowed faster.
    'No more education for you! All this learning is leading you astray!'
    His words left Imama speechless, stunned. Even in her wildest dreams she had not expected to be denied education.
    'Baba, I am sorry!' she pleaded. Her father had brought her to her knees.
    'I do not need your apologies or excuses. I've made myself clear—you will stay home from now.'
    'Baba, this is not...what I meant. I...I don't know what Waseem has told you.
    I'm telling you that in future I will not read anything you don't want me to. I will not say anything you disprove of. Baba, please!' She was crying, begging with her father.
    Her entreaties and pleas continued as she kept apologizing to her father for the next few days. Eventually, by the end of the week, he softened his stance and relented: Imama was allowed to go back to college. But for all those days, she was at the receiving end of taunts and barbs from everyone in the family.
    So, though Hashim Mubeen, with very strict warnings, had allowed her to return to college, the attitude of her family further distanced her from her faith. She did not stop reading the books that had provoked her thought: the only difference was that instead of bringing them home she read them in the college library.
    After making it to the merit list in the F.Sc. examinations, Imama got admission into medical college. Javeria also got admission into the same institution and now their bonds of friendship were stronger than before—the main reason for that was the change that had come in Imama.

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    Imama's first meeting with Sabiha was purely by chance. One of Javeria's classmates was Sabiha's cousin, and it was through her that Imama came to know her. Sabiha was associated with the student wing of a religious organization and delivered a weekly lecture in class on any one aspect of Islam. These lectures were attended by about forty to fifty girls.
    When Imama and her friends were first introduced to Sabiha, she had invited them all to the lecture.
    'I'll definitely come—you can be assured of my attendance,' responded Javeria.
    'I'll try, but I can't promise,' said Rabia, with a sheepish smile.
    'I won't be able to make it. I'll be busy that day.' Zainab excused herself.
    With a smile, Sabiha turned to Imama, who had been listening quietly. 'And what about you? Will you come?' she asked her. Flustered, Imama exchanged a glance with Javeria who was looking at her.
    'By the way, what is your topic this time?' asked Javeria—maybe to turn Sabiha's attention away from Imama.
    'This time we'll talk about squandering money. This trend is pushing our society into decline—we'll talk about what measures should be taken to control it,' Sabiha explained.
    'Imama, you didn't tell me if you'll come to the lecture.' Sabiha turned to her again. Imama paled. 'Ill let you know,' she stammered.
    'I'll be very happy if the three of you come to the lecture with Javeria. We can't do it