Players
Sami: A 19 year old Muslim college student
Mona: Sami’s Mother
Angel Ramadan: An angel
Mr. Lipton: Sami’s neighbor
Ibrahim: Sami’s classmate in college
Ali: a friend of Sami’s
Scene: Mt. Radcliffe college. Sami is studying in the library. Angel Ramadan is siting next to him at the table.
Part 3
Sami: (mumbling to himself while punching into the scientific calculator) All this math is going to kill me one of these days…(Just then a young man accompanied by a woman, deep in conversation walks past Sami and Angel Ramadan)
Sami: (shaking his head) Haram, haram… you would think Ibrahim would know better than to have a girlfriend, but I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. He cheated Ali out of 200 dollars. (Angel Ramadan remains silent)
Sami: I thought you’d have something to say about it. You are always getting on my case whenever I slip up.
Angel Ramadan: Math is a very important my brother. Make sure you study very hard. The prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) once said to do your best in everything that you do.
Sami: I’m working at it Bro Rama, but how about Ibrahim? Do you have nothing to say about him.
Angel Ramadan: My son, always remember to closely guard your tongue against eating the flesh of your brother. Also my brother, slang really degrades such a language. All these abbreviations in society is eating at the whole of things. Let us keep things whole; it is….
Sami: (interrupting) Eating his flesh! I’m not the one doing all the wrong he is. How can that be backbiting? He has girlfriends, he cheats people out of money, he doesn’t keep his word to anyone, and he doesn’t help anyone in the community. He is living haram. What I’m saying is true so that can’t be backbiting.
Angel Ramadan: If you do not tell this to brother Ibrahim himself, then you are backbiting against your brother even if what he is doing is wrong…make dua for him to be guided and if you wish advise him.
Sami: (laughing) Ibrahim is not the kind of guy who is going to listen to anyone.
Angel Ramadan: Always think the best of your brother. Even if you think badly about your brother in your heart but you never utter it, Allah knows every secret of the heart. I pray for you brother Sami to meet Allah with a pure heart.
Sami: (thoughtfully) So I can’t say what Ibrahim is doing is wrong?
Angel Ramadan: The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) once said that if you do not have anything good to say then don’t say it. (pausing) If I can make a suggestion, why don’t you advise your brother? (Just then Ibrahim returns and passes Sami studying at the table)
Ibrahim: (gel in hair and leather jacket) How’s it going bro?
Sami: Nothing much…the usual. My math teacher is trying to kill me indirectly by graphs….
Ibrahim: (laughing) You should have taken Angela Watson for math. She’s real easy on students. And she looks really good too (nudging Sami).
Sami: (frowning and with a raised voice) Haram Ibrahim, haram! (several people nearby turn to look at Sami and Ibrahim) Bro what’s up with you? I just saw you with your girlfriend and now you are talking about the teacher….(Angel Ramadan clears his throat, but Sami’s is too absorbed in giving nasiha to notice) Ibrahim, you know it is haram to date. There is no relations with females in Islam. (Ibrahim begins to look uncomfortable)
Ibrahim: (hurriedly and looking hurt) I’m late for class. I’ll see you later. (He walks away)
Sami: (sitting back in the chair) Well, I did what you said. Didn’t look like that worked. Like I said giving advice to Ibrahim is useless.
Angel Ramadan: It went wrong my brother when you began to give nasiha in public. Everyone was looking at you and Ibrahim.
Sami: (looking around) Hey, I didn’t know that.
Angel Ramadan: Yes, I noticed. You were too absorbed in giving advice to judge the situation and how to give the nasiha. Never give nasiha in public or when others are around. Nasiha should always be given in private. And when giving nasiha, do not act like you are sheikh al akbar. Be kind and respectful brother Sami, and more importantly be subtle. Sometimes you can give advice without the person knowing that you are giving them advice.
Sami: Why is that you are always on my case? There are other people much worse than me, but you always have me in focus.
Angel Ramadan: It is best to always focus on oneself and not others. Looking at other’s faults makes one feel better and superior. That is the station to stay away from. Arrogance is a great pollution of the heart.
Sami: So you are here not only to help me with Ramadan but also my heart? Don’t you think that is an impossible task?
Angel Ramadan: (smiling) Where the heart is concerned, nothing is impossible. Remember brother Sami, you are capable of the highest state and the lowest.
To be continued….
