The Complete Short Stories

by Premchand

  Khadija replied, ‘If we leave this place, then we’ll have no refuge. At least they can come to you now and share their plight. When in misfortune, one needs a shoulder to cry on.’

  ‘I don’t want to leave alone. I intend to take all my friends with me. We are scattered here. It is difficult to reach out to one another for help. If all of us live in one place like a close-knit family, no one will dare attack us. Our collective strength will turn us into a sand hill over which no one will dare to climb.’

  Suddenly, Zainab entered. There was no one with her. She was panting for breath. Khadija hugged her and asked, ‘What is it, Zainab? Are you all right?’

  Zainab told her about her inner struggle and expressed the desire to be initiated into the new religion by her father.

  The Prophet’s eyes brimmed over as he said, ‘Daughter, nothing would bring me greater happiness. But I know very well that you’ll be in trouble.’

  Zainab replied, ‘Most esteemed sir! I’ve decided to give up everything for God. I do not want to risk my salvation for worldly happiness.’

  ‘Zainab. You’ll face many difficulties in the path of God.’

  ‘Abba jaan, when one’s heart is suffused with devotion one doesn’t mind difficulties.’

  ‘Your relationship with your husband’s family will be ruptured.’

  ‘My relationship with God will compensate for it.’

  ‘How about Abul Aas?’

  Zainab’s eyes became moist. She said feebly, ‘Abba jaan, it is his thought that kept me away from you all these days. If it were not so, I would’ve adopted the new faith long ago. I know I can’t live without him. He would also find it difficult to bear my separation. But I have this firm belief that some day he’ll accept the new religion and then I’ll have the opportunity to be of service to him.’

  ‘Abul Aas is honest, kind and a good orator. But his pride might keep him away from God. He doesn’t believe in destiny. He doesn’t have faith in the soul, in heaven and hell. He says there’s no need for God. Why should we fear Him? Our conscience and intellect are sufficient to guide us. Such an individual cannot have faith in God. It is easy to challenge non-belief, but when it takes the shape of philosophy no one can change it.’

  Zainab said firmly, ‘Esteemed sir, I want that which uplifts my soul. I won’t allow any human being to come between me and God.’

  The Prophet blessed her. ‘May God be kind to you. You’ve made me so happy.’

  He took Zainab in his arms.

  3

  On the following day Zainab was made to read the kalma, the profession of faith, in the mosque and initiated into the new faith.

  When the people of the Quraish tribe came to know of this, they were furious. What a calamity! Islam is beginning to poach people from established families! If it continues unchallenged, it will slowly grow in strength and it’ll be difficult for us to stop it.

  A huge gathering took place in the house of Abul Aas. Abu Sufiyan, the foremost enemy of Islam, said to Abul Aas, ‘You must divorce your wife.’

  Abul Aas said, ‘Certainly not.’

  Abu Sufiyan asked him, ‘Are you thinking of becoming a Mussulman yourself?’

  ‘Certainly not.’

  ‘Then she must live in Muhammad’s house.’

  ‘No. I seek your permission to bring her home.’

  ‘Surely not.’

  ‘Can’t my community show me this much understanding? If it can’t, then you can make me an outcast. I’ll happily undergo any other punishment that you may decide to give me. But I can’t leave my wife. I don’t want to rob anyone of their religious freedom, least of all my wife.’

  ‘Are there no other girls in the Quraish tribe?’

  ‘There’s no one like Zainab.’

  ‘We can tell you of girls whose beauty will put even the moon to shame.’

  ‘I’m not a worshipper of beauty.’

  ‘We can provide you girls who are adept at housekeeping, who have a sweet tongue, who cook food that tastes good even to the sick, who are so skilled at stitching and darning that they can transform an old rag into a new fabric.’

  ‘I do not care for any of these. I’m simply a worshipper of love. And I’m sure no one in the world can love me as deeply as Zainab does.’

  ‘If she loved you so deeply, would she have betrayed you in this way?’

  ‘I don’t want her to give up her individualism because of me.’

  ‘This means you want to stay like an antisocial within the community. By God, the community will not allow you to do it. I can say for sure that you’ll regret your decision.’

  4

  When Abu Sufiyan and his team left after administering the threat, Abul Aas picked up his stick and reached Muhammad’s house. It was evening. The Prophet was saying the evening prayers with his disciples. Abul Aas greeted him and watched them closely as long as the prayer was on. He felt a wave of respect welling in his heart when he saw them bending together, sitting and prostrating in the course of the prayer. Unconsciously, he began to do the same movements as the congregation did. The atmosphere was infused with God’s spirit, so much so that it swept Abul Aas away for a moment.

  When the prayer was over and the congregation dispersed, Abul Aas went over to the Prophet and said, ‘I’ve come to take Zainab with me.’

  The Prophet was surprised. ‘Do you know that she has embraced Islam?’

  ‘Yes, sir, I know.’

  ‘Do you also know that Islam forbids such relationships?’

  ‘Does it mean that Zainab has divorced me?’

  ‘If indeed she has, then?’

  ‘Nothing. Good luck to her with her new-found devotion for God and His Prophet. I’d like to see her once, then return home, and never see her face again. But don’t blame me if the Quraish tribe wants to pick a fight with you for this.’

  ‘I do not want to have a fight with the Quraish.’

  ‘In that case, allow Zainab to come with me. Then I’ll be the target of the tribe. No calamity will befall you or your disciples.’

  ‘Will you try to turn Zainab away from God?’

  ‘I consider it inhuman to violate anyone’s religious freedom.’

  ‘People will put pressure on you to divorce Zainab.’

  ‘I’ll part with my life before parting with Zainab.’

  Abul Aas’s words reassured the Prophet. He held Abul Aas in high esteem. He allowed Abul Aas to meet Zainab in the women’s part of the house.

  Abul Aas said to Zainab, ‘I’ve come to take you home. I hope embracing the new religion has not turned you against me?’

  Zainab fell at his feet, crying, and said, ‘No, my lord. Our hearts are bound together. I am yours, no matter where I am. But will the community allow us to stay together?’

  ‘If the community does not allow us to live together, then I’ll leave it. There are many places in the world where we can live in peace. You know very well I’m a champion of religious freedom. I’ll never interfere with the matters of your religion.’

  As Zainab was leaving, Khadija gave her a necklace of precious pearls as a gift.

  5

  The non-Muslims increased their torment of the Muslims. Earlier, the Muslims were simply ignored, but now they were threatened. The enemies conspired to wipe them out. Help was sought from tribes living afar. The Muslims did not have the power to face the enemies in armed combat. Hazrat Muhammad decided to leave Mecca and go elsewhere. In Mecca, the Muslims were scattered in different parts of the city. They couldn’t provide help to each other in times of crisis. Muhammad wanted to settle in a place where all of them could live together and face the combined forces of the enemies collectively. Eventually he settled for Madina and sent word to all his followers. The devotees got together and one day they migrated from Mecca to Madina. This is what is known as ‘hijrat’.

  The Muslims found new energy and a new spirit when they reached Madina. They began to observe their religious rituals fearlessly. There was no ne
ed now to hide themselves from their neighbours.

  They gained greater self-confidence. The non-Muslims mobilized themselves against them. Both sides began to assemble their own armies. The non-Muslim Arabs resolved to wipe out the name of Islam from the face of the earth. The Muslims, too, resolved to give them a fitting reply.

  One day, Abul Aas came and told his wife, ‘Zainab, our leaders have declared war on Islam.’

  Scared, Zainab said, ‘These people have already left Mecca. What is the need for war now?’

  ‘They may have left Mecca, but they haven’t left Arabia! Their audacity is increasing. There was no other option except declaring jihad on them. It’ll be necessary for me to take part in the jihad.’

  ‘If you feel so strongly about it, then you must go. I’ll also accompany you.’

  ‘Accompany me?’

  ‘Yes, I’ll look after the injured Muslims there.’

  ‘Of course.’

  6

  A fierce battle took place. Both sides fought valorously. Brothers fought with brothers, and fathers fought with sons. It was proved that the bond of faith was stronger than the bonds of blood and lineage.

  Both sides fought with courage. The difference was—the minds of the Muslims were filled with religious fervour; they expected heaven after their death. They had the firmness of belief, as is usually found among new converts. This spirit of ‘sacrifice’ was missing among non-Muslims.

  The battle went on for several days. Although the Muslims were lesser in number, their religious fervour triumphed in the end. A large number of non-Muslims were killed, many were injured, and many more were taken prisoners. Abul Aas was one of them.

  The moment Zainab heard that Abul Aas had been taken prisoner, she immediately sent ransom money to Prophet Mohammed. It was the same precious necklace given to her by Khadija. Zainab didn’t want to place her father in a tricky situation, which would have risen if no ransom money was available. He couldn’t have released Abul Aas even if he wanted to.

  All the prisoners were presented before the Prophet. Many had accepted the new religion, while others were released when they paid the ransom money. The Prophet looked at Abul Aas, who was standing aloof with his head hung. He looked deeply embarrassed.

  The Prophet said, ‘Abul Aas, Islam wouldn’t have triumphed if God had not come to its support.’

  Abul Aas replied, ‘If, as you put it, there’s one God in the world, then he can’t allow one of his people to kill another fellow being. The Muslims won because of their martial spirit.’

  One of the companions of the Prophet asked, ‘Where is your ransom money?’

  The Prophet remarked, ‘Abul Aas’s necklace is undoubtedly priceless. What is your decision? You very well know that he is my son-in-law.’

  Abu Bakr said, ‘You have Zainab with you, for whom even a thousand necklaces can be sacrificed.’

  Abul Aas asked, ‘So are you implying that Zainab should be my ransom money?’

  Zayed replied, ‘This is exactly what I mean.’

  Abul Aas said, ‘It would’ve been far better if you had killed me.’

  Abu Bakr said, ‘We won’t kill the Prophet’s son-in-law even if he is a non-Muslim. We’ll extend to you all the courtesies we can.’

  Abul Aas was faced with a terrible dilemma. It was an insult for him to accept the hospitality of the victors; he was also suffering intensely from Zainab’s separation. He decided to undergo the suffering, but not to submit to the insult. I shall sacrifice my love and my soul for my pride.

  He said, ‘I accept your decision. Zainab will be my ransom.’

  7

  At Madina, the Prophet’s daughter was given as much respect as was due to her. There was prosperity, happiness and great enthusiasm for the new religion, but there was no love. She pined away for Abul Aas.

  Three years passed as though they were three centuries. She couldn’t set her eyes on Abul Aas.

  The society put pressure on Abul Aas to marry again, but the sweet memories associated with Zainab were enough to provide him solace. He plunged himself into his trade with renewed vigour and didn’t return to his home for months. Earning wealth had now become the chief objective of his life. People were surprised to see him risking his life for wealth. People drowned their despair and worry in wine just as they become crazy when they are in love. Abul Aas had now become crazy about wealth. Behind this lust for wealth was his despair in love. Chasing money was a disguise for his renunciation of love.

  Once he was taking a caravan laden with goods from Mecca to Iraq. There were many other traders in the caravan. There was a security cordon as well. Several Muslim caravans had already been raided by non-Muslims. When they got to know of this caravan, Zayed got together a couple of men and raided the caravan. The security guards fought them and died. The people travelling in the caravan fled away. Immense wealth came into the hands of Muslims. Abul Aas was taken prisoner again.

  On the following day, he was presented before the Prophet. The Prophet gave him a piteous look. The Prophet’s companions asked, ‘Hazrat, what have you decided about Abul Aas?’

  The Prophet replied, ‘I leave it to you to decide about him. He is my son-in-law. It is quite possible that I may not be able to act impartially.’

  He went inside the house. Zainab fell at his feet and said, ‘Abba jaan, you’ve released the others. Is Abul Aas a worse offender than them?’

  The Prophet replied, ‘No, Zainab, anyone who sits on the seat of justice must be free of partiality and prejudice. Even though I am the one who put this procedure in place, I’m not its master but its slave. I love Abul Aas. However, I can’t have my sense of justice tainted by my love.’

  All the companions of the Prophet were deeply moved by his sense of justice. Abul Aas was released with all his goods.

  The way the Prophet dealt with the case and his sense of justice left a great impact on Abul Aas. On his return to Mecca, he settled his accounts, paid his creditors and returned people’s goods. Then he left everything and went to the Prophet seeking his refuge. Zainab’s long-cherished desire was fulfilled.

  Translated from the Hindi by M. Asaduddin

  Sudden Downfall

  1

  The streets of Delhi were being drenched in the blood of its citizens. Nadir Shah’s army was wreaking havoc in the city. Whoever they found was executed by the sword. Nadir Shah’s fiery anger wasn’t being extinguished at all. The rain of blood couldn’t quench the fire of his wrath.

  Nadir Shah was seated on the throne in the open court. Flames were flying from his eyes. How dare the people of Delhi insult his soldiers! The cowards have some nerve! These barbarians were routed at his army’s first battle cry. Hearing the crying and wailing of the residents of the city even the heart of the army was on the verge of trembling. But Nadir Shah’s wrath was not diminished and even his commander-in-chief couldn’t muster the courage to come before him. Truly courageous people are merciful. They don’t vent their anger on the helpless, on women, or the weak. They consider it beneath their dignity to wreak vengeance on them. But Nadir Shah’s anger knew no mercy.

  The emperor of Delhi was seated next to Nadir Shah with his head bowed low. The king, who was used to a life of luxury and leisure with his harem, was listening to Nadir Shah’s insulting speech. But he didn’t have the courage to open his mouth. If he feared so much for his own life, who was there to worry about his people? He was thinking, Best not to say anything . . . what if he turns on me?

  Finally, when the army’s obsessive cruelty reached its peak, Mohammed Shah’s vizier couldn’t bear it any longer. He was very eloquent. He was a poet, careless about his own life. He came before Nadir Shah and recited this couplet in Persian:

  Your glance’s sword has severed every head

  For more, you’ll have to resurrect the dead.

  The couplet struck Nadir Shah’s heart. There are holes even in rocks, greenery on mountains, softness in the stone-hearted. This couplet melted stone.
Nadir Shah called his commander-in-chief and ordered him to stop the massacre. Suddenly, the swords were sheathed. The raised hands of the killers were frozen. Every soldier became a statue wherever he was. Evening fell. Nadir Shah was found strolling in the garden, chanting the couplet again and again, as if in a trance.

  Your glance’s sword has severed every head

  For more, you’ll have to resurrect the dead.

  2

  The treasury of Delhi was being ransacked. There was a guard at the royal palace. No one could enter or exit the palace. Even the royal ladies were afraid to step out of their palaces into the gardens. Nadir Shah’s men were not content with simply plundering the treasury. Gold and silver utensils, priceless pictures, and other decorative goods were being taken away. Nadir Shah, sitting on his throne, was looking closely at the piles of diamonds and jewels, but the object his heart had longed for for the longest time was not to be seen. He had heard praises and legends of the powers of a diamond called the Mughal-e-Azam. Whoever possessed this diamond was supposedly blessed with a long life—no disease could touch him. It even apparently had the power to grant offspring. One of his motives for attacking Delhi was to get hold of this diamond. Even though his eyes were dazzled by the piles of gold and silver and the precious jewels, his heart was not happy. He was obsessed with the Mughal-e-Azam, and the Mughal-e-Azam was nowhere to be found. Mad with anger, he looked at the royal viziers and yelled at the officers, but he couldn’t really articulate why he was so furious. No one understood why he was so restless. This was an opportunity to swell with happiness. Immense wealth was lying before him. No one could really count how much. Any emperor in the world would consider himself fortunate if he had a mere portion of this wealth. But this man, who had never laid eyes on even a hundredth of this treasure before, whose life had been spent grazing sheep, couldn’t care less. Finally, when night fell, and the emperor’s treasury was emptied, and still the diamond was not found, Nadir Shah’s anger flared up again. He summoned the vizier whose eloquence had saved so many lives and said, ‘You have seen my wrath. If you don’t want to see it again, you must be straightforward with me. If my anger flares up again, Delhi will be destroyed.’