The Journey of Redemption

A New Beginning

Arman was known in his college as a troublemaker. He was known for missing classes, getting into fights, and not treating teachers with respect. His parents were frequently summoned to the principal's office, but he did not appear to respond differently to any sort of reprimand or punishment. One day, during a heated argument with a teacher, Arman stormed out of class. As he walked aimlessly through the streets, he saw an old man sitting by the mosque, feeding birds. The man had a peaceful aura, something Arman had never seen before.

Curious, he approached the man and asked, “Why do you sit here every day?”

The old man smiled and replied, “I find peace here. Have you ever looked for peace, son?”

Arman grumbled. “Peace? My life is full of chaos. There’s no such thing as peace.”

After paying him some attention, the elderly man said, "Come pray with me." Maybe you’ll understand.”

A Moment of Reflection

Arman was hesitant. He hadn’t prayed in years. However, something about the man's composed demeanor prompted him to enter the mosque. As he stood in prayer, following the imam’s words, a strange feeling washed over him—something he had never felt before. It was a mix of guilt, regret, and longing.

After the prayer, the old man placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Allah never turns away His servants, no matter how lost they are. The doors of mercy are always open.”

Despite not responding, those words lingered in Arman's mind for days. The Fight for Change Arman sat quietly in class the following day. His friends were surprised—he wasn’t making trouble or picking fights. But it wasn't easy to change. He continued to struggle with anger and yearned to return to his old ways. One evening, as he was about to skip class to hang out with his old friends, he saw the old man again, sitting in the same spot.

The man smiled and said, "You're back." “I don’t know why, but I can’t get your words out of my head,” Arman admitted.

The old man nodded. "The best struggles are those we fight within ourselves," as the saying goes. "Change is hard." That night, Arman opened the Quran for the first time in years. He read about forgiveness, about how even the worst sinners could find redemption if they truly repented. Tears filled his eyes. He prayed softly, seeking direction. A Test of Faith

When his old friends started to notice the change in him, he faced the real challenge. “You’re acting weird, man. Are you becoming one of those religious guys?” one of them mocked.

Arman felt the familiar rage build up inside him, but he took a deep breath. He spoke calmly, "I just want something better for myself." His friends laughed, but for the first time, it didn't matter what they thought. He realized that true strength wasn’t about fighting others—it was about fighting his own demons.

The Final Transformation

Days turned into weeks, and Arman’s transformation became evident. He started focusing on his studies, treating his teachers with respect, and even helping his classmates. Some people still doubted his change, but deep down, he knew he was on the right path.

One evening, he returned to the mosque and found the old man waiting for him.

“I see peace in your eyes now,” the man said with a knowing smile.

Arman smiled back. “I think I finally found it.”

From that day on, Arman made it his mission to help others who were lost, just like he once was. Because he had learned one of the greatest lessons of life—no matter how lost you are, the doors of redemption are always open.