“Friendship or Kindness”

The Court of Satan

They were all five standing with their heads bowed. Satan’s disciples had captured them and brought them before the court of Satan. All five were confused, wondering what crime had led them to this dark place. The courtroom was silent, except for the occasional sinister laugh echoing from behind a black curtain.

Finally, a voice rang out: “State the crime of Criminal Number One.”

A disciple replied, “Master! He committed the crime of serving his parents day and night. He took care of them in every possible way, supporting them in their old age.”

A devilish laugh filled the hall, followed by silence.

“What of Criminal Number Two?” the voice demanded.

“This criminal’s heart is full of love and compassion,” the disciple explained. “He took responsibility for his late brother’s children and his widowed sister-in-law. He loved these children as if they were his own, ensuring they received the best education and guidance. Eventually, the children grew independent. This is his crime.”

Once again, a sinister laugh echoed.

“And Criminal Number Three?”

The third stood helplessly. “Master! He rebelled against his family to educate his sister. He brought her from the village to the city, gave her higher education, cared for her with great love, and married her into a respectable family. This is his crime.”

“And Criminal Number Four?”

“This criminal developed a deep passion for serving humanity. He established a training center where people could learn skills to start their businesses. Through this, he helped countless individuals become responsible members of society. This is his crime.”

The voice laughed harshly. “Enough! These so-called criminals are multiplying, making our work more difficult.”

“Master! The fifth criminal remains,” a disciple said.

“Enough! I cannot hear more of their so-called good deeds. Take them all, punish them, and lock them away, so that the obsession with goodness leaves their minds!”

The five cried in unison, “No! We have committed no crimes. Do not punish us!”

Suddenly, Saboor woke from his sleep, trembling and anxious. “My God! What a strange dream!”

He got out of bed and went toward his grandfather’s room. His grandfather had gone outside for fresh air after Fajr prayers. Saboor lay down on his grandfather’s bed and waited patiently.

When his grandfather returned, he asked, “Saboor, my child, why are you up so early? Is something troubling you?”

“Grandfather, please sit first, and I will tell you,” Saboor replied.

Once his grandfather sat, Saboor narrated the dream in detail.

After listening, his grandfather smiled gently. “Saboor, there is nothing to fear. No matter how difficult times become, one must always stand for truth and righteousness.”

“But Grandfather, what do you mean?” Saboor asked.

“In Satan’s eyes, every righteous person is his enemy. We must never step back from our duties. Even I, in his eyes, am a criminal.”

“How so?” Saboor asked.

“Look, you already know the stories of four of the five criminals from your dream. Now I will tell you about the fifth. When Pakistan was formed, many people migrated. Travel at that time was extremely dangerous. The enemy was ruthless. Some families reached refugee camps, having lost parents, children, or other relatives.

“In one camp, there were two orphaned children, a boy and a girl. Your grandmother and I embraced them, raising them as our own. At first, life was extremely hard, but I started a small business, and God blessed it. Eventually, prosperity came. When the children grew up, we married them into respectable families.”

Saboor listened attentively. “Where are those children now?” he asked.

“One of them is Dr. Masroor, your father. The other is your aunt, a professor at a girls’ college,” his grandfather replied.

Saboor’s eyes widened in surprise. “Grandfather, if I had not seen this dream, I would never have realized your greatness.”

His grandfather smiled warmly. “Saboor, you may even consider yourself the fifth criminal from your dream.”

Saboor rested his head on his grandfather’s chest, feeling the warmth, love, and peace that only a grandparent’s embrace can bring. For a long time, he sat there quietly, understanding the lesson of his dream: that doing good, helping others, and standing for what is right may seem like a crime in the eyes of evil, but in truth, it is the greatest virtue of all.

He realized that life is a test, and those who remain humble, compassionate, and righteous will always be protected by God’s mercy. Even when evil seems to have the upper hand, goodness never truly fails. Saboor understood that one must continue to act with honesty, kindness, and courage, regardless of how the world or even the forces of evil perceive it. This understanding brought him a deep sense of peace and purpose, one he would carry with him for the rest of his life.