Slave of his Past

Alif Sheikh was a heartless , cruel slave trader. He traveled through the length and breadth of the deserts capturing and buying helpless humans and selling them as slaves.

He would huddle them like cattle, sear their flesh and brand them with hot iron. If they tried escaping the mark on their skin meant even more cruel treatment if recaptured alive.

He amassed a lot of wealth by his unholy trade of humans. Until one day he went home to find his otherwise happy and cheerful daughter and wife sitting mournful, with pale faces as if they have seen death. There was no food on the table. His mansion smelled of the stench of rotten flesh. Flies buzzed around the zombie like bodies of his wife and daughter.

He took his sword and left the house with the intent of never returning back. He walked deep into the desert; tired he collapsed on the sand. He understood his past evil deeds have hit him back with a vengeance.

He felt a heavy cloud of remorse hitting him, he looked towards the sky and murmured to God that he knows he is a big sinner and he does not deserve mercy so we wont even dishonor the Almighty by asking for forgiveness.

He collapsed on the dry sands and drifted slowly from his body. When he almost lost consciousness he had a vision of angels. Then one of them spoke to him in a resonant voice, "Alif! Get up! We have a message for you from the almighty. He has forgiven your sins on one condition".

Sheikh interrupted " But a sinner like me does not deserve another chance".

Angel reassured him "You may not be able to forgive yourself but almighty does, he always gives you a second chance, it is up to you to take it and resolve your past errors, We want you to walk to the pool next to the creek, you will find an abandoned infant there, take him home with you, bring him up like your own and all your deeds will be forgiven. When you reach home you will find your home as usual with laughter of your daughter and wife trailing in the corridors and a feast awaiting you on your table". Saying this the apparition melted into the desert air.

Sheikh lifted his heavy heart and body form the sand and paced slowly towards the oasis. When he reached there he found no signs of an infant there, he thought may be the desert sun created a mirage, or his mind was playing tricks on him. He turned away and started to walk back when he heard the ear-piercing wail of an infant floating in a basket, stuck under a big boulder. He hurried to rescue the infant still dazed at the realization that he was not hallucinating.

When he reached home he found his mansion buzzing with life again, as if the hell he witnessed there days ago never happened.

He raised the boy with tremendous love and gratitude. He was a changed man. He gave up his slave trade and traded in gems and jewels. He became the wealthiest Seikh in the region. He decided if God gave him a new life he must impart the same gift to others. The rich Seikh went door to door to find slaves bought them back at whatever price the owners quoted and set them free. He did that for many years.

His son grew up to be a powerful youth. People loved and respected him; he was accepted as the leader of the clan. Together the father and son ran their kingdom.

Seikh died as an old man, with peace in his heart. The unchained souls blessed his heart to be freed of guilt.