Eighteen years had passed since Abul Hasan's marriage.
Khalid was sixteen and Naheed was fourteen. With the accession of Caliph Waleed,
The new conquests of the Muslims had begun.
One day a ship of Sindhi traders arrived. He was accompanied by a Christian from Oman. Sindh traders told the Arabs of the island about the glorious conquests of the Muslims in Turkistan and North Africa. The Oman's businessman confirmed all these things.
Abul Hasan and some of his companions were ready for Hajj.
The King(Raja) used to listen to the news of the new countries from the mouth of the traders coming from outside with great interest.
On hearing the news of the fresh conquests of the Muslims, he sent for Abul Hasan and expressed his desire to send some presents of gold and jewels to the Caliph of the Muslims and the governor of Iraq.
Abul Hasan replied,
I will gladly take your gifts to him.
The merchants of Sindh sold their goods and returned after buying other goods.
A few days after their departure,
Abu al-Hasan and his companions prepared for the Hajj journey.
This year, apart from the nine Muslims of Sarandeep, the number of Arabs going on Hajj was also higher than normal.
Talha and three more Arab traders stayed behind to take care of the houses of the pilgrims,gone.
Abul Hasan had planned to take his wife and children with him, but three days before the journey, Salma suddenly fell ill and had to postpone this plan.
Khalid, like a young eagle fluttering in the nest after taking off his wings, was determined to show his soldiery in the field of action, but his mother's illness forced him to stay at home.
Abul Hasan promised that he would send him on a tour of Arabia as soon as he returned.
On the day of leave,
Salma had severe fever. But despite the extreme pain, she did not lie down on the bed.
Take me with you,Don't forget your promises.
Abul Hasan innocently replied,
"No, Salma!"There was seasonal fever on the ship, it would hurt a lot.
If you get well, I will take you with me on another trip.
Look, I am leaving Khalid and Naheed for your care.
Talha will also take care of you.
She said with tears in his eyes,
No!
No!
Take me.
I can bear every pain with you.
Abul Hassan said,
"Salma, don't be stubborn."
See how fast your pulse is.
Your face is red due to fever.
You have never traveled by sea.
I will be back soon.
No.
This time I know that your journey is very long and I may not be able to wait for long.
Abul Hasan replied with a sad face.
Salma!
You are crying.
It has been many years since,
I told you that Muslim women do not shed tears when seeing off solider(Mujahid).
These words had a magical effect on Salma.
She wiped away her tears and tried to smile and said,
"The reason I was so sad was not because you were leaving, but because you were leaving me."
If you had once taken me to the field of war (Jihad), then perhaps you would not have reproached me for weakness.
I can stand with you in the shower of arrows, but waiting for you,every morning and evening climbing the roof of the house and looking at the sea will be a test of patience for me.
Abul Hasan replied.
This patience is the war(Jihad) of women. The work that men cannot do in the field, those women can do sitting in the four walls of the house. Women cannot become Khalid(R.A) and Misna(R.A) but can attain the status of their mothers.
Today, our soldiers are fighting far away from their homes and their ambitions are kept high by the women who are patiently and independently taking on the responsibility of mothers, sisters and wives at home.
Thanks to the trust in them, the thought does not create anxiety in their hearts that what will happen to their younger brothers and children at home.
Salma!
You tell me.
Can a soldier who thinks that his wife has gone blind from crying and his children are stumbling in the streets, die smiling like a brave man?
Suppose, if I don't come, you won't send Khalid off for war(Jihad) like other Arab mothers?
Salma replied that you believe it.
If you will not be a bad father to Khalid, I will not like to be a bad mother either.
In the evening, Abul Hasan's ship left.
Salma was standing on the roof with Naheed looking at the sea.
Despite the restraint, tears came to his eyes.
Naheed said,Mother !
You promised father that you will not shed tears in front of us.
Salma replied while wiping her tears daughter!
I wish it was just me, my heart is very weak compared to your father.
Salma said this and sat down.
Naheed said keeping his hand on her pulse. Mom, you still have fever. You lie in bed!