5. Would you like to meet him outside the institution? (cont.)

Any idea how he delivered that lecture? Did he speak? How could he, for he was dumb! Did he use sign language? How could he, for he was blind and had never learnt sign language! He delivered his lecture by 'touch' language. Abu 'Abdullah, who was the translator, placed his hand be76 The tongue is king tween Fayiz's hands. Fayiz would then touch his hand in particular ways by which Abu 'Abdullah knew what Fayiz was trying to say. He would then relate to us what he understood from Fayiz. Sometimes it would take up to a quarter of an hour to understand what he was trying to say. Fayiz would then sit still, not knowing whether the translator had finished translating or not, as he was of course neither able to hear nor see. When the translator would finish speaking, he would strike Fayiz's knee once again. Fayiz would then stretch out his hands and grab hold of the translator's hand and touch it in particular ways to convey his message. The people remained seated, watching Fayiz and the translator communicating with amazement. Fayiz was encouraging the audience to repent to Allah for their sins. He would at times hold his ears, then his tongue, and then place his hands over his eyes. We would not understand what he meant until Abu 'Abdullah translated for us. He was advising the people to guard their ears and eyes lest they fall into the forbidden. As I looked at the people, I noticed some people sigh, "SubhanAllah", others whispered to the person sitting next to them, others were watching with great interest and still others were crying. As for me, mind had wandered off very far indeed. I began to contemplate on the faculties Fayiz had in comparison to what the audience were blessed with, and contrasted that with Fayiz's services for the religion in comparison to that of the audience. Surely the concern that this blind, deaf and dumb person had for Islam was greater than the concern in the hearts of all the audience combined! The tongue is king Although the man had a very limited number of faculties, he was exhausting himself in service to this religion. He felt as if he was a soldier of Islam, responsible for anyone who sinned or fell short. He was constantly moving his hand, as if he was admonishing, "For how much longer will you abandon the prayer? For how much longer will you continue to look at the Haram? For how much longer will you continue with your disgraceful acts? For how much longer will you continue to consume Haram? For how much longer will you continue upon Shirk? For how much longer? Is it not enough that its enemies are waging a war against our religion? Why do you have to join the war against our religion?" The poor man's complexion would often change as he shared what he had in his heart with the audience, who were in turn were greatly affected. Although I did not turn around to look at the people, I could still hear people crying and sighing "SubhanAllah!" Fayiz eventually finished his lecture and got up, as Abu 'Abdullah held his hand. The audience came to him to greet him. I saw him greeting them and it was obvious to me that he treated everyone equally. He greeted everyone and did not distinguish between rich and poor, leaders and followers. I thought to myself that if only all people were like Fayiz! Abu 'Abdullah took Fayiz out of the mosque. I walked by their side as they made their way to the car. I saw Fayiz and the translator joking with each other and thought to myself how insignificant this world was! How many people have not been afflicted with a quarter of Fayiz's problems, and yet they are still The tongue is king unable to overcome their sadness and sorrow! How about those who have chronic illnesses, such as kidney failure, paralysis, thrombus, diabetes or other impediments? Why don't they enjoy their lives and learn to live with the reality? How wonderful it is when Allah afflicts His servant and then looks into his heart to find that he is still thankful, pleased and yearning for his reward from Him! Many days have passed, and yet Fayiz's picture is still embedded in my memory. If Fayiz can be so successful in life and earn the love of people being blind, dumb and deaf, then how about the one who has been blessed with a tongue, sight and hearing? Use your tongue to gain people's love! Reality... A man's flesh is not fit for eating nor is his skin fit for clothing − there is nothing in him except the sweetness of his tongue. The tongue is king (77) Control your tongue A person may utter a callus word that displeases Allah for which He will be angry with him until the day He meets him. This is why the Prophet warned people from uttering something callously without contemplating its consequences.