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Tuesday, October 25, 2011

And We Had Dinner (Guest Post 3)

A few days ago, one of my friends got a lucrative job in a university. To celebrate the occasion, we decided to go for a lavish dinner at some restaurant. Of course, he was to pay the bill. After a long debate over what to eat and where to go, finally we decided on having a buffet dinner at a near-by restaurant. The date, time and venue were decided and everyone was to arrive at the exact time on their own.

I and my one friend live in a hostel so we decided to go together. We reached at 9pm at the venue. Total of 7 people gathered. But we were in for a surprise. We were told that there is no buffet as outdoor lawns are closed due to the Dengue epidemic. So we had to sit indoors. Searching the menu and everybody wanted to order their own choice. I ordered what I wanted. And as it is normally take about half an hour so we were thinking to sit and chit chat for a while. But our friend had other plans.
He stopped the waiter before he could place the orders.
He asked him to bring the bill in advance! The poor waiter was as much flabbergasted as we were
because the normal thing was to eat first and they pay later. But our friend insisted and so the bill arrived. It was about PKR 3500 (about US$ 40). Well not that much given the lucrative job he got. But as we were still dumbfounded by this act, our friend rushed out of the restaurant. Only after reaching for the door, with jerk of the head, he asked us to follow him. Left with no option, we had to move out leaving the waiter and everybody aghast.

We were thinking that may be our friend realized the money was too much and he wanted us to eat
at some less expensive place. One of us suggested that may be our friend left his wallet and therefore, was unable to pay. Our minds churning out different theories, we tried to reach him. He was moving with a faster pace. We asked him what had happened. We even put our theories in front of him. But he remained silent. Now we were really fuming with anger. What was that? That was like an insult to us. We thought of complete social boycott of him. But he was unmoved.

After walking for like a half kilometer, he entered into a dark corner. We were suspicious. Could he be kidnapping all of us? Or was he into some criminal activities? Or even worse, was he doing something immoral there? Everybody would have thought like that if were in the same situation. It was a dark night, with no electricity and being in a place far from human population, we were bound to be skeptical. Anyway, we followed him and reaching the corner, we could see some light probably a candle or a lantern there. And in that light, we could recognize there were humans. Who were they? Children kidnapped by these criminals? Or the ones used for begging and illegal organ transplant? One never knows with places like these.

We continued to move on and now we could clearly see the faces. It was a family consisting of an elderly woman, with a man, probably her husband, lying on the floor, apparently ill. On the other side were an infant with no clothes, and then there was an ultra-slim teenage girl, obviously malnourished. They were telling our friend that they had no lunch and dinner that day and the infant was unable to sleep because of hunger. Our friend took out his wallet, gave her PKR 3500 and left.



We were spellbound for the second time that night. This time, we were ashamed of ourselves. For
not having dinner at that restaurant, how much dirty and evil thoughts we had in that little time. On the way back, we didn’t speak at all. He offered us to dine at another less expensive restaurant on the way. But we could not. We were not hungry anymore. It was around mid-night when we reached our hostel. And I could not sleep that night. I often have had that feeling that instead of eating something very expensive at a very expensive place, one can satiate their hunger with something less expensive.
And I do that almost every day. But the money I “save” this way remains in my pocket. I never thought of giving the money “saved” to someone who cannot afford even a simple meal a day. And I think that night, the dinner which we didn’t have, was the most gourmet dinner that I can ever have in my life.

-Muhammad Israr


P.S. Thanks a lot for this lovely post Israr. I loved it completely but I am really sorry for publishing it little late :(
and for all of you you loved it.. do check out The Way You Make Me Feel, Its one of my personal favorites at Israr's Misterio Vida :)

41 comments:

Mukesh Kumar said...

Nice thought shared by u Israr by this blog....

Pat Hatt said...

Great thought and well told.

Rachit said...

Oh great.. heart touching .. simply great :)

Weakest LINK

Misterio Vida said...

thanks Madhulika for hosting me at your blog :) Happy Diwali and enjoy your stay at home :)

Fatima said...

nice post israr.

Asma Khan said...

A true Muslim would never help the poor so that others can see what a good person he or she is. By seeking Allah’s pleasure, a Muslim is taking this act of charity beyond human recognition and humbling himself before Allah.

Visit my blog--> Stay Blessed

Anonymous said...

Importaint to keep in mind.
Here in Norway, there is not so many poor people like that, but there are others in a similar way. I feel it's difficult to know who deserve my help, and then, do they want my help?
But it's impotaint, bacause we all need to chose which way to go.

-- said...

"And I think that night, the dinner which we didn’t have, was the most gourmet dinner that I can ever have in my life." ~ ~ ~

That says it all, Israr! :) What an inspiring story ~ a joy to read. Thank you for sharing with us and a special thanks to Madhulika for publishing it on her blog :)

kiranshah said...

i m realy moved n cant stop myself to think about my daily life.if we wear less expensive dress or eat sothing simple n spend some rupees for those who r not hahing anything to eat,this would realy reduce the pain n sufferings of these dwntrodn people.Nabi Alaih e alsslam ki hadth he: ay ibne adam to hmesha kehta he mera mal mera mal, halan k tera kia he? sirf whi jo to khaya or waste kr dia ya pehna or purana kr dia, dr hqiqt jo mal tm khuda ki rah men kharch kia whi tmhara he..... May Allah give us sence to think about others.

kiranshah said...

I m realy moved Israr by readin this post, it made me think about our behaviour in daily life. how much moneny we spend just for our satisfection.

Mrsupole said...

Really great post.

I am not understanding one of the comments about how one does not show charity in front of others. I somehow think it is not wrong to show charity to others in front of others. Sometimes this is what is needed to remind others that they too need to be charitable. The real question is why someone is being charitable. If you are seeking God's approval then maybe one should do it in private. If you are seeking the approval of your friends and family then maybe you should rethink why you are being charitable. But if you are doing it to actually help others in need then you should not need any approval from anyone. God will know if you are doing it to truly help others or if you are just seeking approval from anyone.

It is great to help others and to try to guide others to do the same thing. We should not have to shame others into doing this but we should just set an example but sometimes one does have to show others by example. I think the person who got this job was showing by example. Although I am not sure if this was the correct way I do have to say that those there will not forget about this for a long time and so a good thing was probably done.

I also think that we should remember that saying about if you give a person some fish, they eat for one meal, but if you teach them how to fish, they eat for a lifetime.

Sometimes it is hard to choose who to be charitable with. I think the thing is that we just must be charitable as much as possible. I just worry about those who are beginning to expect others to give to them and seem to attack the givers and think they are not given enough. That is when it is hard to give, these are the ones who could care less about learning how to fish and just want fish for free.

Lots to think about with this post.

Always remember to love one another and everything else will work out.

God bless.

Nasnin Nasser said...

That's a moving post Israr...I tell you na...your posts sometimes revive the compassion remaining dormant in my heart...
"And I think that night, the dinner which we didn’t have, was the most gourmet dinner that I can ever have in my life."...I am so touched by those words...;)

Nice sharing and it is so sweet of Madhulika to publish it here in her blog:-)

Regards Israr:-) Thank you so much for this moving post! It gave a short tremor in my conscience!

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful story - very moving with a deep meaning.
If we would all be ready to share 1 "saved money diner", we could help a lot of people.
It was nonetheless very altruistic from your friend and I am sure you went all back to bed remembering a great lesson.

Thank you for sharing it with us and for Madhulika to post it on her blog.

Cloud Nine said...

Inspiring! Love this post...Israr:) Thanks for the guest post Madhulika:) Happy Diwali, enjoy the 'sharing' and 'giving' Diwali brings us!

Quality in Everything We Do said...

Misterio Vida:

Superb theme and mind blowing ground reality being grasped in an auspicious wordings. Recommended read for all humans, having soft corner for humanity’s well being.

I appreciate Madhulika that she has found such a sparking personality as her Blog’s follower, as a consequence got such a spectacular blog. We should think first for most deserving people, than to spend extravagently on lavish life.

Well read and keep on sharing with all of us.

Quality in Everything We Do said...

Misterio Vida

Superb theme and mind blowing ground reality being grasped in an auspicious wordings. Recommended read for all humans, having soft corner for humanity’s well being.

I appreciate Madhulika that she has found such a sparking personality as her Blog’s follower, as a consequence got such a spectacular blog. We should think first for most deserving people, than to spend extravagently on lavish life.

Well read and keep on sharing with all of us.

Balqis DBJ said...

So touching and inspiring! Even a single penny means a lot to those who hardly have a single meal a day.

Israr, you wrote so brilliantly taking into account the hardship faced by those who are less fortunate. This is humanity. I'd like to point out, you wrapped up the story so meaningfully.

To Madhulika, thanks for making it possible for us to read Israr's work.

MARIA ALMAS said...

Israr thats really makes me speechless in the ending lines... yes this is true we spend so much without thinking for those who are starving even don't have shelter to protect themselves and as post on Eid ul Fitar was on the same theme.
i salute your friend who actually practically did something and also make you people think over that too.
if such type of few more people will born in this world than i am sure this world will start changing.
i really appreciate you on writing such an important topic as a guest writer. :)
keep writing and sharing your thought provoking views :)

Sujatha Sathya said...

i was speechless after reading this.
i bow to your friend. god bless him
and i can understand Israr how you were so moved by the act that your hunger died & yet you felt it was the best gourmet dinner you'd have ever had. such random acts of kindness is what keeps humanity alive & blessings to you & your friend

Brian Miller said...

excellent post...i really enjoyed and there are so many hungry people these days...to share a meal means much...so bless you for having done it...i enjoy doing it myself...

Margie said...

A story that was very inspiring!
Nice to be here and read it!

Destination Infinity said...

What you have conveyed is absolutely right. Before over spending on stuff for a perceived quality (which is more about the ego actually), we should consider that there are so many other people (sometimes in our own extended families) who could find that amount useful to buy some basic amenities. Only if more people started to think like your friend...

Destination Infinity said...

Nice post Israr. So, when are you giving a similar treat to others? :)

Lydia said...

Your friend had a fascinating way of making an important point. Sometimes people need a real jolt to come to their senses. Other times we innately know there is much suffering all around us. Even so, awareness is not enough....it takes action such as what you described here. I feel best in my heart when I have given to or shared with those who are without basic needs.

You wrote a lovely guest post in this very fine blog!

PhilO♥ said...

Wow! that guy really showed humanity!
Lovely post :)

Life Unordinary said...

great story, thanks for sharing.

Misterio Vida said...

@ALL...
sorry, i am having problems with bloggers for the last few days that is why i could not reply to your comments. and also for this reason, i will reply to all in one comment...


@Mukesh...
thanks for reading and liking the post :)

@Pat Hatt..
thanks :)

@Rachit...
thanks for reading and liking :)

@Fatima...
Thanks for liking :)

@Asma...
Yes but sometimes good deeds should be performed in public so that others can be inspired for doing the same :)

@Ege...
well, may be in your part of the world, it is difficult to find poor people but still there will be many who are deserving and one can always try to help these needy people :)

@Lady Fiona...
Thanks for reading and liking the post here :) your comments are always inspiring and encouraging :)

@kiranshah...
i am glad that the post moved you and made you think about your life and actions. that is the spirit that we can always save a part from our expenses on clothes, foods etc and give that amount to someone who cannot afford and this way we can get the inner satisfaction when we see someone happy just because of our little efforts.


@Mrsupole...
thank you for reading and liking the post. i cannot add to what you said in your comments. but different people have different opinions. i think sometimes it is important to do good deeds in public so that others can learn and be inspired and follow.


@Nasnin...
you are always generous in your comments :) i am glad that the post served the purpose :)

@MarieHarmony...
Thank you very much for reading and liking the story and be inspired from it. with little bits of help here and there, we can do a lot for the needy and deserving people of the world.

@albusclosethedoor...
:)

@Cloud Nine...
thank you for reading and liking the post. and happy diwali to you too :)

@Quality in Everything We Do...
Thank you buddy for liking and appreciating my writings as always :)
i think every human have a soft corner for humanity but sometimes we never think about it.all it takes is a little inspiration like this. yes i think we should think of the needy people around ourselves and try to help them.


@Balquis...
Thanks for appreciating and liking my writings. I am glad you liked the story and the act of charity.

@Maria Almas...
i am glad the post served its purpose. yes with a little courage and will, we all can do these acts of helping others. i hope we can do something for the needy people on this eid which is all about sacrifice.

@Sujatha Sathya...
glad you liked it. i think sometimes we are so absorbed in thoughts about something that we even forget about ourselves and hunger, thirst and everything is fogotten. i think with acts like these by people keep the world moving.

@Brian Miller...
thank you for reading and appreciating. yes there are so many hungry people in the world and by doing little acts like these can help them alot while for us it is just a skipped meal :)

@Margie...
thank you for reading and liking the story :)

@Destination Infinity...
thank you for reading and liking the post. you summed it up beautifully. there are many people who are in real need and we can do our own effots to help them.

@Exciting Songs...
Thank you for liking. Lets hope we all can give treats like this for the betterment of our world.

@Lydia...
Yes that is the whole point. One need encouragement and motivation to do good deeds. And with acts like these, one gets inspiration and inner satisfaction. Thank you for coming all the way here to read my guest post 

@Philo...
Yes this is it. All it takes is a little bit of humanity towards other and we can help a lot of people. Thanks for liking 

@Life Unordinary...
thanks for reading and liking the post 

Misterio Vida said...

@Rahul...

thanks :)

Bikram said...

Thats a lovely story .. if only all people are so good and care for everyone ..
world would be a better place to live in

Bikram's

R. Ramesh said...

wonderful post yar...i keep telling our guys..if only people around us r loving..it is heaven on earth..y should v look for heven elsewhere it is all here..

Misterio Vida said...

@Bikramjit...

thank you for liking :) yes that is the message :)


@R. Ramesh...
thank you man :) yes you are right and keep on telling people what you have been telling :)

SANDEEP PANWAR said...

great work

Subhrashis Adhikari said...

wow...touching post :)

Misterio Vida said...

@जाट देवता (संदीप पवाँर) ...

Thanks :)



@SUB...

Thanks for liking :)

Anonymous said...

I find this story to be so amazing I almost feel the shivers. What a beautiful thing to do - only if more people had similar understanding and confidence to do this - the world would be a better place to live.

Zeba said...

This is good. GOOD. Making me think..

Misterio Vida said...

@the britishasianblog...


thanks for reading and liking...yes with little efforts like these we can make a lot of difference to the world around us and make the world a safer and happier place...


@zeba...

i m glad you liked it... and i hope you will get something positive out of the thinking :)

Jyoti Mishra said...

Its always fun reading Israr's write up.. and this one is fantastic read as ever :)

Misterio Vida said...

@jyoti mishra...

its always encouraging to have your comments and your words... im glad you followed my writings all the way to here :)

Inspector Saahab said...

great lesson instilled. be moderate and remember those who can't even be able to get the food on the table.

nice post :)

Misterio Vida said...

@inspector Saahab...

thanks for liking...your comments are always encouraging :)

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