Chapter 3: Work Troubles

Zaheer paced up and down, up and down. The past week had been challenging and Zaheer was filled with concern. He had sent his CV to a few other companies, companies who he thought might be interested but they all had yet to reply to him.

It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon and instead of spending the day outside Zaheer was in his bedroom, pacing up and down. He needed a plan; he needed to figure out what to do. What if he got fired and couldn’t manage to get another job? What would he do then? Needless to say, he spent much more time these days making lots of dua.

On Friday he had completed his own evaluation. He sat in front of what seemed like a panel of judges, answering questions that they asked. They sat with all of his files, discussing all of his previous records of work and asking him about all of his future plans. This ‘panel of judges’ as the guys had all come to call it, consisted of his boss, Peter, and two other department heads who were superiors to even Peter. Now, as he paced up and down his room, he kept reviewing the details of Friday’s meeting.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door. “Come inside” Zaheer said. His father Imraan, aware of his son’s latest burdens, came to find out how he was doing.
“Im fine daddy” Zaheer said. “Really I am”
“Well, I know that you’re worried” Imraan said, ignoring his sons seemingly convincing words. “But you really need to stop stressing over this. You know what they say, when one door closes then another one opens, right?”

“I know” Zaheer said, trying to sound as positive as he possibly could. “Im just thinking about all that I should do. Really, im fine daddy please don’t worry about me.”

Imraan was used to his son’s evasiveness so he got up and began leaving.
“Daddy” Zaheer said before his father was completely gone.
“Yes” replied Imraan
“Well, I was just wondering”, continued Zaheer, “If its always this hard for a man. I mean here I am worrying about my job and I have some colleagues who have families and bills and bonds to pay. What will they do if they suddenly lose their main source of income? So, well, it is always this hard?”

“Yes, its hard” replied Imraan. “It’ll always be this way, especially when you have more responsibilities in life. But you must always remember that Allah is the Provider. In life you’ll only get the share that Allah has proportioned for you. So then, always do your best, fulfil the duties to others, ask of Allah and then put your trust firmly in Him. When you realize that Allah is the Provider then you’ll begin to understand that no matter what happens in life, you’ll always get the share that Allah has willed for you. So if you lose your job, then that share that Allah has willed for you, you’ll get it from some other means. Allah’s will is incalculable and incomprehensible. Don’t ever forget that son.”

Zaheer said no more, though his mood clearly seemed to have improved. Imraan, who had sat down again, now got up and began leaving. “If you ever need anything Zaheer” Imraan said while departing. “even just simple advice, don’t be afraid to ask.”

It was a while after his talk with his father that Zaheer had finally come to a firm decision. He was now determined not to waste another moment worrying about things that he had no control over. His father was right, everything can only happen according to Allah’s will. Hadn’t he been making dua to Allah? Hadn’t he been asking Allah for help? Now he knew firmly that Allah would ease his difficulties and provide him with only his own share.

He quickly grabbed his cell phone and sent a sms to Aarif. “Where are you guys now, still busy with the match or what?”
Aarif’s response was quick. “Got delayed, only starting now. Changed your mind, wanna join us now?
Zaheer replied quickly: “Carry on, meet you there now!”

That, Zaheer thought would do the trick. A good soccer match would be the ideal thing to free his mind. He thought back to his high school days and how often they would play soccer. Now he was lucky if he managed to play once or twice in a month since the guys were usually all busy with their own commitments. He needed to get his mind off all his work troubles. He needed something to distract him since at times like these, when he would have loved to talk to Zahraa, he thought about her far too often.

Nope, this was a great opportunity and he didn’t want to miss it.