Post
by Mohsen » Sun Dec 02, 2012 6:30 pm
Hi friends, this moral story ,I forward it to you
Nafiseh sat waiting for her friend Narges who was coming to visit her. She was surprised at her friend's demand for a private meeting. Nafiseh thought Narges must have a serious problem, so she was anxious to see her friend, when she arrived a few minutes late. Nafiseh waited for her to start talking while Narges tried to appear composed.
Then she said, "Can I ask you a question!"
"Yes, with pleasure!" said Nafiseh.
Narges said, "I want you to answer frankly."
"Now you know I am always frank!" Nafiseh assured her.
"Why did you refuse Ramin's proposal of marriage!" burst out Narges.
Nafiseh was taken aback by the question. She was silent for a while, and said, "Can I also ask you a question!"
"Of course, you can," said Narges.
"Why do you ask me a question that might upset me? You know he is my relative and I have refused him for certain reasons."
Hesitantly Narges said, "Well, he has proposed to me. That's why I want to know your reasons for refusing him."
"Oh, I see!" said Nafiseh, and went silent. Then Narges began to plead with her saying, "I must know. I am your friend, am not I! Don't you care for me?"
"Yes, you are my friend and I do care for you, so I will tell you the reason. But first of all, what do you know about him? " Nafiseh asked Narges.
"I know that he is a handsome, gentleman, educated, and well mannered with a good social position."
"That's right," said Nafiseh. "He is also wealthy. But is that enough?"
Narges, pale faced, murmured, "He is not a committed Muslim !"
"You know this and yet you still ask me my reason for refusing him?"
"I know that religion is very important, but he might change”, said Narges.
"How?" asked Nafiseh.
"Have you ever thought that he might be guided to the right path?" proffered Narges.
"Is this what you think?" said Nafiseh.
"I think," began Narges, "that refusing him is a kind of cowardice. I think we can bring Ramin and the likes of him back to religion, and that we should strive for that."
"O.K., but how are you going to do it?" Nafiseh said.
"I have means" said Narges. "Anyway why should I refuse him when he has all these good qualifications?
If I leave him, he may marry someone who will increase his disregard for religion. If I accept him, I may bring him back to faith."
"That's your opinion" said Nafiseh. "I won't impose mine on you. However, it is a very dangerous game, or marriage at risk."
"Oh, please do not exaggerate so Nafiseh. Marriage is an adventure. I feel I can tolerate the experience."
"You are quite wrong! Experience does not make a fool wise. There is a great difference between marriage to a committed believer, who is careful of his religious duties which protect him from deviation, and a non-committed Muslim, who cares for nothing but earthly pleasures that change with the times."
"It is a risk" said Narges, "But if I succeed it would be in the best interests of religion."
"You say: ‘If I succeed', this 'if' indicates your doubts. Marriage should start on a firm foundation." Nafiseh told her.
Narges looked down as if in inner conflict. Then she said, "What is your opinion?"
"I don't know what to say" said Nafiseh. "I am afraid you will suffer as a result of such an experience. It is a dangerous game. A husband does not usually accept his wife's opinion and he may even make her accept his. Then the wife may find herself standing at a crossroad leading either to the failure of her marriage or the loss of her religion. You know both are terribly hard to tolerate."
Nafiseh stopped for a while and waited for Narges to speak.
When she did it was in a choked voice, "What then?"
"I think you can spare yourself such trouble!" said Nafiseh kindly.
"Suppose I am forced into doing it. What should I do then ? "
"That's for you to decide Narges. No one can impose their will on you, whoever they are!"
Narges was silent, then said challengingly, "I shall take the risk. I hope that I will be successful."
Nafiseh looked at her and said coldly, "You are free to do what you like. I hope you won't be sorry afterwards." Narges got up saying, "I apologize for having taking up your time."
Nafiseh, "Nothing to apologize for, I feel sorry for you! "
They shook hands and Narges left the house. Nafiseh felt she had just lost a friend.