WINGS OF HUMILITY
A Play in One Act
by
Hafsah bint Nurein
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Dhikrullah Adesope: | A man in his late fifties. He is a successful engineer with a gentle heart. He loves and indulges his two sons.
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Kaamil Adesope: | A 23-year old, 300-level university student. Dhikrullah’s first son. He follows the Sunnah (sayings, practices and tacit approvals of Prophet Muhammad) to the best of his ability.
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Fareed Adesope: | A 15-year old just out of secondary school. Dhikrullah’s second son. Kaamil is his role model.
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ACT 1
SCENE 1
Kaamil’s bedroom.
It is Saturday afternoon and Kaamil is seen sitting on his prayer mat on the floor, reciting the Qur’an from a well-used mushaf (hard copy of the Qur’an). His brother, Fareed, is lying on the bed playing a game on his phone. The room is bare, with little or no furniture, except for the bed and reading desk and chair. A wardrobe is fixed to the wall on the right. Dhikrullah can be heard calling his son from the living room
FAREED
(Glances at his brother)
Abu is calling you now.
DHIKRULLAH
(raising his voice a little)
Kaamil!. Are you not through with your solat?
KAAMIL
(reluctantly)
Sir!.
(Dhikrullah walks into Kaamil’s room. He is surprised to see that his son has not moved from his spot on the mat.
DHIKRULLAH
Did you not hear me call you?
KAAMIL
(looking up from his Mushaf)
I did sir. But I wanted to finish reading this Surah before coming out to meet you.
DHIKRULLAH
Well, come downstairs now and clean my car. I want to go out.
(He prepares to walk out of the room).
KAAMIL
(whining)
But Abu, let Fareed do that pls. I am in the middle of my murooja’ah (revision of the Qur’an)
DHIKRULLAH
(sounding surprised)
Subhanallah!. (In a commanding tone) I want you to get up now and do as I say.
KAAMIL
(still whining)
Ah, ewo daddy, it will have to wait o. I can’t do it now.
DHIKRULLAH
(He is stunned, but he recovers himself and says to Fareed, who has been watching silently.) Fareed go downstairs and wash my car for me, will you?
FAREED
(gets to his feet)
Right away Sir.
(Dhikrullah and Fareed leave the room, while Kaamil continues with his recitation. Blackout.)
ACT I
SCENE TWO
(The next day. Fareed is seen watching T.V in the sitting room. Kaamil has just returned from an outing and is tired. He joins Fareed on the settee.)
KAAMIL
(To Fareed) Please could you get me some water from the fridge?
(Fareed does not reply his brother.) Ah ah, did you not hear me?
FAREED
I did. But this series I am watching is quite interesting and I don’t want to miss a thing.
(His eyes do not leave the T.V screen).
KAAMIL
(Getting angry)
What rubbish. Get up and bring me water jo.
FAREED
No can do o, egbon. Go and get it yourself, or wait till I finish what I am watching.
KAAMIL
(incredulously)
Are you okay?
FAREED
(flippantly)
I am. Sebi I am only copying you.
KAAMIL
What are you talking about?.
FAREED
You did the same to Abu yesterday now. When he asked you to wash his car.
KAAMIL
(realises what is going on and begins to stutter, shame-faced)
But- but I…
FAREED
(in a gentle but firm voice)
You are my elder brother and you know I can never disrespect you. I look up to you, especially because you strive to be a good Muslim.
But I watched you yesterday and I was disappointed. Have you not read the verses in the Qur’an that says: (He proceeds to recite Q 17 vs 23 – 24)
“And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], “uff,” and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word.” “And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say, “My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small.”
You did not follow these commandments yesterday. I am also sure that you have come across the story of Jurayj.
KAAMIL
(dumbstruck. It is as though he has never heard those verses being recited before)
Subhanallah! Indeed, I have erred. I must make amends. Jazaakallahu khayran for the reminder little brother.
FAREED
Aamen wa anta fa jazaakallahu khayran egbon. Daddy is in his room upstairs, will you go now or…
KAAMIL
I will in shaa Allah. But you must get me my cup of water when I return o.
(Fareed nods and they both laugh. Kaamil leaves the settee to go upstairs. Curtain)
“Say: Come, I will recite unto you that which your Lord has made a sacred duty for you; that you ascribe nothing as partner unto Him and that you do good to parents…” (Qur’an 6 vs 151)
THE END