Chapter 3 Firdaus and His Parents

Mina, who is currently busy taking care of Firdaus, also feels the impact of the drought. The price of milk became very expensive because the dairy cows had difficulty getting food. The dairy farmers' grass fields are suddenly barren even though they are watered every day. The water is not enough to grow grass.

Bilal also remembered how Sophia was in the forest during this dry season.

"Why has the drought been so long? Shouldn't it be the rainy season now?" Mina asked while holding Firdaus.

Bilal did not provide any comments. He was still staring at the dry grass and thinking about Sophia. He was worried that the seeds he gave Sophia would not produce food for his wife.

"O God. I left my wife in a place where there is no human other than her. Take care of her when I can't watch her. If she is in good health, then make her happy. If she is sick, then make her healthy, O God. You are the best of God. To you I believe everything," said Bilal in his mind.

***

Sophia still with her last breath she stared straight at the roof of the house. While saying the shahada. Now his eyes turned to the alarm clock on the table. 14:34. One more hour to enter the time for Asr prayer. However, Sophia couldn't move her body. The woman's tears dripped from her temples.

"O God, You know best how obedient I am to my husband. I left my son there to obey him. I'm sure you know that too. Allow me to fulfill his request to wait for my son to pick me up here," Sophia said in her heart.

Sophia closed her eyes until she fell asleep and woke up when it was pitch black outside. Even Sophia couldn't get up to light the oil lamp.

She was crying again. "I missed the Asr and Maghrib prayers. Oh God, if you want to pick me up first, pick me up. I'm afraid to leave the prayer any longer because of my inability," Sophia said again.

Suddenly there was the sound of rain outside. But Sophia fell back asleep in the dark.

At 23:01, a group of lost hunters found the old house and they decided to take shelter there because the rain had not stopped since half past 7 last night. They also found the fields where Sophia was gardening and the plants that died there. They believe that there is life in the house.

They opened the unlocked door and illuminated the whole house with flashlights. They found a woman lying on the floor next to her bed.

They were the ones who woke Sophia and gave her food and drink. They are also the ones who helped Sophia recover from her illness.

After chatting with Sophia. It is known that the mob were not hunters and they did not get lost. It's just that they ran away from the forest's native tribe.

They are the slaves of the Parko Tribe. Sophia had no idea that slavery still existed in modern times.

"They are Muslims just like you," said one of them who was explaining what the Parko Tribe was like. The hijab that Sophia wears indicates that she is a Muslim.

"Can a Muslim enslave another human being?" Sophia asked hoarsely.

They glanced at each other. "We don't know. None of us are Muslim. All we have in mind is that they bought us just to sleep," one of them replied.

"Really? Muslims aren't like that. I think you've misjudged it," Sophia said.

"We believe what we see and that's a fact."

Sophia just converted to Islam last year. The knowledge that Bilal gave had not yet reached such a stage.

Yes, Islam justifies slavery. But it was also Islam that freed slaves in some cases. If Islam had not freed slaves, slavery might still be happening today even in the midst of society.

This error occurred because of the lack of information about Islam to the slaves who were in the midst of the Parko Tribe. They are also treated well and have their rights fulfilled by their employers. But one of them betrayed. He gathered slaves to carry out a rebellion. After losing against the masters, now he leads the slaves to run away.

Sophia and the slaves made peace with the situation. He allowed the slaves to stay and built a house next to his house so that Sophia would not be lonely anymore. Sophia also distributed some seeds for their initial capital to grow crops. This rainy season is a blessing for Sophia. He got neighbors, friends and more crops.

Sophia also taught the slaves to dry their food ingredients so they could be used for a long time. Slowly they revived a small village there.

Year after year passed. This is Sophia's 7th year living in the forest. Living side by side with slaves, Sophia is the only Muslim woman there. The slaves also sometimes joked about the religion Sophia currently embraced.

"We've harvested this much, while you haven't. Actually your prayers are just a waste of time and of no use, Mother," said Adnan, the slave who led their escape.

Mother, as they called Sophia because they had considered Sophia a good mother to them.

"I pray to chat with my God. Because He is the one this plant can grow. Because He is also the one you came here and helped me become an intermediary for me to continue living and waiting in this house," replied Sophia picking vegetables.

"Chat? What are you talking about with your God? Even your God will not be able to free a slave like us. I see a lot of Muslims just wasting time," replied Adnan.

"I believe God is with me. Everything will work out at the best time and under the best conditions," Sophia replied with a smile.

***

"Dauuuss!!" Mina shouted in the dining room. "Eat first, Son!" he continued.

Little Firdaus ran to Mina and was greeted with a hug by her. Firdaus laughed seeing the face of the woman he thought was his mother.

"Where's dad?" asked Firdaus.

"Daddy is still out of town. He takes care of his work," replied Mina.

Mina loves Firdaus like her own child. Mina also teaches good morals to her child. Mina is Firdaus' first madrasa. Mina taught him to speak, walk, recite the Koran, read, count. But in some aspects Mina also teaches Firdaus not to be spoiled for herself and Bilal.

***

Far away where Bilal was. He prepared everything. "In 10 years, Firdaus will pick up Sophia," he said to himself.

Firdaus immediately made a will that all his wealth and throne would be passed on to Firdaus. while his wife's share is 2 percent of his total wealth. Even 2 percent is not a small amount considering that Bilal's total assets are more than hundreds of trillions. However, Bilal also wrote that Firdaus was responsible for being fair to his two mothers and he was responsible for providing for the needs of the poor that Bilal used to be able to provide.

***

In the midst of waiting for Firdaus to be 17 years old as Bilal said. Mina is actually pregnant with her first child, and Firdaus is so happy about it because he is getting a little brother.