Yadallah

Ibrahim was working in one of the stores of the bazaar. One time I saw Ibrahim in circumstances which shocked me very much! He was carrying two big filled boxes on his shoulders. He put the boxes down in front of a store. When he finished the delivery, I went forward and said hello. Then I said, “Mr. Ibram this is not appropriate for you. This job is for manual laborers; not you!” He looked at me and said, “There is nothing wrong with working. Not working is bad. This work which I’m doing is good for me. It makes me sure that I am nothing. It takes away my pride!” I said, “If someone sees you in this state, it is not nice. You are an athlete… many people know you.” Ibrahim laughed and said, “Always do that which if God sees you, He will like you; not the people.” We were sitting with some friends and talking about Ibrahim. One of the friends who didn’t know Ibrahim took his picture from me and looked at it. Then he said with surprise, “Are you sure his name is Ibrahim?!” I said with wonder, “Yes. Why is that?!” He said, “I used to have a store in the Soltani Bazaar before. Ibrahim used to stand at the beginning of the entrance to the bazaar two days a week. He would put a bag for carrying loads on his shoulder and carry goods. One day I asked him, ‘What is your name?’ He said, ‘Call me Yadallah! ’ A while later one of my friends came to the bazaar. When he saw Ibrahim, he said with surprise, ‘Do you know him?!’ I said, ‘No! Why is that?!’ He said that Ibrahim is the champion in volleyball and wrestling. He is a virtuous man. He does these things to break his will. I have to tell you that he is a very great man! After that day, I didn’t see him anymore!” That man’s words made me think. This story was very surprising for me. This kind of fight against one’s own will was not reasonable at all. After some time I saw one of my old friends. We talked about the things Ibrahim had done. He said, “Before the revolution, Mr. Ibram came after us one day at noon. He took me, my brother and two other people to a restaurant for kebab. He ordered the best food, salad and soft drinks. It was very tasty. I hadn’t eaten such good food before. After eating Ibrahim asked, “How was it?” I said, “It was perfect! Thank you.” He said, “I have been carrying loads in the bazaar from this morning until now. The good taste of this food is due to the fact that I went through trouble to make this money!!”