The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate

When I first read The Story of My Life - by Ted Chiang, I was wishing he could read the Quran. Because I was reminded of the Quran, when I read it - how the story was not linear, how the idea of past, present and future is interrelated. It actually made me also understand the message in the Quran at a different level - more aware of how the story of what happens in Afterlife is presented - 'as if' it has happened - and it has - because our life is like a block of ice - frozen, and as a human being, we go through our passage of time, before we get to that part. It is mind-boggling, it makes me reflect so much and appreciate the Quran even more. So I had wished I can give Ted Chiang a copy of the Quran translation.

Then I read The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate - and I know, he HAS read the Quran. First, I'd like to note my feelings, when I came across familiar and true ideas of Allaah and a Muslim. Then I will also share what I feel about the whole story.

I was excited when I first saw 'Allaah is the beginning of all things'. [29:19] Whoa - okay.. this is mentioned in the Quran. And then came the story of Hassan, and how he 'prayed to Allaah for the injured to be healed and the dead to be at peace and thanked Allah for sparing him." - what a true Muslim would do.

At this point, and as the story became more intriguing, I can't help saying aloud, 'oh please don't be disappointing!' I was afraid if towards the end of the story, the idea of Allaah and a true Muslim becomes twisted at the end of the story. I read on with anticipation.

'And seeing the boy's tears had reminded him of the Prophet's teachings on the value of mercy...' - okay, still fitting a true Muslim.

'As to how we came to know... I have no explanation except that it was the will of Allah, and what other explanation is there for anything.' MasyaaAllaah.. yes. Please don't disappoint me in the end.

'I swear is shall make good use of these riches that Allah has blessed me with.' Subhanallaah, still on the right track! Relating the good received to Allaah's blessings. Any good we receive is by Allaah's will. And aiming to make use of the riches to do good, is also an idea mentioned in the Quran. [27:19]

'Allah rewards those He wishes to reward and chastises those He wishes to chastise.' [5:18, 5:40, 35:8, and more] MasyaaAllaah.

'you cannot avoid the ordeals that has been assigned to you. What Allah gives you, you must accept.' [10:107].

'after sixty sunrises and three hundred prayers' - he is aware that Muslims pray five times a day.

To my delight and satisfaction, the story ended with the perception of Allaah intact.

The story itself, is amazing and deep in meaning and lessons. And I am impressed at the familiarity of the language and how the words were used in the dialogues. It didn't feel out of place. I remember The Alchemist, having the same type of characters with some learning points as well - however this one, even though it's much shorter, is much more poignant and clear. And the fact that it's shorter and inspiring, makes it excellent, worthy of an award. I am not disappointed at all.

Have a read.

p.s. some sentences from the story that i like/love.
1. I had not expected a learned man to perform a conjuror's trick, but it was well done, and I applauded politely.
2. ... until he was overtaken by death, breaker of ties, destroyer of delights.
3. ... Allah guides whom he wishes to my shop, and I am contented to be an instrument of His will.
4. Coincidence and intention are two sides of a tapestry.. you may find one more agreeable to look at, but you cannot say one is true and the other is false.
5. It is said that Fate laughs at men's schemes.
6. If our lives are tales that Allah tells, then we are the audience as well as the players, and it is by living these tales that we receive our lessons.
7. Nothing erases the past. There is repentance, there is atonement and there is forgiveness. That is all, but that is enough.

*standing ovation*