Princess Maymounah - Chapter 1 - The Rose Bush

 Princess Maymounah - Chapter 1 - The Rose Bush

Her name was Maymounah. She was the eldest daughter of King Hasan. Princess-to-be of the Clear Kingdom, now known as the ‘White Kingdom’, ages before Princess Wardah. From a tender age, she opposed injustice and ensured that good was enjoined and evil was forbidden. She was caring, compassionate, and knowledgeable.

“Stop! Who’s there?” commanded Maymounah, holding the lantern out to see a person in a cloak. “I’m the traveller,” said the person with a soft tone. “Do you have a letter with you?” asked Maymounah, examining the traveller. “Not that I know of. Is this a letter?” asked the traveller, bringing out a royal envelope from her sac. “Yes, that was the letter that was delivered to the Clear Kingdom this afternoon, but the wind blew it away,” said Maymounah. “Oh, I thought it was a map. I was going to open it when I found a place to spend the night. Here,” said the traveller, giving Maymounah the letter.

“What do you want?” asked Maymounah, holding the lantern closer to the traveller. “I need shelter. I will leave after tomorrow, In Sha Allah,” said the traveller, tucking herself in her cloak because of the chilly wind. “Why should I trust you?” demanded Maymounah. “I am a sincere servant of Allah, and I come to you in peace. I am a traveller with no intention of harm,” said the traveller, with sincerity in her voice. It had already started raining outside. The rooves of the buildings were providing them shelter.

“Follow me. My twin brother is nearby. I will ask him to take us to the palace,” said Maymounah, handing the lantern to the traveller. Before the traveller could say anything, they heard footsteps approaching them. “Shh! I hear someone!” said the traveller. A tense silence.

“Maymounah! Did you find the letter yet?” asked her twin brother, Mas’ud. Maymounah lets out a sigh of relief. “Yes, Alhamdulillah, I found it. I also found a traveller seeking shelter,” said Maymounah. “Quick! Take this umbrella! It’s going to rain heavily soon! Get in the carriage with your traveller friend!” instructed Mas’ud.

The sun was setting, and the sky was filled with dark clouds of rain. It was cold outside. Maymounah and the traveller reached the carriage. Mas’ud was behind them, ensuring their safety.

Earlier this afternoon, a messenger came from Blooming Hadeeqah with a royal letter. Mas’ud was outside the palace, waiting for the messenger. The messenger arrived and was handing out the letter until the wind blew it away. Mas’ud followed the letter till it led him to a flower shop, ‘Fleurettes’, owned by Maymounah’s friend, Zahra. It was quite far from the palace. He went back to the palace to bring Maymounah with him. “Ask your friend if she saw the letter,” instructed Mas’ud.

“No, Maymounah, I don’t have it with me,” said Zahra. “Tell me anything you remember about a light pink letter with flower patterns,” said Maymounah. “Oh! I noticed an envelope just like that on the floor!” said Zahra, recalling. “Where is it now?” asked Maymounah, looking around. “I recall a girl wearing a cloak whom I haven’t seen before picking it up. She must be a traveller. Oh! She just left; she must be nearby!” said Zahra. “I shall look for her. Jazakillahu Khairan!” said Maymounah.

“Wait! Take this lantern with you, just in case. I see the dark clouds forming in the sky. Don’t stay outside too long though,” said Zahra. “I shall try my best to get home before Maghrib, In Sha Allah,” said Maymounah. “I ask Allah (SWT) to protect you and get you home safely – Ameen!” said Zahra. “Ameen,” said Maymounah, leaving.

Maymounah heard footsteps coming from the narrow passage between the flower shop and Zahra’s house. Everyone was home with their families. The shops were closed for the day, because of the rain. It would be unusual to hear footsteps at a time like this. She gazed at the sky and saw the dark clouds; the cool breeze caused her to tuck her hands under her Hijab. She walked towards the footsteps.

Mas’ud was farther, looking for an umbrella shop. Meanwhile, Maymounah found the traveller. She couldn’t hear the trickling of the rain because she was so focused on the sounds of footsteps.

They reach the palace. “Why are we here, in the Clear Palace?” asked the traveller. “It’s where I live. I’m princess Maymounah. My twin brother, Mas’ud, is over there. I’m older than him by 5 minutes!” said Maymounah, opening the carriage door. “I have seen many twins, but never royals. No royal has ever let me in, until you,” said the traveller. “Come quick! It’s raining very heavily!” said Mas’ud, giving Maymounah a clear umbrella. “Come on, and don’t get wet, okay?” said Maymounah, holding her hand out for the traveller. The traveller followed silently.

Princess Maymounah swiftly made a room ready for the traveller and called her in. “This is where you’ll be staying, In Sha Allah. Have a warm bath, it’s cold outside,” said Maymounah, leaving.

Mas’ud was waiting for her in the corridor. “I delivered the letter to father. You tell him in detail about the traveller. I’m going to pray Maghrib. You better too, it’s getting dark,” said Mas’ud. “Alright, Mas’ud. I shall pray Maghrib after I tell father and mother about the traveller,” said Maymounah. “Get to know where she’s from, her real name, and why she’s travelling,” said Mas’ud. “I shall. Rest now brother, it’s been a long night,” said Maymounah. “Yes, it’s been a long evening,” said Mas’ud on his way to pray Maghrib.

Maymounah goes to see her parents. The great living room. A clear room covered with elegant curtains. A shimmering chandelier in the middle, and a ruby carpet. “Mas’ud found the letter, and Alhamdulillah, it’s not wet,” said King Hasan. “Yes, it was with a traveller. She thought there was a map inside. She needed shelter, so I brought her here to stay,” said Maymounah. “Where is she from?” asked the Queen. “I haven’t asked her yet,” said Maymounah. “You better! The name, age, nationality, and place of residence of any person is the basic details that you must know!” said the queen. “I shall ask her, mother,”

“What was the letter about?” asked Maymounah, glancing at the royal letter her father was holding. “King Waraq wants to grow clear roses in his castle garden. He is sending some of his gardeners to our garden so that they learn how to grow them,” said King Hasan. “Is there anything we can do to help?” asked Maymounah. “Yes! Someone needs to inform those who are well-acquainted with the gardens that they shall teach the Bloomers how to grow and take care of clear roses,” said the queen. “Mas’ud and I will handle it, In Sha Allah,” said Maymounah. “Yes, but tomorrow morning, okay?” instructed King Hasan. “Yes, father,” said Maymounah.

Before going to sleep, Maymounah checks on the traveller. She knocks on her door, and the traveller lets her in. “I hope you’re comfortable,” said Maymounah, observing the room. “The furniture is fine and elegant, Ma Sha Allah. I am comfortable, but life is not all about comfort,” said the traveller. “Wise. What’s your name?” asked Maymounah. “I haven’t decided yet,” said the traveller. The traveller explains that she has made a name for herself every time she travels to a new place. “I travel for knowledge, not fame and not power,” said the traveller. “You’re full of wisdom, Ma Sha Allah! Where are you from?” asked Maymounah. “I’m from water,” said the traveller, without hesitation. “We all are. What brings you here, in the Clear Kingdom?” asked Maymounah. “The winds have brought me here, bi ‘idzhnillah,” said the traveller. Maymounah understood that the traveller doesn’t want to reveal much about herself. “Well then, I am Maymounah, and I’m from the Clear Kingdom,” said Maymounah. “That’s obvious,” said the traveller. “I’m sixteen years old, and I am homeschooled,” said Maymounah. “I advise you to travel, there’s so much to learn outside of the home,” said the traveller. “I will leave you to rest, and I will consider your advice. I shall pray ‘Isha with my family now,” said Maymounah, leaving. “Good night, O’ seeker of knowledge, but seek the right kind of knowledge with the right intention,” said the traveller. “Good night, O’ traveller. I shall, In Sha Allah,” said Maymounah, exiting.

Mas’ud was waiting for Maymounah further in the corridor. “Where’s the traveller from?” asked Mas’ud. “She’s from water. She refuses to elaborate further,” said Maymounah. “I understand. Did she say anything important?” asked Mas’ud. “She mentioned two things that I found wise: ‘I advise you to travel, as there is so much to learn outside home’, and ‘Seek the right kind of knowledge with the right intention.’” said Maymounah. “That’s wise. She must have travelled a lot then,” said Mas’ud. “Yes, she must have,” agreed Maymounah. “Let’s pray ‘Isha now,” said Mas’ud. Maymounah agreed. They all prayed ‘Isha together. The traveller prayed in her room. After ‘Isha they all rest for the night. A great mystery was awaiting them the next day.

Mas’ud woke Maymounah up for Fajr by knocking strong continuously on her door, and announcing, “Wake up! It’s time for Fajr prayer!” Every day, Maymounah has a similar response, “I’m awake! I was about to go wake YOU up!” said Maymounah, poking her head out of the door, quite annoyed. “The sun will rise soon, get out after making wudhu! Don’t go back to sleep!” said Mas’ud, lighting hitting her on the head.

Maymounah calls the traveller for Fajr, “Let’s pray Fajr together?” The traveller thinks about it for a few seconds. “Sure,” agreed the traveller.

After Fajr, Maymounah asks the traveller if she wanted to explore the palace. “I’d love to,” said the traveller. “Alright! Let’s start with the dining halls! It’s time for breakfast!” announced Maymounah.

The Clear Palace was… well, clear. They covered the palace from the inside with large pink curtains with gold embroidery and circle mirrors. The floor is made of wood. Not everything can be clear. The traveller noticed there were no windows, then later realized that they didn’t need them because all the walls were windows. “Why is the entire palace clear?” asked the traveller. “Every kingdom in the Cluster of Things has a theme. Ours is glass, clarity, honesty, and purity,” explained Maymounah. “That’s interesting,” said the traveller, thoughtfully.

They reach the dining halls. The traveller notices the huge curtain in the middle of the massive hall. “More oversized curtains…” thought the traveller. “That curtain over there, we call it the Great Sitarah. It separates the men’s and women's dining halls,” said Maymounah. “To avoid free-mixing in every gathering,” understood the traveller. “We’ll be eating in the women’s dining hall, In Sha Allah,” said Maymounah.

The dining halls were enormous! They were lit up by the clear chandeliers. The furniture, tablecloth, and walls were all clear! The traveller travelled to many lands, but she never saw anything like the Clear Palace before. For breakfast, the queen prepared… *add food later*

Maymounah showed the traveller the rest of the palace. The area where the Clears reside. Yes, the people of the Clear Kingdom live inside the palace. Some of the Clears prefer living near their shops, like Zahra and her family. Nevertheless, the royal family includes everyone in every decision they have to make and every event that takes place.

When the traveller learned that the royal family does the work around the house themselves without servants, includes the entire kingdom in making decisions and events, and follows the guidance of the Quran and the Sunnah to their best, she spoke subtly about where she came from. She made sure not to let out too many details. “I know of a place, where the royals there work their citizens to death. They starve them, and strip them of their wealth and belongings,” said the traveller, with a broken voice. “That’s horrible!” exclaimed Maymounah. “Then came a saviour, the Masked Man, who eradicated the concept of slavery, enlightened the people, and showed them the light. Later, the people found out that the Masked man did all this good only to secure the throne. He disobeyed the lessons they taught the people and sat on the throne. All he ever wanted was fame and power. That led to his downfall. The people reclaimed their throne, and banished the Masked Man,” narrated the traveller. “His intention was not to spread knowledge for the cause of Allah! It was for power and fame!” understood Maymounah.

“That’s what I meant by, ‘Seek the right kind of knowledge with the right intention.’ Do whatever you do for the cause of Allah, and nothing else!” said the traveller. “There are consequences for doing acts of worship for others than Allah,” said Maymounah. “Yes! You know of the hadith of the rich generous man, the martyr, and the scholar?” asked the traveller. “I have heard of it,” said Maymounah. “The one that applies to us, the seekers of knowledge, we must pay great attention to that! According to this Hadith, ‘a man who acquired knowledge and taught others, and read Qur'an. He will be brought, and Allah will remind him of His blessings, and he will acknowledge them. He will say: What did you do with them? He will say: I acquired knowledge and taught others and read the Qur'an for Your sake. He will say: You are lying. You acquired knowledge so that it would be said that you were a scholar; and you read Qur'an so that it would be said that you were a reciter, and it was said. Then He will order that he be dragged on his face and thrown into the Fire.[1]’” said the traveller.

“Be very conscious of why you do what you do and do everything you do for the cause of Allah!” advised the traveller.

Upon hearing the narration of the Masked Man, and the advice of having the right intention, Maymounah’s ambition arises. “I will be a just leader for my people and ensure that good is enjoined and evil is forbidden! For the cause of Allah! In Sha Allah!” said Maymounah. “I ask Allah to protect you and grant you success in this world and the hereafter – Ameen,” said the traveller. “Ameen!” said a determined Maymounah.

The traveller is amazed by the Clear Kingdom’s beauty. They go to explore the outdoors next. Outside is the palace garden, full of clear plants and clear flowers native to the Clear Kingdom. The palace garden is most famous for its Clear Roses. Maymounah was showing the traveller the Silver Butterflies fluttering around the Buttercups. “Subhan Allah,” said the traveller, at the glorious view. Maymounah told the traveller about how the Clear Roses were so famous that even King Waraq wanted some of them in his majestic garden! “I’d love to see some,” requested the traveller. She took the traveller in front of the main garden gate where all the rose bushes were planted. From a distance, it seemed like bushes with glass roses with water flowing inside. The gardeners were working on the first few rose bushes. The traveller was amazed to see that it was just as soft as a red or pink rose.

“Hold on, something’s not right,” said Maymounah, suddenly. “Is something the matter?” asked the traveller. Maymounah was focused on finding out something, so she walked further toward the centre of the rose bush arc. The traveller followed her. “Subhan Allah! I have never seen such a thing before!” exclaimed Maymounah. “A White Rose bush, Subhan Allah!” exclaimed the traveller. “Such flowers have never been grown before in any of the kingdoms here!” said Maymounah. “That’s mysterious,” said the traveller. Maymounah told her family about it. Her father told her not to worry and be happy that new flower species were growing in the palace garden. Maymounah was relieved. Mas’ud knew not to worry, what could a little white rose bush do anyway? Little did they know that this one white rose bush indicated a great upcoming challenge and change.

[1] Sunan an-Nasa'i 3137