In The Mud

Umar was excited. Friday had finally come. He had been looking forward to this particular friday because it was the first friday in the Islamic New Year. I wouldn't miss today's Juma'ah prayer for anything, he thought.

Umar had already prepared for the Juma'ah prayer. He has ironed his best kaftan which he had worn for the previous Sallah celebration. He had also polished his best pair of male footwear.

"I must look dashing this friday. It has always been said that a person should wear their best clothes for the Juma'ah prayer on friday."

The prayer was to commence by 2 PM but by 12 PM, a sermon was held before the prayer. By 11 AM, Umar took his bath, cut his nails and dressed up in his neatly pressed white kaftan. He slipped on his footwear, performed his ablution and set out for the Mosque.

Before 12 PM, Umar was already at the Mosque. He prayed the two cycles of voluntary prayer usually observed before the sermon commenced and sat down to listen to the sermon.

The Imam sat down in the front, facing the congregation. He preached about love for one's neighbours. Umar enjoyed the sermon and he got value from it. The Imam also repeated the sermon in Yoruba, Hausa and Arabic for the benefit of those who didn't understand English.

By 2 PM, the whole congregation rose to observe the prayer. The Juma'ah prayer consisted of two cycles or raka'ahs. Soon after, the prayer was completed. The Imam and the congregation made supplications. Thereafter, everyone greeted each other with "Salam(peace)" and the congregation departed.

However, Umar did not go. He stayed behind to perform the two cycles of voluntary prayer usually observed after the Juma'ah prayer had been completed. He finished the prayer, said his supplications and exited the Mosque. He put on his footwear and stepped out of the Mosque's gate with joy in his heart.

Umar was still ruminating on his day, he was thinking about how splendid his Friday had gone. He had great expectations for the remaining hours of that day and he wished to fulfill them.

He wanted to catch up with some of his friends later in the evening. They had all planned to meet at a popular suya spot and talk.

Umar took a left turn, the final one that would take him home faster than the usual route but suddenly, he slipped and fell down in a puddle of mud.

Umar's sparkly white kaftan was ruined but his mood wasn't. The joy of attending the first Juma'ah prayer of the Islamic New Year still filled his heart.