My Mother — Page 12
12 is proclaimed: ‘We will surely try you with somewhat of fear and hunger, and loss of wealth and lives and fruits; then give glad tid- ings to the steadfast, who, when a misfortune overtakes them do not lose heart, but affirm, “Surely, to Allah we belong and to Him is our return. ” It is these on whom are blessings from their Lord and mercy, and it is these who are rightly guided’ (2:156-158). She was repeatedly and sorely tried, but never lost heart, was ever steadfast, and Divine grace and mercy completely justi- fied the firmness of her faith. Certain elements in this poignant human drama need to be clearly grasped. Jai Devi’s part in it was, in one sense, coincidental. It is true that in the case of both Zafar and Rafiq her personal appearance and her demand portended a threat to the security of the child, but the definite and specific challenge in the case of Rafiq, and—as will appear in the course of this narrative—all later intimations, whatever their character, were conveyed in dreams and not by Jai Devi herself in person. Her visits were not forbidden, and she called on Husain Bibi from time to time when the latter happened to be in Data Zaidka, but there was on no occasion any hint or indication of an occult char- acter from her. As regards dreams it must be remembered that no human being can contrive that he or she should become visible to peo- ple in their dreams. It was not possible for Jai Devi to appear in Husain Bibi’s dreams. But that does not resolve the mystery. The reflection of Jai Devi in her dreams was always a portent. It seems that she suffered from some kind of disorder, known among indig- enous obstetricians as athra , which causedthe death of her chil- dren at a tender age. The coincidence that Zafar suffered within a few minutes of Jai Devi’s setting eyes on him together with her