Murfin Jallo Part 1 Complete Hausa Novel

Morning Disturbance and Mother's Routine
 
The commotion of the big house woke Mother from the short sleep she had in the morning, after the morning prayer and dhikr she always performs. This habit had almost become part of her body — every day after prayer she would sit and do dhikr until the sun was well up before she would lie down and rest her eyes properly. From where she was lying she could hear the children and adults in the house getting louder; the noise from the big house had woken her at that time.
 
She finished her salat and sat up on her prayer mat, sitting for a while because of the doctors’ warning: when you stand up from sleep, don’t rush to get up immediately — at that very moment the blood running in your heart may not have settled yet and jumping up could cause you problems, they said. It is advised that you sit for a few minutes before standing up to protect your health — that was the warning Mother had heard.
 
The doctors’ advice is for both young and old, given to avoid health problems that modern life can bring. So this god-fearing woman kept to that habit and gave herself time to sit before standing. Just then someone at her bedroom door was called in and, the curtain lifted, her son’s voice called out gently, “Ashema, are you not awake, Mama?”
 
She lifted her head, looked at him, and said, “I am awake, Habu. Has the sun not risen yet? Are you planning to go out now?”
 
“It’s morning, Mama. It’s almost eight-thirty. I came to say goodbye and to tell you we’re travelling today. We may not return today or tomorrow, but at least we wanted to let you know,” he said.
 
She looked at him in surprise and said, “Habu, how many times must I tell you such things? If someone is taking a long journey like that, they should ask for prayers at home — don’t you value the small prayers we give you all the time?”
 
He sat on the chair by the side, dressed and ready, and said, “Mama, we know the value of your prayers — whatever we prepare to eat we see goodness in it because of your dua.”
 
She smiled and said, “Now tell me, Habu — are you really going today?”
 
“No, Mama. We’re going to Cameroon for a cultural meeting there. You know the nature of our work; we must go to take a report.”
 
“And what report will you take that you will spread to the community — to show the power of Allah? Habu, even Cameroon — and you’re calm about it?” she scolded. “You didn’t tell us earlier and now you’re ready to leave? Why do you men always make travel plans without informing properly?”
 
“Do you know the distance from Zaria to Cameroon?” she insisted. “Cameroon is far from here.”
 
He replied, “We’ll go by car, Mama, because of our equipment. That’s why we must leave today; we’ll pray for safety, go and return safely, insha’Allah.”
 
“Insha’Allah, may you go and return safely. May Allah bless you for the good — may He remove the evils of the journey,” she prayed, answering “Amin” happily to his request for her dua.
 
Greetings, the Visitor, and Growing Alarm
 
“Assalamu alaikum” called out a high, elderly voice carrying a bowl as she entered the big house; Alh. Talle’s household stopped at the door and the voice echoed through the house. From Mother’s room, as she was saying goodbye to her son, she heard that woman’s voice and wondered at the conversation they were having with her son.
 
She was surprised and asked, “Nakiya? This early in the morning?” People had already started spreading news about “nakiya” around the neighborhood — folks wondered what money would be asked for. In my understanding, nakiya is usually used at weddings — it’s something done for the groom.
 
Abubakar smiled and said, “Let me go, Mama — I don’t want to be late; my travel companions have been calling me for some time.”
 
His mother got up and said, “Go and greet them before you leave — I don’t want them to complain you did not greet them.” He promised he would and left the room briskly, the walk of a man conscious of time.
 
He went to greet Hajiya and exchanged words where they were — she neither praised nor criticized; she simply prayed for his journey to be safe. He left and, while trying to enter Hajiya Nana’s place, he saw people around a woman carrying something in a bowl. He approached and saw children and adults scattering, some even falling down in fear because of the screams and panic — they were all trying to find somewhere to hide in fright.
 
The screams stopped him; he stood and watched them with a stern face before turning his attention to the woman who had a smile on her face. “Is everything fine?” Boyar Allah (the woman) said. “Nakiyar Baby said she brought something for them and they scattered and left it with me.”
 
He looked at the woman in astonishment; the smile on her face made him step forward and try to look into the bowl. He blinked and then froze — inside was a huge snake, like one seen only in films. It had coiled inside the bowl filling it so that only its head was visible resting on top of its body, its eyes open and glinting. He uttered loudly, “Allahu la ilaha illa anta subhanaka inni kuntu minal zulumin,” repeating the prayer of distress.
 
He heard the woman’s voice telling him not to be afraid, that he was a man and that “sadauki” — maybe a leader — was known for bravery; men and warriors have faced worse in battles. From behind him he heard his sister’s voice calling, “Habu, please don’t go near it — there’s a snake in that bowl, please!” Hearing his name, the woman began to chant praises: “Garba — sadauki Garba — you are brave, a champion, the keeper of trust who fulfills promises even beyond life….”
 
He took two thousand naira from his pocket and handed it to the woman, kneeling and asking for her prayer and seeking Allah’s protection for his steps. He turned to return to the room but Hajiya Nana’s voice called out, “Boyar Allah, you said to hand over what God has given you and go.” As the woman continued to speak and praise bravery and courage, Mother stood up to see what was happening and, hearing the woman praying for her son Abubakar, understood and gave her two hundred naira as another gift and to receive the woman’s prayer for her entire family.
 
She took the bowl and went to show other family members; they were unwilling to come out at first, but when they heard her they came and began to tell their accounts of what they had seen in the bowl, each describing different things. Mother herself did not personally see everything, but she gave the woman a donation because she knew this woman was not an ordinary charlatan — she believed the woman’s method could bring a way to solve matters. So the woman took the bowl and left to find the rest of the family who were reluctant to come out, but when they did they began to exchange what they had witnessed in the bowl, the talk raising their spirits and astonishment.
 
The Snake’s Revelation, Prayers, and a Gift
 
The woman’s talk about the “nakiyar” kept people from focusing on Habu’s departure — his journey might be delayed until Allah decides otherwise. The woman, who roamed carrying the snake in the bowl, would say, “Here is Nakiyar Baby.” If she happened to know the name of anyone in any house she would mention it: “This is the nakiyar for so-and-so,” and this news caused such surprise that even his mother came out with him to the door and stood hoping for mercy and protection for her son.
 
From the doorway she asked, “Habu, where are you going? Since this morning he came to greet us — my mind is still on that dark woman who alarmed us earlier.” From the door the family answered “Cameroon” at the same time as others around them repeating “Cameroon?” Some people invoked prayers and protection while others gossiped, talking about things new to their usual household life — in such community living, no matter what you do someone will say you did something wrong.
 
He stepped out of the house checking his wristwatch — he knew he was late but had to wait for where his colleagues would meet him for work. As he walked away he noticed the woman lowering the bowl with her snake and smiling again at him; he quickly averted his gaze and left.
 
“Habu, be careful — don’t linger here. Even when you enter the mosque, be quick with your prayers and pay attention to your supplications; you are with Allah’s protection but there are many envious people around you,” his mother warned. “Thank you, Mama,” he said, trying to pass by, and heard her call again, “Be careful so you may find goodness and success where you go.”
 
The woman liked him and liked him in her heart, so he dug into his pocket again, taking out one thousand naira and handed it to her. She smiled and said, “What you gave together with your mother’s is appreciated, thank you, Sultan,” — she used a flattering title. “I want to speak with your mother; your household is one I have told something to before. But it’s okay if she wants to come and sit where Hajiya Indo sits; I have stopped here.”
 
“May Allah protect and preserve you,” he said and answered “Amin” as he put down another thousand naira on top of the bowl. He left thinking the woman’s talk was just flattery to fool him — he knew people today were deceitful.