Don't Judge

In the name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful

Assalamualaikum

Title: Don't Judge

I was in the train early this morning, when I witnessed a heart-wrenching incident, that almost got me kneeling down to my knees and cry my heart out loud like a baby. Here's an exact recount of what that had happened.

The train came exactly at 6.45am and I guess I was a little lucky today because I managed to get myself a seat. As usual, I would put my headphone on and listen to Yiruma's classical piano pieces with my eyes shut tight. Barely 15 minutes later, something in me told me to open my eyes and look to my right. I was hesitant at first but I eventually opened my eyes and turned to face the person who was seated at my right.

What I saw, really nearly made me screamed because I was so shocked. A bangladeshi foreign worker, who probably was in his mid 40s, had a sudden heart attack. Let's name this casualty Salam. His friend who was seated next to him(let's name him Ali), was massaging Salam's chest. By then, Salam's face had turned pale and his lips were almost blue.

Everyone's eyes in the train were on these two poor bangladeshi foreign worker. But yet, no one bothered to give them a help and all that they did was to stare at them, as though they were watching a 'free show'. I knew I had to do something. I gathered up my courage, and started a conversation with Ali.

Me: Do you need an ambulance?

Ali: Sorry, sorry, sorry.

Me: No, it's okay. Do you need an ambulance?

Ali: Sorry, sorry, sorry. No, no, no.

Despite my attempts to speak in simple English with Ali, it seemed to me that Ali was not English literate. I then scanned around the cabin in hope to look for an Indian commuter, to help me do some translation but unfortunately, not a single Indian commuter was found. And then, my eyes caught the attention of this young chinese lady who was dressed in some sports attire and I somehow had this weird feeling that she was a certified first aider. Call it crazy if you will, but I managed to communicate with her through my mind.

I focused my eyes on her and spoke to her through my mind. Come on, come on, do something lady, do something! Let's name her Ms Tan. & then finally, she voiced out:

Ms Tan: Excuse me, is your friend okay? Do you need help?

Ali: Sorry, sorry, sorry. No, no, no.

Honestly, I was already panicking and I didn't know what to do, except to give up my seat so that Ali could lay Salam's body down the seats and let Salam rest. Upon seeing me giving up my seat for Salam, the two other train commuters who was seated next to Ali too, willingly gave up their seats and we then helped to lay Salam's body down.

As Salam laid down motionless on the seats, Ali was making some phone calls on his mobile phone, but I could not fully comprehend what he was speaking about because it was in a foreign language. While Ali was making the phone call, I realised that Salam had regained his consciousness, but he looked very weak. He was crying. He had a ring on his wedding finger and he was holding on tightly to it. Salam was making some weird noises like brmmm, urmmm. It's like, he was in 'nazak' stage already.

Realising that Salam had regained his consciousness, Ali immediately put an end to his phone call and knelt down towards Salam and this was what Ali said:

Ali: "Asyhadu ala ila ha illallah was asyhadu ana muhammadarusullulah."

Salam: "Asy...asy..ha..du"

And the next thing I knew, my tears just flowed down. Who would have thought that the angel of death could be so near me at that point of time? A few moments ago, I was seated right next to Salam. And then the next thing I knew, he was already losing his consciousness. And masyaAllah, they were apparently muslims! I didn't really know what to do except to recite Surah Al Fatihah and Surah Yaasin as a 'sedekah' for Salam. I made my doa' to the Almighty to pray for Salam's well being.

I was panicking and I knew that I definitely had to do something because this is a matter between life and death. I am dealing with a life. I had to do something, I had to do something, I had to something! I looked around the cabin to look for the emergency button. I spotted one, but it was too far to be of within my reach and I had to alight at the next station; else I will be late for class. I wanted to call for an ambulance instead, but I wasn't too sure about the number. Was it 911 or  was it 995? I was in panic mode and I couldn't think straight.

I arrived at my station a few minutes later, but I was hesitant about leaving the train. Perhaps, I should just rush out of the train and run towards the driver area and knock on his cabin windows or something? I thought to myself. Just when I was about to do that, Ali and a few other guys were already carrying Salam out from his seat and they were making their way towards the exit. Then, they laid Salam down on the floor and one of the young lads who had assisted in carrying Salam out of the train, was seen making a phone call with his own mobile phone and I assumed that he was calling for the ambulance.

Phew, alhamdulilah. I thought to myself. I stood there for a minute and stared at Ali. Ali just smiled at me, and with his hands, he gestured that everything will be fine and that I could just go off. I nodded, did a final doa' and heaved a sigh of relief. One of the MRT officials saw Salam lying motionless on the platform and he immediately went over to their aid. Things were about to get better and I am pretty much sure that Salam is going to receive proper medical attention.

As I continued the rest of my journey to school, I can't help but to keep thinking about Salam's state of health. I would say that after this incident today, my perception towards bangladeshi foreign workers, had changed; entirely. Before this, I despised every single one of them because I disliked the way they look at woman. It's really eerie, creepy and disgusting. But I guess, after all that I have witnessed today, my perception towards them, have changed for the better.