Story-13: God be Praised by Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi

God be Praised by Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi Question / Answers
"God Be Praised" is a thought-provoking short story by Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi, a renowned Pakistani writer. The story revolves around Maulvi Abul Barkat, a poor Imam of a masjid, who struggles to make ends meet and provide for his family. The narrative explores themes of poverty, class struggle, and the societal pressures faced by the middle class. Through Maulvi Abul's character, Qasmi sheds light on the difficulties of being a poor person with a large family to support. Qasmi's work is known for its realistic portrayal of life in Pakistan, and "God Be Praised" is no exception. The story offers a glimpse into the lives of those struggling to survive in a society where class divisions are stark. If you're interested in reading the full story, you can find it in various online platforms, including educational websites and literary archives. Additionally, there are study resources and question / answers available for students who are reading the story as part of their curriculum.
1	What was alias Abul’s full name?
Ans:	The full name of Maulvi Abul was Maulvi Abdul Barkat.
2.	What was his turban known as and where did it originally come from?
Ans:	The turban of Maulvi Abdul was known as Mashadi Lungi, it originally came from Mashad in Iran.
3.	What did he always carry with him?
Ans:	Maulvi Abul always carried with him a walking stick. It was a sort of scepter, decorated with brass and gilt.
4.	Describe Maulvi Abul’s appearance?
Ans:	Maulvi Abul had slightly bulging eyes. On his fingers, he used to wear five silver rings with large turquoise stones and a light brown turban on his head.
5.	How much did the Maulvi Abul collect on every Eid?
Ans:	Maulvi Abul used to collect 150 to 200 rupees, from his devotees, on every Eid.
6.	How much was distributed among the needy and the poor?
Ans:	Maulvi Abul used to distribute 40 to 50 rupees, in the presence of the worshippers, among the needy and the poor of his village.
7.	What was the name of his (Maulvi Abul) eldest daughter?
Ans:	The name of (Maulvi Abul) eldest daughter was Mehrunnisa.
8.	What was the name of the member of the District Board where the Maulvi lived? (OR) Who was Ch. Fateh Dad?
Ans:	The name of the member of District Board was Chaudhry Fateh Dad.
9.	What was the name of his (Maulvi’s) wife?
Ans:	The name of Maulvi Abul’s wife was Zaibunnisa.
10.	Write the names of other two daughters mentioned in the story?
Ans:	The names of the daughters of Maulvi Abul’s are Mehrunnisa, Zabda, Shamsun and Umdatunnisa.
11.	What was alias Abul’s full name?
Ans:	The full name of Maulvi Abul was Maulvi Abdul Barkat.
12.	What was his turban known as and where did it originally come from?
Ans:	The turban of Maulvi Abdul was known as Mashadi Lungi, it originally came from Mashad in Iran.
13.	What did he always carry with him?
Ans:	Maulvi Abul always carried with him a walking stick. It was a sort of scepter, decorated with brass and gilt.
14.	Describe Maulvi’s appearance?
Ans:	Maulvi Abul had slightly bulging eyes. On his fingers, he used to wear the silver rings with large turquoise stones and a light brown turban on his head.
15.	Describe Maulvi’s Abul Barkat’s life before marriage.
Ans:	Maulvi Abul Barkat spent a pompous but contented life before marriage.
16.	How much did the Maulvi collect on every Eid?
Ans:	Maulvi Abul used to collect 150 to 200 rupees, from his devotees on every Eid.
17.	How much was distributed among the needy and the poor?
Ans:	Maulvi Abul used to distribute 40 to 50 rupees, in the presence of the worshippers, among the needy and the poor of his village.
18.	What did the (Maulvi Abul) say to his followers on this (Eid) occasion?
Ans:	Maulvi Abul forbade his followers to pray for him as Allah Almighty had already showered upon him countless blessings of health, peace of mind and freedom from worldly cares. He doesn’t need anything more from his divine treasures. He had stunch faith that God is the Benevolent and the Sustainer.
19.	What was the name of his (Maulvi Abul) eldest daughter?
Ans:	The name of Maulvi Abul’s eldest daughter was Mehrunnisa.
20.	What were the feelings of Maulvi Abul when he saw the bare feet of his daughter?
Ans:	Maulvi Abul burst into tears like a child to see the bare feet of his daughter. He also vowed that he would never use the powdered tobacco that he loved so much, rather he would save every penny for his children.
21.	What did Maulvi Abul promise after buying the shoes for Umda?
Ans:	After buying the shoes for Umda, Maulvi Abul vowed that he would never use the powdered tobacco that he loved so much. Rather he would save every penny for his children.
22.	When did Maulvi Abul’s prayers become intense and prolonged?
Ans:	Maulvi Abul’s prayers became intense and prolonged when his eldest daughter Mehrun reached at the age of fourteen.
23.	What mistakes did Maulvi Abul make during Ramadan?
Ans:	During Ramadan, Maulvi Abul started to stray from one surah of the Holy Quran to another or repeat the same surah twice in the same part of prayer.
24.	What was the name of the member of the District Board where the Maulvi lived?
Ans:	The name of the member of District Board was Chaudhry Fateh Dad
25.	What was the cause of Maulvi Abul’s worries?
Ans:	The major cause of Maulvi Abul’s worries was his inability to find a suitable match for his eldest daughter Mehrun.
26.	What was the name of his (Maulvi’s) wife?
Ans:	The name of Maulvi Abdul’s wife was Zaibunnisa.
27.	When did Chaudhry Fateh Dad give new clothes to Maulvi Abul?
Ans:	Chaudhry Fateh Dad used to give new clothes to Maulvi Abul, once in a year after every harvest.
28.	Write the names of other two daughters mentioned in the story?
Ans:	The name of the daughters of Maulvi Abul’s are Mehrunnisa, Zabda, Shamsun and Umdatunnisa.
29.	Who was Shamim Ahmad?
Ans:	Shamim Ahmad was once the disciple of Maulvi Abul and the son of his late friend Hafiz Abdul Rahim. Later on, he married Mehrunnisa and became Maulvi Abul’s son-in-law.
30.	How did Shamim establish himself after the death of his father?
Ans:	After the death of his father, Shamim at the age of 16, went away to the city to earn bread, leaving his old  mother behind. Later, he came back to village and started a cloth shop.
31.	What was the significance of Maulvi’s inaugurating Shamim’s shop?
Ans:	Shamim Ahmad requested to Maulvi Abul to inaugurate the shop to seek his blessings. He also believed that Maulvi Abul’s purchase, in the presence of the entire village, might impress the villagers.
32.	Where did Maulvi Abul and his wife save extra money?
Ans:	Maulvi Abul and his wife saved their extra money in a tin box.
33.	How much was Maulvi Abul’s saving?
Ans:	Maulvi Abul saving was 43 rupees.
34.	Discuss the scene of the inauguration of Shamim’s shop?
Ans:	Maulvi Abul inaugurated the shop of Shamim Ahmad by reciting a few verses from the Holy Quran and then in the presence of crowd, he bought a piece of pink cloth for the dowry of his daughter Mehrun.
35.	As a first customer, what kind of cloth did Maulvi Abul choose to buy from the shop of Shamim?
Ans:	As a first customer, Maulvi Abul selected a piece of pink cloth with beautiful flower printed on it from Shamim’s shop.
36.	What did Shamim Ahmad do when Maulvi Abul asked for the piece of cloth?
Ans:	He took out a yard stick and measured seven yards and cut the cloth accordingly. Then he folded it and respectfully placed it before Maulvi Abul.
37.	What was the cost of cloth, Maulvi Abul had to pay on the inauguration of Shamim’s shop?
Ans:	At the rate of 6 rupees per yard, Maulvi Abul had to pay 42 rupees on the inauguration of Shamim’s shop.
38.	Did Shamim offer any concession to Maulvi Abul on the occasion of inauguration?
Ans:	No, Shamim did not offer any concession to Maulvi Abul on the occasion of inauguration.
39.	What did Maulvi feel on hearing the cost of the cloth?
Ans:	When Shamim told the price of the cloth, his words felt like a bombshell on Maulvi Abul. He felt as if bundle after bundle of cloth from the various shelves were falling over him.
40.	Why didn’t Shamim offer any concession to Maulvi Abul on the occasion of inauguration?
Ans:	Shamim considered the inauguration with the hands of Maulvi Abul as a good man. That is why he did not offer any concession to him.
41.	Where did Maulvi Abul used to sit in the mosque for special prayers?
Ans:	He used to sit in a room at one end of the mosque. It was a dark room and it was used for offering special prayers on solitude.
42.	Why did not Shamim’s mother come with him for his marriage proposal?
Ans:	Shamim’s mother did not come with him for his marriage proposal to Maulvi Abul’s home because she was ill.
43.	How did Shamim ask for Mehrun’s hand from Maulvi Abul?
Ans:	First Shamim was stumbling over his words and presented himself as a slave and then on Maulvi’s reassurance, he blurted out in haste that he would send his mother for his marriage proposal for Mehrun and further it would be a matter of honour for him to be Maulvi Abul’s son-in-law.
44.	What was the purpose of Shamim Ahmad’s visit to Maulvi Abul?
Ans:	Shamim Ahmad wanted to send his mother to Maulvi Abul’s home to ask for Mehrun’s hand for him.
45.	What was Abul’s response on hearing Shamim’s request for marriage?
Ans:	On hearing Shamim request for marriage, the tears of happiness fell from Maulvi’s eyes silently. He embraced Shamim Ahmed warmly with a gesture that he accepted him as his son-in-law.
46.	When did Maulvi Abul call his wife Arif’s Mother?
Ans:	Maulvi Abul called his wife ‘Arif’s Mother” in his excitement of breaking the news of Mehrun’s proposal and to console his wife after Mehrun’s departure.
47.	How did Zaibunnisa respond on hearing the news of Mehrun’s marriage proposal?
Ans:	At first, Zaibunnisa did not believe Maulvi Abul, but she began to cry when he repeated the story under oath.
48.	What was the special day? How did they want to celebrate?
Ans:	The day of Mehrun’s engagement was the special day for Maulvi Abul and his family. They celebrated it by bowing their heads to Allah Almighty.
49.	What did Chaudhry Fatehdad bring in the cotton bag for Mehrun’s wedding?
Ans:	In the cotton bag, there was a pair of golden pendants set with large and shining stones which were wrapped in a hundred note.
50.	Did the traditional pay songs of weddings were sung on Mehrun’s wedding?
Ans:	No, the gay songs generally associated with weddings were not sung because it was Maulvi Abul’s house where music of any kind was not allowed.
51.	What kind of songs were sung by the girls sitting around the bride?
Ans:	No gay kind of songs were sung. But the songs of love and friendship, flowers and fragrance, the romantic songs of the rainy season, and the exciting songs of union and the pangs of separation were sung by the village girls sitting around the shy bride.
52.	How did Shamim come to Abul’s home on the wedding day?
Ans:	Shamim came to marry Mehrun amidst fireworks and musicians playing gay tunes.
53.	How the dowry was exhibited and what was villager’s reaction?
Ans:	The dowry was exhibited in the courtyard, the entire village was stunned by what it saw. They were not impressed by the colourful dresses but with the incredible jewelry.
54.	What did the villagers believe about Abul’s financial source?
Ans:	The villagers believed that Maulvi Abul had a special amulet whose charm blessed him with the secret power to get as much money as he desired from the angels.
55.	What did the old hag remark about Mehrun’s dowry?
Ans:	A loud mouthed old had remarked that various suits, in the dowry, once belonged to a woman who had died young. The bracelets and the gold nose ring belonged to Zaibunnisa. But she was not sure of the gold pendants.
56.	Describe Abul’s state of mind at Mehrun’s departure?
Ans:	Maulvi Abul walked a few steps with the palanquin. His eyes and nose was red and looked pale as if he cried silently. But at the same time, he looked at peace.
57.	Why did Zaibunnisa burst into tears on Mehrun’s departure?
Ans:	Zaibunnisa burst into tears to imagine her house as a graveyard on Mehrun’s departure.
58.	How did Maulvi Abul console his wife after Mehrun’s departure?
Ans:	Maulvi Abul smiled and consoled his wife by diverting her attention towards their other two daughters, i.e Zabda and Shamsun.
59.	How did Maulvi Abul’s reassure himself in his belief in Allah?
Ans:	Maulvi Abul reassured himself more than his wife by saying that they need not worry. Allah Almighty is kind and benevolent and it is a sin to lose faith in him.
60.	What were Maulvi Abul’s two main sources of inspiration?
Ans:	The two main sources of inspiration of Maulvi Abul’s were his staunch faith in Allah Almight and his trust in Chadhry Fatehdad after him.
61.	What was the moral lesson of the story?
Ans:	The moral lesson of the story is there if we have strong faith on Allah, all of our problems will be solved. We should be contented to our lot, and than to Allah, in all kinds of circumstances.
62.	What is the underlying idea of the story?
Ans:	The underlying idea of the story is to have staunch faith in Allah’s benevolence and to justify the ways of God to men.

'God be Praised' by Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi—a timeless Urdu poem celebrating divine grace, gratitude, and spiritual reflection.

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