Water Instead of Blood

and what I did afterward was wrong too.” The man grew angrier, but instead of replying to his provoking words with more provocation, Afzal said, “Please forgive me.” The man retorted that it was easy to do something wrong to someone and then say, “forgive me.” Mr Afzal replied, “Brother, I am not asking for a formal forgiveness; I ask for it from my heart. Now please allow me to wash your foot.” When Afzal offered to wash his foot, the man softened a little, and after some more words, he finally agreed to let Afzal wash his foot. There was a tea shop nearby; Afzal went straight there and said, “Uncle, give me a glass of water.” When he brought the glass, the man had cooled down completely and said, “Give it to me; I will wash it myself.” The man took the glass in his hand and washed it. One glass wasn’t enough to make him completely clean, so Afzal ran and brought another, continuing this process until the man’s foot was thoroughly clean. This incident happened outside the railway station. During the conversation, Afzal told the man, “Brother, if you were a M (Muslim), or even if you were a NM (Non-Muslim), I would have to do the same because Islam commands us to do so.” Hearing this, the man embraced Afzal and said, “Brother, I am a nonMuslim, and this is the first time in my life I have met a Muslim like you. If other Muslims were like you, all quarrels would end.” Now the man was completely changed. Earlier, he had been burning with anger and a thirst for revenge, but now, feeling ashamed, he said to Afzal, “Brother, please forgive me. I caused you great trouble. Because of me, you had