My Encounter With An Atheist -By Idris Hassan

My name is Abdul—Azeez popularly known as Zizu and I got that nickname from the popular footballer, Zidane. I want to tell you the story of myself—and of how for months I was hospitalised and couldn’t sleep. It was battle upon battles. Every night, I thought about a lot of things—and I was just 23 years old then and finished my National Youth Service 4 Months ago in the year 2021. During my youth service days, I actually worked tirelessly for the scheme and the organisation I worked under(PPA). I worked from 8am—5pm instead of the normal 8am—2pm, and I make sure I go everyday; sometimes, during the weekend.

At the organisation, I held the position of the Corps Member Liaison Officer where I worked tirelessly and effortlessly. That didn’t stopped there — I held the position of the President of my Community Development Service where I still worked for the scheme tirelessly; travelled to Kogi, Abuja, Nasarawa, Rivers, Ondo and Calabar States respectively to represent the scheme. But what did the scheme offered me if not dirges, pains, sorrows and bereavements. I loss one of my legs during an accident while coming back from Calabar for a competition for the scheme. A car overtakes another—and ended up having a face to face encounter with our vehicle. Luckily for others, no one died but sustained  little injury but one of my legs was chopped by that accident. It was like the Angel of death had visited my right leg that day—and the only thing left for me was to follow him to the lord.

A handsome Fulani boy from Katsina State suffered severely from pains in the hospital for months; only few from the scheme visited me in the hospital and when when they came even sachet water they couldn’t get for me. It was hard, rough and full of drudgeries. Sometimes, I sit and think— why all these things happened to me and why are people not grateful? From the scheme down to the organisation I worked tirelessly for. To my Muslim fellows—despite holding the position of the MCAN Amir and being a devoted Muslim, no one visited me. In fact, the Christian fellow I helped tirelessly and took as mine during that period never checked  on me.

Even when few came — they bombarded me with prayers in the hospital without even a gift or little money to take care of myself. I, however, started talking about my ordeal on Facebook and pictures of mine — and my story started getting into the minds of many ranging from Muslims to Christians, but non helped out not until I met Robert Rodriguez — an atheist who was so nice and kind. He came across my story coincidentally and decided to reach out to me. On Facebook he was “ Hello! I’m Robert Rodriguez from the United States of America and I have read about your story. I want to help out the little way I can.” 

I was so glad and happy. I remembered my parents died long time ago; it has been me alone all through my struggles. Even when I entered half—hazardly into the labour market, selling bread on the streets of Rigasa, Kaduna State; all those my uncles who promised me work and appointments never did or came through. When I called their phone numbers, they rejected or refused to pick my calls. They instead, preferred to leave me to suffer in the streets of Kaduna even when I have a B. Eng in Agricultural Engineering from the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Nigeria—alongside my NYSC certificate. I know you would be surprised on how I got my NYSC certificate — well, the scheme gave me my certificate when it was time.

I had that accident three months to rounding up my service year. I never regretted going to the  university but I regretted everyone around me. Even those who claimed to be Islamic and Christian philanthropists in my country never assisted. When I sent letters every day to the mosque and some of these men to help out, they never did. I battled so had to survive—and I suffered from severe malaria and typhoid from running up and down in the hot climate of Kaduna. Though, I left Kaduna later for Sokoto; it was still the same struggle and suffering. People will not help only preaching and prayers.

I felt so happy hearing from Mr. Rodriguez— who was ready to assist in all ramifications. I obliged to his help and we got talking gradually. He told me he was an Atheist and I should not worry about that. He knows theists have so much hated for them and portrayed them as evil people and some even see them as brothers to the devil, but that isn’t a problem, he’s just willing to help. I never worried about that, but I recall the things Mubarak Bala, an Atheist and the President of the Humanist Association of Nigeria faced from the hands of the Muslim fellows in Kano when he left Islam for Atheism. I never cared though, my whole concern was that help came when I never expected it. Rodriguez used to send me 800 dollars every month to take care of myself and this continued for one year before he made arrangements for my trip to the United States of America.

I left Nigeria for United States of America the following year and when I landed the Airport, he was already there to pick me up with his family. He took me with care in his car and we went to Northern Colorado where he lives. At his house, I was taken care of properly. In fact, he took me as his son and made sure I had a surgery done on my right leg; artificial leg was given to me and it was so sweet. I felt a life and happy. Back then in Nigeria— when Rodriguez was taking care of me and I was becoming fresh, a lot of people started saying I have started Yahoo business with my one leg. Those who insulted me where even Muslims and when they got to know it was an Atheist that has been helping out, the charlatans amongst them started raining their insults and extremisms on me.

Some of them created scene of me blackmailing the holy prophet when I never did. Before you know, it created serious uproar and mayhem. Many people were after my life; soul hunters and prophets of death were after my life and it took the grace of Allah for me to be saved and vindicated. I didn’t waste time before pressuring Rodriguez for my departure to the United States of America. Mr. Rodriguez took care of me very well and made sure that I don’t missed my daily prayers. In fact, he never forced me into Atheism or any evil act at all. In fact, his two children had the right to believe and practice any religion of their choice and It was never his concern. I got closer to his children and invited them to Islam and that was Masha Allah.

I couldn’t invite Mr. Rodriguez, but I always pray for his acceptance of Islam. Despite him being a stunch Atheist, he was a father and a mentor. He got me job in the United States of America where I was paid about 5,000 dollars every month. I worked effortlessly, and I had wanted getting married to a white woman there but my spirit wasn’t ok with it so I returned back to Nigeria and took Nusaiba. A lady I met during my university days; she had been helping out and loved me genuinely. In fact— even when I was in hospital she was all there for me. This Zamfara born lady was so exceptional and loving and if I don’t marry her who will I? 

I married Nusaiba, took her to the United States of America alongside her younger sister. I made sure I got job for her brother in the United States — and also two of my cousins. So, in all, I’m happily married with three kids. Help will come from anyone despite religious differences and when it’s your time to progress, no one can stop you or denial that.