Photos:
Deeply Changed
(By One of The Personnel)
As far as I can remember I has always been too proud and unrestrained. From the day I became a service man disobeying the commands had become part of my life. So much so that after 20 years of service, I had only got one single promotion and in a word I was a good for nothing person without any scruple or principle. After martyr Babaee was appointed Isfahan Air Base commander one afternoon I was going home dead drunk and staggering. I was near the military quarters. I noticed colonl Babaee and his bodyguards are approaching me. First I didn't care. In a moment I thought if they found out I was drunk I would get a heavy punishment, but as usual I told myself I wouldn't give a damn. I had even prepared myself to retort to his possible remarks.
Musa Sadeghi, his guard said, "Say mister, how are you?" I answered, "Thanks, fine." Them colonel Babaee said, "How do you do?" And continued greeting and talking with me. I gave brief answers and tried to get away from the scene, but they kept talking and talking. Then martyr Babaee bid a warm farewell to me and contrary to what I expected didn't make the slightest hint to my condition. His farewell was so warm as if he had been my closest friend. I had a strange feeling. That night I could not sleep even for a moment. Of course not for the fear of punishment, but I was wondering why, though col. Babaee deeply sensitive to Islamic principles and being the base commander, didn't touch on my abnormal condition, and more than that treated me kindly.
The next morning I went to Mr. Musa Sadeghi and because of my insistence he took me to col. Babaee's office. On my entering he stood up and bid me welcome. I said, "I am here to apologize to colonel."
He asked, "What for?" I answered, "Yesterday I was drunk, you saw me in that condition but you turned a blind eye to it. I am embarrassed and I don't know what to say in your presence." He interrupted me and said, "My dear brother, it is not necessary to say anything. I don't want you to talk about your bad deeds. When you have committed a sin and you tell others about it, you are committing a greater sin you know? What ever you have done, you are responsible in the presence of Allah. I am not but an ordinary person and you should not confess to me. If in fact you feel penitent for what you have done in the past try to correct yourself." When he talked so kindly and gracefully, I found myself even inferior to an ant in his presence. I felt so miserable that I could not utter even a single word. He shook hands with me, biding farewell, he said, "May God protect you." When I left his office, I felt I had been born again. That brief meeting had a great effect on me.
There after, I pledged not to drink alcoholic beverages and observe my Islamic obligations.
Now, after eleven years, I owe my peaceful happy life to that short meeting.
As far as I can remember I has always been too proud and unrestrained. From the day I became a service man disobeying the commands had become part of my life. So much so that after 20 years of service, I had only got one single promotion and in a word I was a good for nothing person without any scruple or principle. After martyr Babaee was appointed Isfahan Air Base commander one afternoon I was going home dead drunk and staggering. I was near the military quarters. I noticed colonl Babaee and his bodyguards are approaching me. First I didn't care. In a moment I thought if they found out I was drunk I would get a heavy punishment, but as usual I told myself I wouldn't give a damn. I had even prepared myself to retort to his possible remarks.
Musa Sadeghi, his guard said, "Say mister, how are you?" I answered, "Thanks, fine." Them colonel Babaee said, "How do you do?" And continued greeting and talking with me. I gave brief answers and tried to get away from the scene, but they kept talking and talking. Then martyr Babaee bid a warm farewell to me and contrary to what I expected didn't make the slightest hint to my condition. His farewell was so warm as if he had been my closest friend. I had a strange feeling. That night I could not sleep even for a moment. Of course not for the fear of punishment, but I was wondering why, though col. Babaee deeply sensitive to Islamic principles and being the base commander, didn't touch on my abnormal condition, and more than that treated me kindly.
The next morning I went to Mr. Musa Sadeghi and because of my insistence he took me to col. Babaee's office. On my entering he stood up and bid me welcome. I said, "I am here to apologize to colonel."
He asked, "What for?" I answered, "Yesterday I was drunk, you saw me in that condition but you turned a blind eye to it. I am embarrassed and I don't know what to say in your presence." He interrupted me and said, "My dear brother, it is not necessary to say anything. I don't want you to talk about your bad deeds. When you have committed a sin and you tell others about it, you are committing a greater sin you know? What ever you have done, you are responsible in the presence of Allah. I am not but an ordinary person and you should not confess to me. If in fact you feel penitent for what you have done in the past try to correct yourself." When he talked so kindly and gracefully, I found myself even inferior to an ant in his presence. I felt so miserable that I could not utter even a single word. He shook hands with me, biding farewell, he said, "May God protect you." When I left his office, I felt I had been born again. That brief meeting had a great effect on me.
There after, I pledged not to drink alcoholic beverages and observe my Islamic obligations.
Now, after eleven years, I owe my peaceful happy life to that short meeting.
