Unlawful life

Yesterday early in the afternoon I decided to visit a relative confined in hospital. Using a shared taxi I had to wait some time for the car to be filled. The weather was hot, actually hottest part of the day in hottest days of the year. This kind of taxi is commuting in a controlled route with a certain fare labeled on the top corner of front glass. A young man seemingly to be in hurry told the driver that he pays for two persons. So, the driver, a tall bearded dark man around 45 with green eyes who was standing in a distanced shadow did not have to wait any longer. He came and we, I mean me sitting in front and the young man who is to pay for two and a woman at her late 30s began a journey which I never ever thought to be like what I will be telling you in coming words.

On the way the young man at the back wanted to get off and asked for how much he should pay. The driver told him a price which was more than what was stated on the label that was hidden behind the front shade. I asked the driver why he charges more than the usual price. He said in a law voice, "It is al right".

I said, "I do not get you"

Driver: "It is the rate".

I: "But it is stated in the label (I was saying this while lifting up the shade) something less".

Driver: "you can call 1888 and complain".

I: "Why should I complain (I had the experience that would lead me to no where)? From the beginning I won't pay in excess".

Driver: "Do it if you want to eat "Haram".

This I should explain to my non-Muslim readers that Haram is a religious expression used to denote any thing which is forbidden for a Muslim to do. Like eating Pork, drinking wine, accepting bank interest, unlawful earning and etc.

I: "Why do you bring this issue to a religious concept? The label says you are charging more than approved rate".

Driver: the approval is out of date.

I: "This is printed in current year".

Driver: "We drivers have objection against it".

I: "So, your objection is not met yet and you raised your rate and you say you are not doing Haram but if I pay you with the approved rate I am dong Haram? I damn this Ideology you believe in".

Driver: "You do not need to pay".

I: "I pay what I should pay which is your approved fee".

At this time he was already shouting that the taxi administration officers have personal grudge with their representative and that is why their tariff did not increase for the current year. He was cursing the taxi organization forcing him to argue with passengers while he is fasting and suddenly started to slap himself to his face. I was really shocked. I told him, "I am just reminding you regulations and you beat yourself". But by this he pressed the pedal brake dangerously in a way that the head of lady at my rear came almost close to my ear. While looking at me angrily I felt I am sitting next to a beast. He looked fearful. Green eyes with a very dark skin covered with perspiration and smoke from cars' exhaustions. He said, "You insulted the Imams and Koran"! What he said added to his power terrifying me, because he now had the state's power at his back. I said in a calm voice, "Did I"? He said, "Yes, you insulted the Koran". I said, "No, I did not insult the Koran, I only said I damn what you believe in". Then he again started to beat himself but this time he was punching to his face and head.

By now his voice and its tone were changed. He was almost crying. He was repeating that the situation is getting harder and harder. I was chocked with tears. I told him that I only was trying to do my duty as a citizen. I brought his head closed to me and kissed his cheek. He also kissed my face and for a moment we kept silent. I was already closed to my destination and paid him a little more than the official rate. He did not want to accept. He said, I did not want to get from you more from the beginning but since you spoke loudly I feared the other passengers would notice.

I said good bye to him and asked him to control himself in similar situations to come. He responded in a very polite positive answer, "Chashm".