House of Gods (2024) s01e05 Episode Script

(UPTEMPO OUD MUSIC)
Salam alaykum.
Alaykum as-salam.
Hajj is not only a mental
but a physical challenge.
The heat, the travel.
Hajj pilgrimage
is not a holiday.
It's the journey of a lifetime.
We set our Niyyah correctly
and surrender ourselves
to Allah,
the most gracious,
the most merciful.
We circle the Ka'ba.
Seven circles are called
When we reach the Black Stone,
we raise our right hand
and say
We circle to remind ourselves
that we are all connected.
Yeah, yeah, I like that one.
That's one of my favourites,
colour-wise.
I reckon it looks like
a flannel flower up close a bit.
Don't you reckon?
You know what
a flannel flower is?
Yeah. What are you trying to?
(LAUGHS) How do you
know what a
(SAMIR CLEARS THROAT)
So secretive now, hm?
I hope you are not becoming
as nimble with the truth
as the rest of your family.
Uncle Samir imagines I'm
some sort of pure moral being.
- I disappoint him.
- You wouldn't disappoint anyone.
Are you ordering?
You do a snack pack, Aamu?
No.
"Snack pack".
You should go back to bed, Aamu.
No love in your heart today.
(PEOPLE SPEAK ARABIC)
Thank you for taking on
this responsibility
while I am on Hajj.
The burden of leadership
is heavy.
- I feel refreshed and ready.
- Mm.
Should you need help,
my son and daughter
will be by your side 24/7.
May Allah accept
your pilgrimage.
(INDISTINCT CONVERSATION)
I'll write. I'll call.
FaceTime. FaceTime.
(INDISTINCT CONVERSATION)
- (LAUGHS)
- WOMAN: Look after yourself.
You should be happy with him.
(LAUGHS)
(GENTLE PIANO MUSIC)
- Oh!
- WOMAN: Oh, Mama.
Oh. (WEEPS)
WOMAN: Love you, Mama.
- (LAUGHS)
- Mmm!
- I love you.
- (SPEAKS ARABIC)
Anything wrong, sister?
Before your election,
I felt so far from God.
Now look at me.
You've given me a way back.
God bless you.
(MEN SPEAK INAUDIBLY)
(MAN SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY)
O believers,
fear Allah almighty
by obeying his commands
and you will win
the great victory
and be successful in this world
and the hereafter.
You will find I speak plainly.
Too plainly for some.
I am a simple man.
I am not golden-tongued
like Sheikh Mohammad.
But never forget,
Satan, he was
a fine speaker too.
What do you see
..but a football?
You may ask, "What harm
is there in a football?"
Well, I will tell you.
There is nothing holy
about boys chasing after
a piece of leather
(MEN CHUCKLE)
SHEIKH SHAAKER:
..when boys should be studying.
(WORSHIPPERS MURMUR
INDISTINCTLY)
SHEIKH SHAAKER:
This is the holy time of Hajj.
We must live our lives
in quiet contemplation
and prayer
and not
..idle games.
So, from today on
..no football.
(WORSHIPPERS GASP AND MURMUR)
No games of any kind.
(WORSHIPPERS MURMUR)
No music.
(WORSHIPPERS MURMUR)
No entertainment.
The Holy Quran
is entertainment enough.
Salam alaykum.
WOMAN OVER VIDEO CALL:
Alaykum as-salam. Hello, Batul.
Hello, Yasmine.
(BATUL SPEAKS ARABIC)
(CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY)
(LOUD BANGING, SHOUTING
OVER VIDEO CALL)
(BILAL SPEAKS ARABIC)
(VIDEO CALL ENDS)
(SOFTLY) Ya Allah.
ISA: I, uh, promised
my father I'd check in
and see how you're settling in,
Your Holiness.
Consider your promise fulfilled.
Oh, and tell your sister
Abu Hany will be acting
as my vice-president
and will be using her desk.
I will.
Sheikhna,
we need your blessing.
Um (CLEARS THROAT)
There's a musician in town,
Jasim Al-helou.
World-renowned.
He plays traditional songs.
Very respectful.
No music during Hajj.
He's flown all the way from Iraq
to perform a series
of special concerts.
Well, then he, like us all,
will need to
satisfy himself instead
with quiet contemplation.
(SPEAKS ARABIC)
(LOW, MOODY MUSIC)
(PHONE BUZZES)
Bilal? (SPEAKS ARABIC)
(BILAL SPEAKS ARABIC)
MAN: Do you need me
for anything?
SHEIKH SHAAKER: No, habibi.
(BOTH SPEAK ARABIC)
(MUFFLED POP MUSIC PLAYS)
- I can't hear you.
- (SEWING MACHINE CLATTERS)
NADIR OVER PHONE:
Like, stop sewing, then.
Thank you.
You wanna take me out?
Yes, that's what
we're talking about.
Don't tell me.
Car park at Chicken Brothers?
Nah, I was thinking
the botanical gardens.
You know, native flowers.
They might inspire you.
That's fine, Manal.
I will see you. 'Bye!
(MUSIC STOPS)
Sheikh Shaaker
doesn't rule here.
What's your problem?!
(POP MUSIC CONTINUES)
(VEHICLE APPROACHES)
Oi!
Is it Dad?
- Let's talk in the car. Come on.
- Not this bullshit again.
Militia came into my apartment
today in Baghdad!
How's Bilal?
You're gonna tell me
what you have done right now.
Right now. (SPEAKS ARABIC)
Why can't you just accept
that Dad doesn't trust you
as his adviser anymore?
(BANGS OIL DRUM) You're lying.
Batul, I've gotta work, so
Men with guns came to my house
today and they mentioned you.
Militia in my apartment, Isa!
(ISA BREATHES SHARPLY)
Mosque takings are lower,
but we've never been busier.
You tell Baba not
to spend on the school,
not to spend on the soccer team,
even though we should
be able to to afford it.
You send money God knows where
and a man put a gun
to my husband's head!
I swear to God nothing was gonna
happen. It's just a scare.
Who is scaring, Bilal? Who?
I've had a beef
with this dodgy guy,
part the charity
I told you about.
They sound like his bodyguards.
The orphanage?
- Yeah.
- I called them.
The address has been abandoned
more than a year.
So, which dodgy guy?
How long have we been giving
these donations?
ISA: What are you doing?
- Batul, what are you doing?
- (SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY)
You're gonna break Dad's
pilgrimage over this?
Batul, just Batul, give
Batul, please. Please, please.
Please. Please. Please, please!
(ISA SPEAKS ARABIC)
Listen to me.
What?
(STAMMERS)
The apartment's collateral.
Seyyed Modhaffar.
- The man with the votes?
- He'd never hurt Bilal.
OK? I promise you.
He'd never hurt Bilal.
You remember on election night?
Dad was gonna throw it all away.
You wanted him to win
as much as I did.
Batul.
(PANTS)
(GRIM MUSIC)
SHEIKH SHAAKER: Look, Yusef.
Look, look, look, look, look,
look, look, look, look. Oh!
(LAUGHS)
You put that one.
(INTRIGUING PIANO MUSIC)
(INSECTS CHIRP)
(GASPS, PANTS)
(COUGHS)
(SOLEMN PIANO MUSIC)
(BOTH WEEP)
(SOLEMN MUSIC)
It is by Allah's mercy
that you are gentle to them.
And had you been harsh
and hard-hearted,
surely they would have scattered
from around you.
So, excuse them
..and plead for forgiveness
for them
..and consult them
in their affairs.
And once you are resolved
..put your trust in Allah.
Indeed, Allah loves those
who trust in him.
I intended this passage
to be for you,
my community.
Now I think perhaps
Allah the Wise and the Merciful
intended it for me.
I admit I wish I was on Hajj.
Maybe that has made me
hard-hearted.
But Mecca is not just a place.
Mecca is your family.
Mecca is your heart.
(GENTLE PIANO MUSIC)
Thank you, Sheikhna.
(SPEAKS ARABIC)
(BOTH SPEAK ARABIC)
(BOTH SPEAK ARABIC)
Sheikh, if I closed my eyes,
I would have thought
that was my father preaching.
Sheikh, um,
remember Jasim Al-helou?
We spoke about him.
The musician.
He hasn't performed,
as you ruled,
but I was hoping,
in light of your moving sermon,
that respectfully I ask
Tell him he can play
at his concerts.
Yeah?
Hajj time is a time
for us to share love
and there is love
in traditional song.
Thank you, Sheikhna.
Perhaps you and your dear wife
could join us.
(CHUCKLES)
(ISA SPEAKS ARABIC)
Thank you.
Batul, let me give you a lift.
(WORKERS CALL OUT NEARBY)
ISA: Cuz, I need you
to do us a solid.
Remember Alan?
He's given me a couple
of tickets to the footy today.
Private box.
It's VIP seats or some shit.
NADIR: Yeah, who's playing?
ISA: Dogs and Rabbitohs,
but I'm not up for it.
I've got some shit
I've got to take care of.
- Can you go?
- What, tonight?
- This arvo.
- Nah, cuz, I can't. Sorry.
What do you mean?
He's an important client.
It'll look bad
if you don't fly the flag.
I've asked your sister
on a date.
Cuz, are you serious?
Would I come to you like this
if I wasn't?
Relax. Nothing's happened.
I really like her, man.
I'm asking for your blessing.
I respect that, but
..my dad's away on Hajj.
Timing's a little off, yeah?
Is this 'cause of
what I've done?
You know I'm done with that.
That life's behind me now, cuz.
- I don't even know why you
- It's not that.
Don't talk like that, alright?
It'll happen. Just not now.
Go to the footy. Have fun!
Yeah?
(SOMBRE PIANO MUSIC)
(SOMBRE MUSIC CONTINUES)
(BIRDS SING)
BATUL: How much do you pay?
30 grand a month.
- How?
- The truck wash.
Don't get involved, Batul.
This is my sin.
You draw 30K a month
from your business?
Where does the rest come from?
You've been taking money
from the mosque.
I'll replace every dollar.
I swear to God.
I swear on Mum's life.
You have taken Allah's money!
- I had no other choice.
- Yes, you do have a choice.
Sell your truck wash.
I've worked 10 years
to get here.
What you've done is illegal.
Baba could go to jail.
You want me to keep quiet
..you sell your truck wash.
There's no negotiation.
(PHONE BUZZES)
(PHONE CHIMES)
(FRACTURED, DISTANT NOISES
PLAY ON MESSAGE)
Nothing.
He just doesn't show up.
I don't know. Maybe he
And then he butt-dials me
so I can hear him, like,
not coming on our date.
Who does that?
Maybe it's a blessing.
You've just started college.
You're doing what you want for
yourself for the first time.
Do you really want emotions
swirling around in there,
distracting you?
It's too late. Swirling is real.
You know,
love alone might seem enough.
Relationships,
they're part of an ecosystem
that connects everyone
in your life.
Your father,
your sister, your brother,
they'll all have opinions.
They already do
about everything.
Well, here's more.
Are you gonna live off
his wage while you study?
If your dad doesn't approve,
is Isa gonna keep him on
at the truck wash?
Can Nadir even fly overseas
with a criminal record?
Whoa, are you serious?
(EXHALES)
I don't know. We'd find a way.
(CHUCKLES) Come on.
Mum and Dad did.
All I'm saying is
don't rush into love.
Wow!
Take it. I made it for you.
(BOTH GIGGLE)
Even when you're pissed off,
you're talented.
- I should go.
- BATUL: Stay.
We haven't talked.
- BATUL: Please.
- I'm late.
(JASIM AL-HELOU PLAYS OUD MUSIC)
MAN: Sit here. Sit here, Sheikh.
(SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY)
Salam alaykum, Sheikhna.
Alaykum as-salam.
(SONG FINISHES)
(BOTH SPEAK ARABIC)
(PLAYS OUD)
(SINGS IN ARABIC)
(HUMS, VOICE BREAKS)
(PATRONS SING ALONG)
(DOOR SQUEAKS AND SHUTS)
(SIGHS)
(GENTLE PIANO MUSIC)
(MACHINERY RATTLES)
(MAN CALLS OUT)
(ISA WHISTLES)
Nadir come in or what?
Nah.
(RATTLING STOPS)
Hello. Salam alaykum, Om Nadir.
Sorry to call so early.
Has, uh, Nadir slept in or what?
I've been cal
What do you mean?
(HEART MONITOR BLEEPS)
(MELANCHOLY,
SWIRLING PIANO MUSIC)
(SNIFFLES)
- How bad is it?
- Doctors called it near fatal.
His ute was cut in half.
Alhamdulillah. He's alive.
What does "near fatal" mean?
Yeah, they reckon
he might not wake up ever again.
(GASPS)
He hasn't let me
hold his hand
..since he was a little boy.
(WEEPS)
(SOBS)
Always so independent.
(WEEPS)
Habibi.
Hey.
(SOMBRE MUSIC)
(MEN SPEAK ARABIC)
(ALL SPEAK ARABIC)
(ALL SPEAK ARABIC)
Thank you for for coming.
Let us pray for Nadir.
Isa.
(PRAYS IN ARABIC)
(ALL JOIN PRAYER)
(PRAYERS CONTINUE)
(SOLEMN PIANO MUSIC)
(MEN PRAY IN ARABIC)
(OM NADIR SNIFFLES)
(PRAYS SOFTLY)
(SNIFFS)
(VENDING MACHINE BUTTONS CLICK)
Can you see it, Mum?
(ISA SPEAKS ARABIC)
(JAMILA SPEAKS ARABIC)
He's a strong boy.
He's gonna make it.
(EXHALES SHAKILY)
Wish Dad was here.
DOCTOR: The neurological exam
shows extensive damage
to the frontal cortex.
He's unresponsive to light
or painful stimulus,
which, after a week,
if he had a chance
of recovering,
we should be seeing.
We believe it's in
the patient's best interest
to remove life support.
I've spoken to his mother
about next steps.
She would like your permission
to take her son
off the machines.
Do you need someone
to translate?
I understand
what you are saying, Doctor.
You want me to end
this young man's life.
This is extremely difficult,
but what Nadir has now
..it's not life.
Not as we understand it.
But you must understand,
our religion forbids it.
It forbids what you ask.
Only Allah almighty
can give life
and only Allah
can take life away.
Thank you.
(ELEVATOR BELL CHIMES)
(PENSIVE MUSIC)
(OM NADIR SNIFFLES)
Nadir's father never visited him
when he was in jail.
Not once.
But you never gave up on him.
You and your father
brought my son back
into the community
when they turned their backs
on him.
And now they cry and pray
..forgetting how they cursed him
when he got into trouble.
(OM NADIR WEEPS)
I don't want him to die.
I don't want him to die.
I just want him to be at peace.
(WEEPS)
(OM JAMILA WAILS)
Just gonna check on
Baba's plants.
I'll just jump in the shower.
(LINE RINGS)
(EXHALES DEEPLY)
Dad! How soon can you come home?
(BIRDS SING)
(BITTERSWEET PIANO MUSIC)
MAN: Sheikhna. (SPEAKS ARABIC)
Salam alaykum.
MEN: Alaykum as-salam.
(SPEAKS ARABIC)
Thank you for leading our
community in this dark time.
Of course, Sheikhna.
The last 10 days
must have been difficult, huh?
Excuse me.
For how long
can he stay alive like this?
There's no precise limit.
- Can be weeks? Months?
- Or longer.
(SIGHS) And there's nothing
you can do to help him recover?
DOCTOR: We just want what's best
for Nadir and his family.
Without life support,
he will die peacefully.
(BIRD CALLS)
(SOLEMN PIANO MUSIC)
(ALL PRAY IN ARABIC)
SHEIKH MOHAMMAD: Peace be
upon you in this hard time.
You must not be afraid.
Nadir is in peace now
in the hands of
the Almighty Creator.
What is life?
Is it the breathing?
The pulsing heartbeat?
What about
Sheikh Shaaker's sons?
Their names will live on
for him.
What about my darling Khadija?
She's alive to me.
So too Nadir.
- He will not die.
- (WEEPS)
We will carry his name
in our hearts forever.
Yes.
DOCTOR: It's time.
(SOLEMN PIANO MUSIC)
(SPEAKS ARABIC)
(SOMBRE VOCAL MUSIC)
(SOBS)
I had made my ruling.
But you ignore Allah's.
You put yourself above
the Almighty Creator.
ABU HANY:
This verse was meant
for the Prophet, not for you.
(MEN SHOUT OVER EACH OTHER)
(BLOWS LAND)
(MEN SHOUT OVER EACH OTHER)
Sheikh Shaaker, come.
I know that you are angry.
Death makes us angry.
Life goes on after death.
(ISA WEEPS)
Pain is a thing
only of this world.
What right do I have to prolong
the pain of Om Nadir?
What about what Nadir wanted?
(MELANCHOLY PIANO MUSIC)
(SAMIR SIGHS)
You won't find any answers
in there.
The day of the accident,
Nadir tried to call me.
I didn't answer his call.
(EXHALES)
(SIGHS)
(LOCKER SQUEAKS, KEYS JANGLE)
(VEHICLE APPROACHES IN DISTANCE)
(ENGINE STOPS)
(CAR DOOR CLOSES)
(GENTLE PIANO MUSIC)
I thought of anything
I could say on the way here,
but
Thanks for being here.
(MUSIC INTENSIFIES)
(PRAYS IN ARABIC)
(PENSIVE MUSIC)