10/09/2026
THE LAND HE LEFT BEHIND
EPISODE 2 — “THE OFFER HE COULDN’T UNDERSTAND”
“Because you don't know what is about to happen there.”
Alhaji Suleiman stared at the man standing in front of him.
For a few seconds, nobody spoke.
Even Maryam, who had been listening from behind him, stepped closer.
“Brother Ibrahim,” Alhaji Suleiman finally said, “what exactly are you talking about?”
Ibrahim looked around before answering.
“Alhaji, I heard something.”
“What did you hear?”
“There are plans for a major development around this area.”
Alhaji Suleiman's eyes narrowed.
“What kind of development?”
“I don't have all the details yet. But I know that some very influential people have already started acquiring land around here.”
Alhaji Suleiman remained silent.
He had suspected that something was changing.
But he didn't expect someone to come to his house at night to warn him about it.
Then Ibrahim said something that caught his attention.
“The man who sent me wants your entire 20 acres.”
“Who is he?”
Ibrahim mentioned the name.
Alhaji Suleiman knew him.
He was a wealthy businessman who rarely made property decisions without doing his homework.
That made the offer even more interesting.
Maryam looked at her husband.
“So, what are you going to do?”
Alhaji Suleiman didn't answer.
He walked back into the house.
---
That night, he couldn't sleep.
He sat alone in the living room with the documents of the land on the table.
He opened the file.
Survey.
Deed of Assignment.
Receipts.
Other relevant documents.
He looked at them carefully.
Almost twice what he had paid.
If he accepted the offer, he could recover his money and make a substantial profit.
He could buy another car.
Expand his business.
Put money into other investments.
Perhaps even buy another property.
It was a very attractive offer.
But something kept troubling him.
Why was the buyer willing to pay so much?
People don't normally offer almost twice the purchase price unless they believe the property is worth significantly more to them.
Alhaji Suleiman closed the file.
He whispered:
“Ya Allah, if this is good for me and my family, make it easy. If it is not good, remove it from me.”
He had made his decision.
But he wanted to be certain.
---
The following morning, he went to see his friend, Mallam Bashir.
After listening to everything, Bashir laughed.
“My brother, why are you still thinking?”
“What do you mean?”
“Sell it!”
Alhaji Suleiman smiled.
“You didn't even ask me how much the offer is.”
“I don't need to.”
Bashir leaned forward.
“If someone offers you almost double what you paid, take the money.”
“But what if the land becomes more valuable?”
Bashir laughed.
“And what if it doesn't?”
That question stayed in the room.
Alhaji Suleiman nodded.
“That is exactly why I won't make the decision based on greed.”
Bashir looked at him.
“So what will you base it on?”
“Research. Consultation. And istikhaarah.”
Bashir smiled.
“Wallahi, you think differently.”
Alhaji Suleiman laughed.
“Maybe.”
Then he added:
“But one thing I know is that money is not the only measure of a good decision.”
---
Over the next few weeks, Alhaji Suleiman began making enquiries.
He spoke with people familiar with the area.
He visited government offices.
He asked questions about the proposed developments.
He checked the boundaries of his property again.
He spoke with people who understood land and urban development.
And slowly, pieces of the puzzle began coming together.
A major road project was being planned.
More residential developments were being proposed.
Businesses were beginning to show interest in the surrounding area.
The place that many people once considered too far away was gradually becoming connected to the rest of the city.
Alhaji Suleiman returned home one evening and sat with Maryam.
“You were right,” he said.
Maryam smiled.
“About what?”
“There is something happening around the land.”
She became serious.
“So, will you sell?”
He looked at her.
“I don't know yet.”
Maryam nodded.
“Then don't allow the amount of money to be the only thing guiding you.”
Alhaji Suleiman smiled.
“That is exactly what I have been thinking.”
---
A few days later, the buyer came personally.
He arrived in a large black vehicle.
He greeted Alhaji Suleiman warmly and sat down.
“Alhaji, I won't waste your time.”
He placed an envelope on the table.
“We are ready to increase our offer.”
Alhaji Suleiman looked at the envelope but didn't touch it.
“How much?”
The man mentioned the new figure.
Maryam, who was nearby, looked at her husband.
It was now more than twice what they had originally paid.
For a moment, Alhaji Suleiman felt his heart beat faster.
This was no longer an ordinary offer.
The buyer leaned forward.
“You can use this money to do many things.”
Alhaji Suleiman nodded.
“I know.”
“Then why are you hesitating?”
Alhaji Suleiman looked directly at him.
“Because I want to understand something.”
“What?”
“Why do you want my land so badly?”
The man smiled.
“Alhaji, it is a good location.”
“I know.”
“And we believe it has potential.”
“I know.”
“Then you already have your answer.”
Alhaji Suleiman shook his head.
“No. I want yours.”
The man's smile disappeared.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then he stood up.
“Alhaji, I think you should take some time to consider the offer.”
“I will.”
The man picked up his phone and walked towards the door.
Before leaving, he turned around.
“You may not get another offer like this.”
Alhaji Suleiman smiled politely.
“Only Allah knows what tomorrow holds.”
The man left.
---
That night, Alhaji Suleiman called his eldest son, Yusuf, who was studying away from home.
He wanted to teach him something.
“Yusuf.”
“Yes, Baba?”
“When you have an opportunity, don't only ask how much money you can make from it.”
Yusuf listened carefully.
“Ask yourself what the opportunity could become.”
There was silence.
Then Yusuf asked:
“Baba, are you talking about the land?”
Alhaji Suleiman smiled.
“Yes.”
“Are you going to sell it?”
“I haven't decided.”
Yusuf laughed.
“Then why did you tell me all this?”
“Because one day, you may have to make decisions bigger than mine.”
He paused.
“And when that day comes, I want you to remember that wealth is not only about what you can spend.”
“It is also about what you can preserve.”
---
The following morning, something unexpected happened.
Alhaji Suleiman received a phone call.
It was from the surveyor who had helped him process the property documents years earlier.
“Alhaji, I need you to come and see me.”
“Is everything okay?”
“I would rather explain when you arrive.”
“Is there a problem with my land?”
The surveyor paused.
“No.”
“Then what is it?”
Another pause.
“Alhaji... someone has just submitted an application concerning the area around your property.”
“What kind of application?”
The surveyor lowered his voice.
“You need to see this document yourself.”
Alhaji Suleiman's heart skipped.
“Why?”
The surveyor replied:
“Because if what I am seeing is correct, the land you bought may soon become much more important than you ever imagined.”
TO BE CONTINUED… 🌱
✍️ IBN ALIYY HOMES Realty
