“Then is one to whom the evil of his deed has been made attractive so he considers it good [like one rightly guided]? For indeed, Allāh sends astray whom He wills and guides whom He wills.” (QURAN 35:8)
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"Navi you are late. Again!" I exclaimed through gritted teeth at which he just gave me his usual annoying toothy grin.
"No—I am not. As usual you're the one who's early." He retorted cheekily; spinning the keys through his fingers. I could only scoff at him with disdain.
“Allah does not intend to make difficulty for you, but He intends to purify you and complete His favor upon you that you may be grateful.” (QURAN 5:6)**************************"PRINCESS!! Wake up!!" My eyes snapped open at his scream. The sudden noise had given my heart a kick start and it was thumping so loudly against my chest, that I couldn't move for a moment, until he began to nudge me."Wake up! It's your birthday!!" His annoying voice clashed with my ears and all of a sudden, I felt immense rage burning in me. With a loud and irritated groan, I
“Whoever receives guidance, receives it for his own benefit. Whoever goes astray, does so to his own loss. No bearer of burdens can bear the burden of another.” (QURAN 17:15)***************************"Aasiya!!" I could hear Navi yelling behind me but I didn't bother to stop until I was safe outside. The chill struck my bare sleeves but I was too preoccupied to even out my heaving breaths to take any notice of it."Aasi—What's wrong—!?" He screamed coming to stand beside me and gently taking hold of my arm while I bent down to my knees, with
“This [Qur'an] is a clear statement to [all] the people and a guidance and instruction for those conscious of Allah.” (QURAN 3:138)**************************Staring at my bare hands, I wondered where did I go wrong?I did everything I thought to be the right thing. Yet, why had my life ended up this way? What should I have done instead—I wish someone would tell me—I wish there was a book—A sort of guidebook to help me understand where to go from here.
“And walk not with arrogance. Indeed, you can never tear the earth apart, nor can you surpass the mountains in height.” (QURAN 17:37)**************************I sat on my bed, slouched over, while still in the nikkah attire. The heels of my hands pressed against the socket of my eyes; as I tried to piece together how and where did it all start to go wrong. The earliest memory, I could trace back to, was when I was 4 and for the first time witnessed the horrors of my world."Now you will tell me what to do and what not to—?!! I think you've forgotten your place—I'll have to make it so, you never make the same mistake twice—" I stood on top of stairs watching Dad hit Mom through the railings. I was in bed when the loud noises scared me and I got out to check them—"Naveed Baba!!" I was pulled back with a jerk by my Nanny who picked me in her arms and dashed to my room."Buwa—buwa—why was Daddy hitting Mommy? Did Mommy do bad—?" I asked between sobs, while Buwa helped me change out of m
“It is not eyes that are blind, but blind are the hearts.” (QURAN 22:46)***************************"So you're coming to the party at Raiha's tomorrow, right?" I listened with half an ear to Saad going on beside me and slumped on the couch. After getting free from academy, I would usually come here with him and others for a joint and then spend the rest of our evening here, in the cafe."Can't. Busy. Cousin is coming." I returned distracted and didn't turn to catch the haggard look on his face.
“So he invoked his Lord, ‘Indeed, I am overpowered, so help.’” (QURAN 54:10)**************************I had dropped down to my knees. My voice was breaking with tears and I was crying through hiccups while gazing up at her, whose eyes were devoid of all warmth and held nothing but contempt."All my life—I have never asked you for anything—No matter what you said, I have done everything you've ever asked me to do—Never once, have I complained to you about anything—You were absent my whole life—Whenever, I needed someone to guide me or help me through the hurdles of life, I never once found you there to help me—but—but please—just this once—please— I am here, on my knees begging you—I am your daughter—Your flesh and blood, for God's sake—! I have no one else to turn to for help—You're my mother—if you won't help me—then where else would I go—Please—! Please Mom—Don't make me marry Navi—" My vision had become blurry but the tears were nowhere near ending. Yet, I continued to clutch my h
“And whoever fears Allah - He will make for him a way out (from every difficulty). And will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah - then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Allah has already set for everything a [decreed] extent. (QURAN 65:2-3)**************************"Who?" The Guard asked and I felt my hope shattering.'Ya Allah. What will I do now? It's almost Isha—where would I go at this time of night?'
“They forgot Allah, so He forgot them.” (QURAN 9:67)**************************I sat on the floor to the far end of the room, out of sight from everyone else and listened intently to Haadi's heart-rending Qirat; resonating throughout the room."—and said: Get down, both of you, (that is, man and Satan), and be out of it; each of you shall be an enemy to the other. Henceforth if there comes to you a guidance from Me, then whosoever follows My guidance shall neither go astray nor suffer misery—But whosoever turns away fr