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17. THE CONCLUSION
“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)
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"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
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HER VOCATION 18. MOMENT OF TRUTH
“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.
HER VOCATION 19. NAVEED SULEIMAN
“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
HER VOCATION 20. HIS MEMORIES
“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.
HER VOCATION 21. AASIYA
“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
HER VOCATION 22. HASBI ALLAH
“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?'
HER VOCATION 23. TAWBAH
“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
HER VOCATION 24. SIRAT UL MUSTAQEEM
“Our Lord, let not our hearts deviate after You have guided us and grant us from Yourself mercy. Indeed, You are the Bestower.” (QURAN 3:8)**************************My eyes snapped open in a fright.
HER VOCATION 25. HER VOCATION
“And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honour.” (QURAN 17:23)***************************1 YEAR & 4 MONTHS LATER"You were calling out his name in sleep, again." I looked up from my knitting at Haadi's voice to find myself at the receiving end of her full attention. Looking away momentarily, I tried to colle
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