“Something in me knew marriage was to be the greatest trial of my life, great enough to push me to the brink.”
– A Part of Me Refused to Die, by Nisha Sulthana
I don’t ever remember reading a memoir. If I did, it wasn’t as memorable or as heart-touching as A Part of Me Refused to Die.
The Broken Half, by Sahar Abdulaziz, tells the story of Zahra Evans, a young American Muslim woman who married Jamal Evans in the hopes of leading a normal wedded life. Little did she know it would take a wrong turn.ย Continue reading
In Nothing but Love, the author Zeneefa Zaneer captivates the reader from the very first page. Amash, a hard-headed and cynical guy is averse to marriage, but is forced to marry A. B., upon the last wish of his mother with whom he had a strained relationship. A. B., a strong-willed and bold girl comes with the package of a mysterious past. Will Amash marry the no-nonsense practicing Muslimah his mother chose for him? Will A. B. get rid of her past and live in peace? These are some questions that will grip the reader to its end, sometimes making him/her to go back and read some parts to understand better. Continue reading
Man is a social animal.
I remember learning this in almost all the subjects in my higher secondary – from Psychology to Political Science to Economics.
I never really understood the full meaning until there came a time when I wasn’t able to socialize much. That was a depressing time. I had everything to keep me happy – a loving husband, a new bundle of joy, a peaceful place to live in – and yet there was a longing in me. It got to a point where my mind couldn’t take it anymore. I HAD to meet people. I HAD to socialize. I HAD to have adult conversation that didn’t involve talking about what the baby did today and what he didn’t do. That was when I truly understood that man was indeed a social animal.
But being social doesn’t guarantee true happiness. What brings true happiness is being with righteous people.
Righteous parents to bestow an upbringing that will continue down the lineage.
Righteous siblings to have a bond that sticks like glue, and not for namesake.
Righteous friends who become the rope to help you get to the Rope of Allah.
Righteous spouse who will become a means of raising your rank in the Hereafter.
Righteous children who are a means of ongoing charity for you even when you have long gone from this world.
It is this righteousness that man needs, to help one another in goodness and God-consciousness.
Man is a social animal whose innate nature is to seek righteousness to live a content and peaceful life.
~ Umm Afraz ~
Umm Afraz Muhammed 