Our Journey

2. In sha Allah | إن شاء الل

Hidayah walked home, the cool evening air refreshing against her flushed cheeks. Her mind replayed snippets of her first day at the school—the excited chatter of her students, Aaron's effortless charm, and the way he'd stepped in to help Omar when things got overwhelming. As she turned onto her street, she couldn't shake the thought of him. There was no denying he was attractive, but that wasn't what occupied her mind.

What lingered was his use of "In sha Allah." She had recognised the phrase, but it caught her off guard to hear it from him. Was he actually Muslim? She frowned at the question, wondering if a non-Muslim would casually use such a term. Shaking her head, realising it was none of her business so she decided to distract herself. Pulling out her AirPods, she selected some nasheeds' to play softly as she walked, the soothing melodies calming her thoughts.

When she reached home, she stepped inside, greeted by the familiar warmth of her home. "Salaam'alaikum!" she called out, heading towards the living room, "Amma, I'm heading in the shower before everyone gets home, do you need to use the loo before I go?" 

"Wa alaikum asalaam Hidayah", her mother responds "no, its alright you go. Your dadu and dada are at your chachu's today."

"Okay, I wont be long. I'm starving." Hidayah headed straight for the shower. The water felt invigorating as it washed away the day's anxieties, leaving her refreshed and ready to pray.

After her shower, Hidayah spread her prayer mat on the floor, focusing her heart and mind as she performed her salah. In that moment, she praised Allah for allowing her first day to go better than expected, feeling a deep sense of gratitude for the experiences and connections she had begun to forge.

Once she finished her prayers, she made her way downstairs, the inviting aroma of her mother's cooking wafting through the air. Her sister was already back from sixth form, and her father had just returned with her little brother from school. As always, the whole family gathered around the table for dinner, eager to share the day's events.

Her mother had prepared a feast of traditional Bangladeshi dishes, the vibrant colours of the curry and the fragrant rice making Hidayah's mouth water. They all helped themselves, filling their plates with generous portions before settling down to eat.

"So, how was your first day?" her sister asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"It went well, alhamdulillah" Hidayah replied, her heart swelling with the warmth of family and the comfort of home. She recounted the highlights of her day, the laughter in the classroom, and her determination to do well, all while the familiar banter of her family filled the room.

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Aaron parked his car and gathered his belongings, the familiar weight of his backpack reassuring against his back. It had taken him longer than expected to get home, thanks to a detour for takeout, but he was grateful to have missed the rush hour. As he walked into his flat, he recited the dua for entering his home, the words a comforting ritual.

Once inside, he kicked off his shoes and made his way to the kitchen, placing the takeaway container on the counter. The delicious aroma wafted up, making his stomach growl in anticipation.

After refreshing himself in the bathroom, Aaron performed wudhu, feeling the cool water rejuvenate him. He then turned to pray, reflecting on how far he had come over the summer. Memorising surahs had become a focus for him, a challenge he was determined to tackle. Tajweed had initially felt daunting, but with the help of his friend from before he embraced Islam, as well as support from the brothers at the mosque, he had made significant progress.

He smiled to himself, proud of his achievements. Not only had he mastered Surah Ikhlas and Surah Kawthar, but he had also memorised Surah Nas, Surah Quraysh, Surah Falak, and Surah Masad, along with Ayatul Kursi. Each new surah felt like a personal victory, and he couldn't wait to dive deeper into his studies of Arabic so he could read the Quran in its original form, just as it was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).