Inspiring Muslimah

Muslimah by name

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Chapter 1

Muslimah by name

Ayman has always looked up to her aunt who was a very hard working teacher. She was twenty years old and had great ambitions. Growing up, she realized the hardships her aunt faced to become a successful person in order to support her family. Her aunt afflated her and so, she wanted to become a teacher and support her family like her aunt. She made it her dream. She studied hard and always thought about becoming a successful and an independent woman. She had many plans for the future as she dreamt of becoming renowned and making her parents proud of her. She was a diligent student and made use of all the opportunities that came her way and as a result of her hard work, she had been honored with the title of the best student of the year in the college. Also, she had won many prizes in various competitions. She was very happy and eagerly anticipated for her father's compliments.

One day, she showed her certificates to her father and looked at him expectantly. "Hmm...good." He said. 'That's it?' she thought. He said further "but this won't help you in future. It isn't of much use". That really surprised her and put her mind in a state of tumult. "Thank you abbu. I will reflect on it".

The following days, she kept pondering over her father's words. She couldn't comprehend a fiddlestick of what he said. 'How can the certificates be not of any use? Won't they help me get good jobs? What will make my parents happy?' she thought. Soon her questions were answered, when she met a young boy on a fine morning. She was on her way to college with her dad. Her dad smiled at the boy and hugged him tightly and said to her "This young boy's name is Rehan. He's only six years old. He goes to masjid every morning to read the Holy Qur'an. Isn't he such a good kid?" Ayman simply nodded. She was shocked by the way her father greeted the boy. He had introduced the boy with such pride. She had never seen this side of her father. Rehan blushed and said "Jazzak Allahu Khair." Ayman was surprised and so was her father because kids these days normally say thank you or shukran. Her father beamed at him "Wa iyyakum."

Ayman looked at the boy. He was wearing a topi, holding the Holy Qur'an in his hand and standing in front of the masjid. She finally found the answers to her questions. She smiled at him and said "Jazzak Allahu Khair". Rehan looked perplexed but replied "Wa iyyakum" and left. Meeting Rehan was very fortunate for her. Though he was a small kid, he made her realize big things. Her parents not only wanted her to excel in studies but to excel in deen also. She realized that getting lot of certificates cannot help her to enter Jannah. All her life she had been preparing for exams to get good grades and receive compliments and to be acknowledged by the society. But what had she prepared for her final exam, the Day of Judgment? Had she done enough good deeds to enter Jannah? Had she ever thought of the happiness she would feel when Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) would smile on her? She had focused on the worldly life which was temporary for so many years. She hadn't prepared for the Afterlife which was eternal. She hadn't lived her life like a true Muslim. She realized that she was a Muslim only by name. She missed many prayers, didn't care about the hijab or the importance of Prophet Muhammad's (Peace Be Upon Him) teachings. She felt that she had wasted a lot of time and failed as a Muslim. She felt disappointed and dowie. Ayman wept but her parents asked her to be patient for it is never too late as Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. Though worldly life is temporary, we have been born into this world for a purpose. We simply have to rely on Allah and learn to balance the deen and the dunya. "

"If you love Allah then follow me(The

Prophet) and Allah will love you."

-Qur'an 3:31

"Allah is the protecting guardian of those who believe. He leads them out of the darkness into the light." [2:257]

Surah Hud, Verse 3: "Seek ye the forgiveness of your Lord, and turn to Him in repentance; that He may grant you enjoyment, good (and true), for a term appointed, and bestow His abounding grace on all who abound in merit!"

Surah Hud, Verse 52: "And O my people! Ask forgiveness of your Lord, and turn to Him (in repentance): He will send you the skies pouring abundant rain, and add strength to your strength: so turn ye not back in sin!"

3) Surah An-Noor, Verse 31: "And O ye Believers! turn ye all together towards Allah, that ye may attain Bliss."

4)Surah Al An'aam, Verse 54: "Verily, if any of you did evil in ignorance, and thereafter repented, and amend (his conduct), lo! He is Oft- forgiving, Most Merciful."

5) Surah Al Maida, Verse 39: "But if the thief repents after his crime, and amends his conduct, Allah turneth to him in forgiveness; for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful."

6) Surah Maryam, Verses 59-60: "But after them there followed a posterity who missed prayers and followed after lusts soon, then, will they face Destruction, Except those who repent and believe, and work righteousness: for these will enter the Garden and will not be wronged in the least."

Reference( of the verses mentioned above) :

[ http://www.zawaj.com/askbilqis/tawbah-in-islam/its-not-over-til-the-trumpets-blown-tawbah-and-repentance/ ]

A true Muslim is the one who completely submits to the will of Allah and follows the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). And so Ayman decided to not be a Muslim just by name but to live like a proud Muslimah. She began her journey of becoming a true Muslimah and lived happily ever after by the blessings of Allah (SWT).