Veil Of Innocence

Chapter 34

                             Zainab

Three years later, in South Africa instead of Makkah and I can say there hasn’t been a split second where I regretted coming here.
Sure if I had received my Visa for Makkah earlier; things would have been very different but this was all Allah’s plan for me and I have no complaints against it.
I love it here in SA! Sure it was hard to leave my old haram habits but the positivity around is truly a blessing. More so, the head Alima, who knows about my past didn’t give me judgmental looks or comments when I told her about my situation, and has been treating me the same as everyone else.
This really taught me not to judge anyone since we humans are unjust hypocrites, may Allah forgive us all. The real definition of being open minded is the ability to not draw conclusions about a person you know little about, to not judge them based on their past and not to assume their future based on their present.

Before, I had an angelic mask that hid the devil inside (Astagfirullah) but now, my mask of Innocence or should I say Veil of Innocence is my Niqab – a protector from all evil and beneath this veil is nobility, honesty and faith. I’m a Niqabi by choice and contrary to my prior beliefs, it’s not an anchor of discomfort, it’s more of the armour that shields us.
And in my eyes it’s the prettiest dressing any female can adorn.

Dad is here to pick me up since Ramadhan is coming – holiday period!
Our bond has grown despite everything Alhamdulillah, sure there was a bumpy, pothole-y, twisted road where he didn’t want to see my face in the middle, but now we’re closer than ever.
I’ve tried to explain to him how important it is to follow the Sunni way but he is adamant on staying Shia.
It’s ironic how once upon a time he was convincing his wife to turn Shia and then, a few years later; here he was listening to his daughter convincing him on becoming Sunni.

Talking about his wife; I told my mum about everything that happened back in Scotland when I’d spent a few months here in SA. I couldn't leave her in the dark.
I felt safer knowing that the conversation would be held over a phone call and not face to face.
And what I expected happened; she didn’t talk to me for a year and I heard she tortured herself for failing at my upbringing.
But now everything is cool Alhamdulillah.

“Zainab, can I ask you something?” dad interrupts my thoughts

“Yes daddy, ask away”

“Someone, a man from the gents side of your college wants to see you... on the prospect of marriage.
What do you think?
Would you like to see him?”
His speech flows, straightforward as always

“Uumm, what do you think?
Have you spoken to mum?”
I ask

“I have and she thinks it’s a good thing, you are 22 and she feels it’s a good age to get married since she herself got married at 23”
he smiles, thinking back to the days when he married mum

“And what do you think Daddy?”
I prod

“I feel you’re still young, still my little girl but it’s your decision, if you feel you’re ready and the boy is decent I have no objection.
And remember there isn’t any sort of pressure on you.”
He explains

I knew this was coming and it was uncomfortable to no end.
Am I ready to get married? Yes I am. The concept of having someone with who you can please Allah daily is a thrilling one.
But actually discussing it with dad *face reddens*

“Ok daddy, I’ll meet him”
I say after a long pause

      Is this it? Are they finally going to meet?
Stay tuned!
Mega excited 😀
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