Surrounding Stories (Collection)

2020

1st position holder of Enlighten Youth Enlighten Ummah 2020 Mega Competition.

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She liked playing with numbers. It had a been a childhood favourite game of hers that she would collect all digit cards and arrange them in various orders to get all sorts of big and small numbers.

These digits had been her childhood friends, whispering her secrets the numbers withheld. Out of all these, a particular striking value had always fascinated Laila that was 2020.

Years passed by, as she grew up, the fascination with digits long forgotten; remaining sealed in some corner of her heart. It was a childhood obsession so it could never leave anyway. That’s when her 20th birthday came and she finally left her teenage, becoming an adult. The date of course,
20.2.2020.

It was the year when all the human beings witnessed how a tiny, invisible, acellular organism could entrap the whole world by the order of Allah Almighty. Earlier, they used to say Allah has the supreme power, the ability to say kun and it would happen but 2020 had made everyone an eye witness to this attribute of Allah Almighty.

Laila was skeptical since the beginning of this year as this had been a particularly looked upon
number since her birth. Furthermore being born in the first year of the new century, she was the same age as the year. Thus entering into adulthood was initially her perception of her obsession with 2020. But as the year began and world happenings only seen in movies manifested themselves, she realized that her interest wasn’t for nothing.

The pandemic overtook continent to continent and national lockdowns were implemented. Resultantly, the new adult was forced to forfeit her dreams and protect herself. This made her wonder if these events were just a normal happening or a sign from the Creator to open our eyes
and see what the world had come to. The need to realize the path the earth headed was an eye opener by the coronavirus and Laila couldn’t have been more astounded.

A month into the lockdown, the holy month of Ramadhan came and Muslims all around the globe worried for the mass gatherings of Taraweeh prayer in Masjids. Under lockdown, permission wasn’t granted. Laila decided to spend this month to acquire as much blessings as possible because an year like this would probably never come again. Thus, wasting such an opportunity would be nothing less than a shame.

Allah granted power to her intentions and quarantine became her Quran Time. The month of Ramadhan itself was the month of the Quran so Laila found herself drawn to her Creator and his book with steadfastness never experienced before. The increasing death toll was shaking the Muslim
Ummah to realize the pit they had fallen into and seek the light of success to pass the test of this world.
She started listening to an hour lecture by an upcoming youth activist and influencer. His logic and
perceptions regarding interpretations of the Quran and Sunnah kept inspiring her. It ignited the fire of Dawah within her and made her accept everything of her religion whole-heartedly. Days of Ramadan passed by and she vowed to become a better Muslimah.

With the world in a crisis and humans in turmoil, Laila was lost in her own world. She was bestowed with a gift blessed only to the loved ones of Allah, the near and dear ones; the gift of Hidayat. Earth was finally healing and animals felt free and safe.

Years later when this pandemic had become a turning point in history, Laila thanked Allah almighty always for making it a turning point in her life as well. It was the year when she held onto the rope of Allah with sheer determination and vowed to never let go. It had changed the focal point of her life, her goals and ambitions.

This year made her understand the true meaning of this life, the true essence of this journey. It strengthened her faith and held her together when the whole world was falling apart. 2020 blessed Laila by being her saviour and pushing her to the path of eternal success.

Laila finally realized why 2020 has held a special place in her heart.

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