Bismillahi Rrahmaan Rraheem.
I am back from a long break. Jazaakumullah kheyr for being patient and May Allah reward you.

7300 words as an attempt of compensating my long absence.
I gave it my all. I pray that you love it and benefit much from this chapter. Baarakallaah fiikum all my dear readers. May Allah make you happy.

ycherif02 and Duaashaykh you are my newest readers. Hayyakumullah.
_______________________

“Ummii go and rest. I’ll do the dishes.” Salma lovingly told her mom.” Are you sure?” Husaynah asked with concern. Salma had spent the day complaining of headache so Husaynah was worried that she hadn’t taken enough rest.
They had just finished their dinner after praying Maghrib.

“Yes I’m sure ummi. You prepared the meal. Now that we’ve eaten I have to wash.” Salma told her mother as she put the plates in the sink. “Go mom, please.”

Husaynah smiled to her daughter and left for her room as she silently sent thanks to her Lord.

To be blessed with a child who was obedient to her, full of love and mercy to her, loves Allah and loves His prophet was a ne’mah that Husaynah ever acknowledged. She always asked Allah to protect her gem and always be pleased with both of them.

Husaynah went back to her room and resumed her work of folding their clothes which she had washed earlier that day. Her tongue was moist with Allah’s remembrance throughout as she was wise enough not to waste her time. She enjoyed doing dhikr for that was what made her heart alive and raised her to a status so high that the Almighty Himself mentioned her name.

Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet said:
“The similitude of someone who remembers his Lord and someone who does not is like that of the living and the dead.” (Al-Bukhari)

Allah Akbar! Imagine working in an international company and have the overall manager know your name and mention you in some meeting. You would probably feel great and successful. Well, Allah is the King of the Kings and to have Him mention you is indeed a really high status a believer must struggle to achieve.

Allah, azza wa jalla said,
فَاذْكُرُونِي أَذْكُرْكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوا لِي وَلَا تَكْفُرُونِ
So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me.
[Surat Al-Baqarah 152]

Her choice of the day was, سبحان الله وبحمده سبحان الله العظيم 
As that was the  dhikr that Allah loved the most.

Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet said:
“There are two statements that are light on the tongue, heavy on the scales, and beloved to the Most Merciful:
Subahana Allahi wa bihamdihi
Subhana Allahi Al-'Adheem
(Glory and praise be to Allah, Glorified is Allah, the Most Great.)”
(Al-Bukhari)

A while later Salma joined her mom in their bedroom. “Mom, what’s your schedule this week?” Salma asked her mother as she lied on the bed.

“I was called at Az-Zahraa to give a small talk tomorrow in Shaa Allah.” Az-Zahraa was a Islamic girl’s high school in their province. She was invited to deliver a motivational speech to the girls.

“What about sessions?” Salma loved the sessions especially those that were held in their house. She loved playing host especially considering the reward and blessings which Allah has promised those who provide hospitality to the guests.

Has the story reached you of the honored guests of Abraham?

Behold, they entered his presence and said: “Peace!” He said: “Peace!” (and thought: “They seem) unusual people.”

Then he turned quickly to his household, brought out a roasted fattened calf, and placed it before them.  He said: “Will you not eat?”
(Quran 51: 24-27)

Treating Guests with kindness was the sunnah of all Prophets and it was something loved by our Prophet Muhammad may peace be upon him.

“I remember having one by the end of the month but not sure which date. I will have to check my diary for that.”

“In Sha Allah.” Salma replied as she rolled on her mother’s bed making herself more comfortable. “I hope we get to start the Tafseer Ibn Katheer this week. We have always been postponing it and it has a lot to cover.”

“In Sha Allah, we will. I have come to realize that if we wait till we have spare time to learn, we will never find the time to do so. Shaytaan too is on his toes ready to fill our schedule with many less important issues. We should in fact find time and fix it, in Sha Allah.”

“Tomorrow then in Sha Allah.” Salma suggested. Husaynah had learnt Islamic knowledge from her late grandfather and from her husband. She and her daughter often picked books whenever they were free and Husaynah would teach her daughter.

“Mom after you finish will you comb my hair please?” Salma asked with pleading eyes.

Husaynah smiled, “Someone show me a nineteen years old who still gets her hair done by her mother.” She teased her daughter.

“Mom!” Salma whined. “When I do it, it hurts.”

“Yes. You have your excuses. We all know that. Don’t we?” Then, Salma just chuckled as what her mother was saying was right.

“I started doing my hair when I was eight.”

“Wow. Maa Sha Allah.” How was that even possible? Salma wondered to herself.

“Ummi. When you were told to get married at fourteen. How did you feel?” Salma inquired. She was nineteen and she still felt that she was not ready. Thanks Lord there was her dad’s absence to be used as an excuse.

By then, Husaynah had finished folding her clothes. She picked a comb from their dressing table and sat on their bed so she may comb her daughter’s hair.

“I was fine with the marriage concept. Most girls in my family were married around the same age. My mother was married at fourteen too. But subhaaanallah I was so reluctant on the fact that he was too old for me.” Husaynah relayed to her child.

“He was thrice your age, right?” Salma’s question was laced with curiosity.

“Almost thrice. I was fourteen whereas he was thirty eight.” Husaynah said as she stretched her legs on the mattress. “Come and lay so I comb you.” She instructed Salma who obeyed and kept her head on her mother’s lap.

“Jazaakillaah kheyr Ummii.” She was taught well to say that in each and every kindness shown to her.

“Wa anti fajazaakillaah kheyr dear.” (May Allah also reward you with kheyr). She replied. “I remember it’s my grandfather who told me about your father.”

Her gaze was glued to the wall ahead and it was clear that her heart had opened up one of it’s deep chambers full of fond memories.

“Jaddii (my grandfather), may Allah have mercy on him, loved him so much. He was his student and Jaddii especially loved his eagerness to learn about Islam.” Husaynah spoke of her love.

“And your parents?”

“My father, may Allah have mercy on him, didn’t mind at all. Jaddii was the person who had the last say to all of us grandchildren’s proposals. So my dad was pretty okay from the beginning.”

“And jaddah?” Salma asked of her grandmother while she try to imagine what transpired years back before she was born.

“I remember ummi would recite the hadith of the Prophet  صلى الله عليه وسلم to make me understand.
The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi was sallam) said,
'When someone with whose religion and character you are satisfied asks to marry your daughter, comply with his request. If you do not do so, there will be corruption and great evil on earth.'
(Tirmidhi)”

“And just like that? You agreed?”
When asked that question Husaynah chuckled making Salma more and more curious. “Why you giggling?” Salma asked her mother.

“You just reminded me of that night.” Husaynah recalled that special night which she said yes to her husband’s proposal. Salma didn’t ask questions as she didn’t want to interrupt her mother’s thoughts which she could see from her facial expression.

Husaynah’s eyes told the tale before her tongue moved. And if Salma was observant enough she would have noticed the change in her mother’s heartbeats rhythm as they seemed to be singing a love lullaby from the teen Husaynah to the one present at that moment.

Before Husaynah continued, the adhaan for Swalaatul I’sha was called. They both stopped talking as they listened to the adhaan and repeated after the Caller.

Once it was over, they both faced to Qiblah and recited the du’a after the adhaan.

O Allah, Lord of this perfect call and established prayer. Grant Muhammad the intercession and favor, and raise him to the honored station You have promised him, verily You do not neglect promises.
Al-Bukhari 1/152, Al-Bayhaqi 1/410

Undoubtedly, after that prayer they both made their personal prayers beseeching Allah to grant them their wishes because between Adhan and Iqamah the du’a is never rejected by Allah glorified be He.

After they were done with their silent du’as, Salma prayed loudly, “Yaa Rabb please protect my father and return him to us soon.”

Husaynah responded amiin and had a hard time trying to stop tears from flowing from her eyes. Missing her husband was not the reason why she did that but how their daughter had fully applied all that she had taught her into her life always moved her heart. Alhamdulillah, she thanked her Lord once again.

Salma lied back on her mother’s lap, and Husaynah resumed her tale, “Jaddi invited him over for dinner. All the males in our family were there as they kept asking him questions and some observing him. Us girls peeped through the curtain to have a glimpse of him.” She chuckled again. It sounded funnier then that she was narrating her teen side to her child.

“Your parents didn’t see you?” Salma asked as she laughed.

“Of course not. We were only asked to wait right outside the living room so as to attend to them whenever something is needed from the kitchen.”

“It was fun. I remember we were all mesmerized by his green eyes. He was so handsome and he had a bright face. Alhamdulillah.”

“Aaaww.” Her daughter complimented. My mother is so cute.

“We spent the whole night admiring him.” Husaynah giggled again, “He had no protruding belly, he had beard,  he had a bright smile and so on. It was a long list. Everyone was saying he doesn’t look his age.”

“Did you tell him about that night?” Salma asked expecting no for an answer.

“Of course I did.” Her mother shocked her, “After I got used to him and reached that stage where I felt that I had received too much and it’s time to give back.”

Geez. I would have never got the guts. Salma thought to herself. She did not know that Allah has taken it to Himself to fill a marriage with love, affection and mercy that it reaches a point where both spouses are equally comfortable and both give in equal share of effort to make their loved one feel loved.

“Alhamdulillah that your pals vouched for him. Or it would have been hard to say yes.”

“Yes. Alhamdulillah. And it was the best decision ever. Alhamdulillah. I am also grateful that I didn’t have friends who would have probably made me feel bad about my decision. After I graduated primary I stopped going to school and started learning under Jaddii. So my friends were just my family members, Alhamdulillaah. If I had said no I would have rejected a precious irreplaceable pearl.” Salma smiled upon hearing that.

The best moments of her life was hearing tales about her father, her best part being the blossoming love that never died.

“Maa Shaa Allaaaah.” She said it with an aaaww expression as she took in a deep breath. “That is sooo cute.”

“Alhamdulillah.” Husaynah responded as she ignored her daughter’s adoration.

“Do you have your ablution? It’s time for I’sha now.” Salma asked her mother. “I keep telling you; as long as you are at a place where it is comfortable to renew your ablution, don’t use your previous ablution for the next Swalaah. You will be missing out on many opportunities. Perform it on top of your old one.” Husaynah reprimanded her.

Salma gave a sheepish smile. “I forgot Ummii. And how did you know that I have mine?” She never understood the mother’s ability to see through.

“May this be the last time you forget dear and from how you answered it was all clear.” Her mother was always extra loving when it came to calling her to the straight path. Although her daughter loved Islamic teachings, she fears that if she was harsh on her it would give her the urge to rebel and Shaytan may try to trick her into feeling that her mother is burdening her and that she does not appreciate all that she does for Allah.

“When we perform ablution most importantly we are doing Allah’s Messenger may peace be upon him’s sunnah. And what does Allah say about sunnah?” Husaynah asked her daughter as a way of reminding her.
“And My servant continues to draw near to me with nafil (supererogatory) deeds until I Love him.”

“And what else in the virtues?"

“With each water drop dripping from our skins, Allah Forgives our sins.”

She was referring to the hadith where the prophet may peace be upon him stated,
“When a Muslim, or a believer, washes his face (in the course of Wudu), every sin which he committed with his eyes, will be washed away from his face with water, or with the last drop of water; when he washes his hands, every sin which is committed by his hands will be effaced from his hands with the water, or with the last drop of water; and when he washes his feet, every sin his feet committed will be washed away with the water, or with the last drop of water; until he finally emerges cleansed of all his sins.” [Muslim]

“After ablution, we get the chance to make a du’a whose reward is having all the doors of Jannah opened for us.”
Husaynah helped her daughter in listing the facts.

“Whoever of you performs Wudu carefully and then affirms: 'Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallahu Wahdahu la sharika Lahu, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa Rasuluhu, Allahumma j’alnii Mina ttawwaabiin waj’alnii minal mutwatahhiriin waj’alnii min I’baadika sswaalihiin. [I testify that there so no true god except Allah Alone, Who has no partners and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger O Allah make me among those who repent and those who purify themselves and make me among your righteous servants.],’ the eight gates of Jannah are opened for him. He may enter through whichever of these gates he desires (to enter).” [Muslim]

“Also, you told me ablution is the adornment of the people of Jannah.”

“In Jannah, our adornment will reach where our ablution reaches. Abu Hurayrah was seen exceeding the washing beyond the obligatory limits and when asked he stated that hadith.” Husaynah taught her daughter.

In a famous hadith in Sahih Muslim, Abu Hazim reported:
“I was (standing) behind Abu Huraira and he was performing the ablution for prayer. He extended the (washing) of his hand that it went up to his armpit. I said to him: ‘O Abu Huraira, what is this ablution?’ He said: ‘O of the tribe of Faruukh, you are here; if I knew that you were here, I would have never performed ablution like this; I have heard my Friend ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) say. In a believer adornment would reach the places where ablution reaches.’”
(Note how he prefers to Nabi may peace be upon him as his friend. May Allah be pleased with you O Abu Hurayrah.)

“Jazaakillaah kheyr mother. Let me go and take ablution then.” Salma left for the washroom outside whereas Husaynah used the one in her room.
Afterwards they met in their prayer room - which was in fact a guest room – and Salma led her mother in swalaah. After prayer and reciting adhkar of Swalaah, they both stood up and prayed their two involuntary units after Isha’a known as ba’diyyah.

“I didn’t see you reading today, will you manage to recite Qur-an now?” Husaynah asked Salma. Because Salma was unwell the whole day she believed that most likely she hadn’t reached her day’s target which was five ajzaa’ (plural of juz’ in Qur-an).

Such was a normal target for all who have completed memorizing the Holy Book. Those who were careful not to forget what they memorized were ever keen to complete it all by six days as that would help them not to loose what they had gained.

“I only managed three. But now I am feeling better so I will try finishing the remaining two.”

“Okay Habibty. I hope you don’t end up falling asleep.” Just like loads of other youth, sleep was directly proportional to books and inversely proportional to mobile phones. How it happens, Allah knows best.

Husaynah said her goodbyes and left for her room. She always slept early because she loved being sober by the time she woke up for Qiyaam.

Salma only recited half her target and felt too sleepy, so she too got up and headed to her room. By the time, she was on her bed, all sleep miraculously evaporated and she felt tempted to use her phone and peruse through.

She defeated her nafs that night as she restrained herself from picking her phone. If I’m tired to recite then I am pretty much tired to use this too. She told herself and with that switched off her room’s light to sleep. Because she was tired she ended up reciting only a few sleeping prayers before joining dream land.

Later that night, her mother woke her up for Qiyaam and they went through the same routine. Praying Qiyaam doing istighfar and praying fajr together.

After Fajr they both read their morning adhkar and both of them recited Qur-an. When sunrise reached they waited for twenty minutes and prayed their post sunrise prayer known as Ishraaq.

It was amazing how such great deeds were subhanallaah so light on them. They were a proof that Allah always assists those who struggle to remain steadfast on the straight path.

So long as you are sincere and your intentions pure,

Then O my dear, do not have fear,

Just take that step and be sure, that your Lord shall always be there.

It’s Allah the Almighty that helped Salma be keen on reciting a sixth of the whole Qur-an every single day. It’s the same Allah that helped her mother wake up for Qiyaam every single day without any alarm. It’s again Allah who helps us manage to pray all our five prayers or be obedient to our parents or recite our daily portion of the Qur-an, so, what makes us think that, we cannot be like so and so in other deeds?

قال تعالى: والذين جاهدوا فينا لنهدينهم سبلنا.
And those who strive for Us -  We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good.
(Suratul Ankabuut)

All it takes is us to take the first step with strong determination and the rest is upon Allah. At the end of the day It All depends on us. May Allah help all who are struggling in pleasing Him. Amiin.

“Once you are done please remind Tasneem about going to Az-Zahraa.” Tasneem being a kindergarten teacher was always free during her afternoons. She had told Husaynah to always inform her whenever she was called to give speeches in public. Tasneem always enjoyed listening to Husaynah.

“Alright. In Sha Allah.” Salma was sleepy so she avoided talking much in order to keep her sleep intact.

With that, Salma went back to her room to get some cozy sleep. Astaghfirullah. (I seek Allah’s forgiveness). She chanted that dhikr for a few minutes before sleep overtook her.

Husaynah too lied down as she had woken up earlier than her daughter. An hour later when she woke up, made her bed then headed to the kitchen and prepared breakfast.

Once she was done, she decided to take a bath as her daughter was still asleep and she disliked to wake her up. After her bath and looking good, she picked a notebook and started preparing what she was going to say at the school.

As she was on that task, her daughter woke up.
اَلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذي أَحْيَانَا بَعْدَ مَا أَمَاتَنَا وَإِلَيْهِ النُّشُورُ
Praise is to Allah Who gives us life after He has caused us to die and to Him is the return.

Knowing that her mother might probably be waiting for her in order to have breakfast she refreshed and hurriedly joined her mother.

“Assalaam Alaykum warahmatullaah wabarakatuh, Ummii.” She greeted her mother with full energy and Husaynah didn’t regret not waking her up.

“Waalaykumussalam warahmatullaah wabarakatuh. How do you feel?”

“Am fiiiiiine like sunshiiiiiine. It’s a morning.. keep smiling.. be amazing.. Ooo.. ” Salma sang with a high pitch and it didn’t need a genius to realize that she had just invented it at that particular moment. Her mother just shook her head.

“Yumma, next time just wake me up. I don’t want you to have breakfast late.” She said hugging her mother from one side.

“I was about to wake you up but I was worried whether your head was still aching.”

“No. Mom Alhamdulillaah. The water with Al-faatihah which you gave to me really helped Alhamdulillaah.”

The previous day Husaynah had recited Al-faatihah in a glass of water for her daughter to drink.

Surah al-Fatiha is the cure for the disease as mentioned in the hadith:
Hazrat Abu Saeed al-Khudri narrates:
“While on a journey we halted at a place. A girl came to us and said: “The chief of this tribe has been stung by a scorpion and our men are not present, is there anybody amongst you who can recite something upon him to treat him?” Then, one of our men went along with her although we did not think that he knew any such treatment. However, our friend went to the chief and recited something upon him and the chief was cured. Thereupon, the chief gave him thirty sheep and gave us all milk to drink. When he returned, we asked our friend: “Did you know anything to recite upon him to cure him?” He said: “No, I only recited Umm al-Kitab (i.e. Surah al-Fatiha) upon him.” We said that do not do anything until we reach Madinah and ask the Prophet regarding this (practice and reward-whether the sheep were lawful or not for us). Upon reaching Madinah, we narrated this to the Prophet (PBUH), whereupon he remarked: “How did he come to know that Al-Fatiha can be used as a cure? (PBUH) Distribute your reward amongst yourselves and a lot a share for me as well”.” (Sahih Bukhari)

So after their meal, Salma washed the dishes and then went back to clean her bedroom. She remembered she hadn’t fulfilled her promise of texting Tasneem so she did so right away.

“Yumma told me you aren’t feeling well. How are you now?” – Tasnii

“Habibtyy, Allaah yashfiik *a big hug*.” – Tasnii

“Have a nice sleep ukhty ❤️.” – Tasnii

She had not seen those texts the previous night as she she had not checked her phone.

“Assalaam Alaykum habibtyy. Jazaakillaah kheyr for all the love, I am now fine Alhamdulillaah. How have you been?
Don’t forget it’s Az-zahraa today am so excited. *smiles cheerfully*” – Salma

A few more minutes on her phone then she cleared her room and as an after thought she sent another text to her friend.

I miss you soo much 'his' beauty *winks* – Salma

Satisfied with her banter she picked her clothes and went for a bath. She was different from the classy girls who took hours only to decide what to wear when they had wardrobes and wardrobes full of clothings.

Hers were few and few were the second she used to pick her choice for the day. As long as she wasn’t attending a function where she would take off her abayah, anything was fine for her.

She joined her mother and found that she had completed preparing for her speech.

“Ummi. Why don’t we set the timetable now?” Salma was eager to learn those Ibn Katheer tafseer (Qur-an translation books).

“No problem Habibty. Just give me that diary from the shelf.” The next hour was spent on the timetable and chatting.

“Oh look, it’s time for Dhuha. Let’s go and pray.” Husaynah informed her daughter.

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen defined it (time for Dhuha) as being from a quarter of an hour after the sun has risen until ten minutes before Zuhr prayer.
Al-Sharh al-Mumti’, 4/122

So all of this period is the time for Duha prayer.
It is better to pray it after the sun’s heat has become intense, because
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “It is preferable to offer Duha prayer when the sun’s heat has become so intense that even the young of the camels feel it.”
Narrated by Muslim, 748
Ibn Baaz: Majmoo’ Fataawa, 11/395

They wouldn’t be having lunch that day because they had breakfast late. Whenever they ate breakfast lunch they would use that opportunity to skip lunch so as to save food for the days that followed.

So after praying their Dhuha prayer which Salma offered four and her mother six [She had already prayed two on Ishraaq as most scholars believe that Ishraaq (post sunrise) prayer is Dhuha at the beginning of its time].

Salma busied herself with scrubbing the toilets and in no time, Dhuhr time had reached.

As she got ready for Swalaah, her phone buzzed. It was Tasneem calling.
“Assalaam Alaykum my beautiful I mean his beautiful…” Salma always felt the need to cheer her loved ones. And tease them. It didn’t matter where they were down or already high, she always spread love to them.
“… Princess.” She added.

“Haha.” Tasneem said and Salma could imagine her shaking her head.

“I am not asking how you’re doing cause it’s clear. I am about to leave for home in a few minutes In Sha Allah. Should I come by your place or we shall meet there?”

“Mom said it’s better if we just meet there because your place is nearer than ours.”

“Okay In Sha Allah. I need to go back home to pray Dhuhr and refresh. Is it at two or three?”

“It’s at two, don’t be late.” Salma squealed.

“In Shaa Allah, Ma’Ssalaam dear.”

“Ma’ Ssalaam.”

Then Salma joined her mother in the prayer room and they both prayed their four involuntary units before Dhuhr. After the Dhuhr jama’ah they added the two involuntary units after it.

The six units were part of the Rawaatib. (The involuntary units prayed before or after the obligatory swalah whose reward is a house in Jannah.) The Rawaatib prayers are the sunnah of our beloved Prophet may peace be upon him.

“I think we should be leaving by now.” Husaynah suggested to her daughter.

“Yes. I’ll go and wear my Hijaab.”

After they were both ready, they locked their house and recited their du’a for leaving the house.

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ تَوَكَّلْـتُ عَلَى اللَّهِ، وَلاَ حَوْلَ وَلاَ قُـوَّةَ إِلاَّ بِاللَّهِ
In the Name of Allah, I have placed my trust in Allah, there is no might and no power except by Allah.

They boarded a public bus and arrived at the school a while later.
“Assalaam Alaykum warahmatullaah wabarakatuh.” Salma greeted Tasneem as she took the chair beside her. The presence of people stopped her form combusting her energy.

“Waalaykumussalam warahmatullaah wabarakatuh.” Tasneem responded with a handshake followed by pecks on cheeks.

Husaynah was offered to the front table where speakers sat. The function was taking place in the school hall and to Husaynah’s delight it was a ladies only function.

The Az-Zahraa school was on a clubs week where each day clubs would display various activities and events organized by the members of the club.
That day it was turn for the Da’wah club.

Firstly, the club was introduced and its programs and achievements listed down briefly then it was followed by girls singing nasheed.
They chose:
سألوني قالو كيفما هذا الثبات...
و حولنا فتن تهز الراسيات...

They asked me saying, how do you manage to be this steadfast?
While around us are temptations that make heads turn,
Doesn’t this Era of enticement and lusts delude you?
Doesn’t your soul desire this type of life?

I responded to them with a heart full of pride,
That my soul doesn’t desire pleasures that are lacking,
When you desired I too desired just like you did,
But my goals shall remain till forever,

I want a mansion that is not threatened to demise,
And I want (eternal) life that is not cut (short) by death,
I want a husband like (Prophet) Yusuf in beauty,
And I want rivers under my mansion flowing,

Thus, if our minds do not get us to the Paradise,
Then our life is not life but death,
And ahead of us is a grave that causes minds to age,
And its darkness is feared by all forms of darkness,

And after it is Resurrection and Judgement,
And he who comes with sins shall be at loss,
And Our Lord shall ask us on each sin,
And He will ask us concerning the eyes that see,
And He will ask concerning the tongue,
And He will ask about each moment in life,

So my demands have exceeded confused and baffled minds,
So do not blame me and that is the secret behind my steadfastness,
Dogs bark but they do not harm the clouds,
The winds blow yet the mountains are still firm,
Some Eyes have slept yet others are awake,
Spending night praying to the One who responds to prayers,

So that is her endeavor; the eternal gardens
And that is her endeavor of embellishment and ornaments.

"Aaaww Tasneem this is so beautiful. I have never heard this poem." Salma whispered to Tasneem.

"Me neither. We will search it in YouTube afterwards in Sha Allah. I really loved the message subhanallaah may Allah grant us that steadfastness."

After the heart touching nasheed there was a short dialogue and then two students gave short reminders; through a hadith and an ayah.

The hadith was,
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بَدَأَ الإِسْلاَمُ غَرِيبًا وَسَيَعُودُ كَمَا بَدَأَ غَرِيبًا فَطُوبَى لِلْغُرَبَاءِ‏
145 صحيح مسلم

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Islam began as a something strange and it will return to being strange, so blessed are the strangers.”
Source: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 145.

And the ayah was,
Allah azza wa jalla said,
وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَاتَّبَعَتْهُمْ ذُرِّيَّتُهُمْ بِإِيمَانٍ أَلْحَقْنَا بِهِمْ ذُرِّيَّتَهُمْ وَمَا أَلَتْنَاهُمْ مِنْ عَمَلِهِمْ مِنْ شَيْءٍ ۚ كُلُّ امْرِئٍ بِمَا كَسَبَ رَهِينٌ
And those who believed and whose descendants followed them in faith -  We will join with them their descendants, and We will not deprive them of anything of their deeds. Every person, for what he earned, is retained.
-Sura At-Tur, Ayah 21.

After that the M.C. invited Husaynah to give out her speech. “Assalaam Alaykum warahmatullaah wabarakatuh beautiful girls.” She greeted as she let her gaze roam all around the room.

A chorus of waalaykumussalam warahmatullaah wabarakatuh coursed through the hall as her smile was reflected back.

“How is everybody?” She went on.

“Fine.” The students replied.

“Aalhaaa…?” and the girls all repeated after her, “Alhamdulillaah.” as some of them laughed loving the way they were reminded.

“Today I am so happy. Subhanallaah I am so happy to see our girls have come up with such a great and fruitful event.

Maa Sha Allah. May Allah bless you lovely ones. I am so proud of you my girls. The poem has touched my heart and the verse and hadith that followed subhanallaah really hit home.

Today, we will learn about Self  Control. When my sister here…” She placed her arm on their teacher’s shoulder, “called me for a speech, I thought that Self control will be the best topic to deliver and from the few events that have preceded my speech I believe it links well, right?”

She paused as the girls nodded and some shouted out loud that it did.

“Self Control is all about Choosing to do what is right even when I feel like doing wrong.

Allah says in His book in Suratul Aali Imran,
زُيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ حُبُّ الشَّهَوَاتِ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ وَالْبَنِينَ وَالْقَنَاطِيرِ الْمُقَنْطَرَةِ مِنَ الذَّهَبِ وَالْفِضَّةِ وَالْخَيْلِ الْمُسَوَّمَةِ وَالْأَنْعَامِ وَالْحَرْثِ ۗ ذَٰلِكَ مَتَاعُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا ۖ وَاللَّهُ عِنْدَهُ حُسْنُ الْمَآبِ
Beautified for people is the love of that which they desire -  of women and sons, heaped-up sums of gold and silver, fine branded horses, and cattle and tilled land. That is the enjoyment of worldly life, but Allah has with Him the best return.
-Sura Aali Imran, Ayah 14.

Allah created this soul and granted it the love of desire. We call them hobbies or ambitions or passions. It’s what Allah has decreed for the soul that it may love enjoying and being entertained.

And the wise among us is the one who controls his soul rather than allowing his soul to control him.

This topic is very vast but I will focus from the perspective of thabat – steadfastness-. The reason why Fatma doesn’t attend to mixed parties while Ruhayma does is because Fatma controlled her soul while Ruhayma’s soul controlled her.

Why Nusayba stays away from boys while Amina hugs them also falls under the same case.

And I want you girls to know this, not everyone who sins enjoys sinning, I can guarantee you that everyone who sins has this void and uneasiness in his or her heart.

I am a counselor, I talk to so many youths and wallahy all of them confess to me that they don’t like the feeling when they date, they don’t like it when they smoke, they don’t like it when they don’t wear hijab. Their mistake is that they gave up on themselves. They let their souls rule them.

So, how does one get herself to be able to control her soul? We must know that this is a very important question because Allah has told us that He doesn’t change the situation of a people unless they change what’s in their hearts.

Someone tell me please, what did I say self control is all about?”

One of the girls raised her hand and when allowed she said, “It’s about choosing not to do bad when you badly want to.”

“Maa Sha Allah good. Jazaakillah kheyr. So self control is knowing I can but deciding I won’t.

The basic key in self control is STOP. Those who have pens and papers note this down; S stands for Stop, T for Think, O is for Outcome, What will happen? And P is for pleasure. Does it give you and your loved ones pleasure. Most importantly does it give your Lord pleasure?

This is not something acquired over night. It’s a process which needs one to never give up. It’s a constant battle.

Just because your soul beat you once, doesn’t mean you can’t win and your weapons are vast. Knowledge, prayer, repentance, pious friends and most important strong determination.

Self Control we can say is the key to success. Not just in this World but also in the Hereafter, Allah says,
وَأَمَّا مَنْ خَافَ مَقَامَ رَبِّهِ وَنَهَى النَّفْسَ عَنِ الْهَوَىٰ
فَإِنَّ الْجَنَّةَ هِيَ الْمَأْوَىٰ
But as for he who feared the position of his Lord and prevented the soul from [unlawful] inclination,
Then indeed, Paradise will be [his] refuge.
-Sura An-Nazi’at, Ayah 40 & 41

Know your PRINCIPLES and stick to them. I don’t shake hands with males must stay I don’t shake hands with males. Whether your parents are present or absent you won’t shake hands with males.

Be determined, you are a strong girl. Have that I HAVE TO attitude and don’t give up easily.

Repeat after me, I HAVE TO!” Husaynah paused to give them time to repeat.

“Louder!” She ordered and the girls
repeated again.

“Say I HAVE TO pray on time… I HAVE TO obey my parents… I HAVE TO score high marks in my exams… I HAVE TO stop listening to music… I HAVE TO stop ignoring the Qur-an…”

“Yes! And the highest one is I HAVE TO MAKE IT TO JANNAH…” All the girls repeated with high enthusiasm that matched with their speaker.

“AND I WILL BIIDHNILLAAH!!” Then, Husaynah raised her fore arm high in the air and the girls copied her.

“Our Motto is IT ALL DEPENDS ON ME!!!”

“IT ALL DEPENDS ON MEEEEEEE!!”

“Alhamdulillaah.” Husaynah smiled happy to see the girls enjoying her lecture. “Before I go, everyone look at your partner beside you and tell them, sister you will make it to Jannah and I Ask Allah to take you there.”

The girls did so and at that moment their teacher went at the front and said those words to her then gave her a warm hug. She had tears in her eyes when she addressed her students,

“Did you enjoy the talk?”

“Yeeeeeeeeeeeesss!”

“Should we call her again?”

“Yeeees.” “Let her speak more.” “Every daaaaaaaay.” The girls shouted.

“Next time in Shaa Allah. And for those who need to talk to her more because as she told us, she is a counselor, you may come to me later in Sha Allah and I will give you her contacts.”

After Husaynah was done it was followed by the members listing down their challenges where the student emphasized on stigmatization from their fellow students being the worst challenge and Salma could relate to it the best as she graduated high school with zero friends as each of them thought she was too extreme.

Then their teacher gave a short speech followed by the school principal and some snacks and drinks were distributed throughout.

Right before it ended, the club’s president addressed her fellow students, “Assalaam Alaykum.”

“Waalaykum salaam.” Everyone replied.

“I believe we have all enjoyed today. Alhamdulillah. Now we have a little contest. There is an icing cake here prepared by us the club’s members. So, this contest is for those outside the club; come up with a quote related to Islam. The one with the best quote will win this cake.”

It was a simple icing chocolate cake written welcome to Daawah Club on top.

One girl raised her hand immediately and said, “Live by The Sunnah and Pave your way to Jannah.” She said hers loudly and everyone shouted Maa Shaa Allah. Their teacher had forbidden the from clapping as it was the act of the Christians and not part of Islamic culture.

Next the girls kept on raising their hands,
“Give from your wealth, before you meet your death.”

“Dear soul, if you obey me we will both bloom but if you rule me we will both be doomed.”

“Islam came as a stranger,
And it will return as so,
Glad tidings to those,
Who in Dunya good deeds they sow.”

“I think I know what Resurrection feels like cause my Lord gave me a second life the day I chose to repent.”

“Real is the struggle,
in being firm on religion,
but I won’t give up this battle
cause I now know my weapon.” That one specially touched Husaynah.

The girls were so good that the club members wished they could just embrace them all and have them join their group.

“Love who matters not who shatters.
Allah and His prophet matter while Shaytan and his party shatter.”

“It’s a wonder how I get everything I want when the only prayer I make is Ya Rabb grant my mother all that she desires.”

Each of them was applauded until the last girl closed the contest and Husaynah was surprised to be the judge. She couldn’t because with all honesty she loved all the poems so her decision was,

“Get a knife and cut the cakes into equal pieces for all the contestants to share. I loved each and every quote Maa Sha Allaah.”

“Then I also have a quote.” Their teacher joked, “I have to make it to Jannah cause it all depends on me.”
The girls applauded their teacher as everyone laughed. Husaynah’s suggestion was put into action.

With that a du’a was prayed and it was time to get home.

By the time they were leaving, everyone was happy and Salma thought she was the happiest.

She felt so touched on how the young students motivated each other in pleasing Allah and she was very proud of the girls’ act of baking that cake because by the time they left there was a long cue registering their names to join the Daawah club.

“Tasneem that was so sweet and touching.” Salma told her sister as they stood by one of the benches out side the hall waiting for Husaynah who was busy receiving warm hugs from the girls.

“Yeah subhanallaah, I really adore these girls May Allah protect them. And yumma’s speech was the best. I am so thankful that I didn’t miss it. Subhanallaah, I am so weak when it comes to self control.” Tasneem had that worry most of us have.

Salma smiled at her friend. A sincere smile full of reassurance, “Habibty we all are. But the best of us are those who don’t give up. So long as we do our best we will make it in Jannah in Sha Allah. Don’t forget Habibty, ‘It All depends on Me’.” Salma chanted the motto of the day.

“You are one of my strongest weapons. I love you for Allah’s sake little sis.” Tasneem spoke from her heart.

“I love you too ukhty. May the Almighty love you. And may brother Aliy love you too.” She teased her friend earning herself a light smack on her shoulder.

The day ended well all thanks to the Almighty and all left for their homes with happy hearts and stronger determinations.
_________________

One, I couldn't find any translation for that nasheed by Abu A'bdulMalik. So, I tried translating it myself.

Two, the Self Control speech made by Husaynah is from a lecture I heard in one seminar delivered by Counselor Madiha Salim. May Allah bless her.

Three, the nasheed in Arabic, for those interested, (also in the video above).

سألونى قالوا كيفما هذا الثبات ..وحولنا فتن تهز الراسيات

أليس يغريكى زمان الشهوات.. أليس تشتهى نفسك هذه الحياة

فأجبتهم والقلب يملؤه اعتزاز..لا تشتهى نفسى لذائذ ناقصات

لما اشتهيتم اشتهيت مثلكم..لكن اهدافى ستبقى خالدات

اريد قصرا لا يهدده زوال..أريد عيشا ليس يقطعه ممات

أريد زوجا مثل يوسف فى الجمال..وأريد انهارا بقصرى جاريات

فعقولنا إن لم تبلغنا الجنان..فحياتنا ليست حياة بل ممات

فأمامنا قبر تشيب له العقول..وظلامه تخاف منه الظلمات

وبعده حشر ونشر وحساب ..وسوف يخسر من أتى بالسيئات

وسوف يسأل ربنا عن الخطا.. وسائل عن العيون المبصرات

وسائل عن اللسان والجنان..وسائل عن كل لحظة بالحياة

فمطالبى فاقت عقول الحائرات ..فلاتلومونى فذا سر الثبات

نبح الكلاب لكن ما ضر السحاب..هبت رياح والجبال ثابتات

نامت عيون وعيون ساهرات ..باتت تصلى لمجيب الدعوات

فتلك همتها جنان خالدات.. وتلك همتها زخرفة العباة