Bismillahi Rrahmaan Rraheem

Appreciation is a trait I adore... Saying it less and showing it more.

I love this chapter more than I love my chocolate cake.
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"We're going to meet at the Masjid for I'sha in Sha Allah, right?" Sulayman reminded Abdullah as he passed by him sitting at one of the gardens. It was his time to head to the prison and visit his heart. Also, they had already talked that Sulayman was going to meet someone hence the reason why he wouldn't make it home before Isha where he would just directly head to the Masjid.

"Sure, In Sha Allah. My regards to Ummu Ashur. Urge her to have Sabr." Abdullah felt bad as he would every time the thought that his friend's wife and many Muslim women remained behind bars in oppression.

"Alright. Any thing else?" Sulayman asked ready to aid his beloved brother. They totally lived by the notion that Muslims are but brothers always aiding each other.

"I'm fine, after Asr, we were called for a meeting, Rihla told me a meeting had been scheduled for all the non teaching workers and after that I guess I'll head home directly in Sha Allah." Abdullah told his friend with a large smile on his face. Indirectly assuring him that he was doing totally fine.

"Oh, may nothing but good come out of that meeting. Now, Assalaam Alaykum warahmatullaah wabarakatuh." Sulayman bid his friend. He wasn't called to that meeting because the canteen Sulayman worked at wasn't under the university's authority. It belonged to one rich man who had rented the area, so it wasn't a surprise when neither Sulayman nor his pal Sam were included in that meeting.

"Waalaykumussalam warahmatullaah wabarakatuh, I leave you under Allah's care." Abdullah responded as they shook hands.

"And I leave you under His protection."

With the bidding, Sulayman boarded the bus towards the prison and as he sat inside it as usual, his thoughts were clouded with anticipation and anxiety. The feeling was all too familiar yet one he could never get used to. The yearning to free his beloved from the enemy's clutches.

Allahumma hasten my wife's release and the release of all Muslim Prisoners.

He prayed as all weak servants do, believing from the bottom of his heart that his prayers are heard for Allah is The Hearing and The Seeing.

And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me - indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided.
[Suratul Baqarah 186.]

And when my servants ask you concerning me.. Allah knows we would ask of Him. He knows we would seek Him in times of agony and anxiety, in times of hardships and in times of tribulations so He tells our beloved Prophet upon Him may peace be, that

Indeed I am near.. There's a difference between tell them I am near and indeed I am near. It is a confirmation and reassurance from Him to us directly; that He, Al-Mujeeb, would answer our prayers. He would heal our wounds and patch our heart breaks because He is near and He truly cares.

He is near? What's so special about being near? Allah clarifies, I respond the the invocation of the supplicant when He calls upon me. Allah Akbar! All we have to do is call. Call with utmost sincerity, honest devotion and truthful reliance upon Him our Lord, for He has promised us that He responds to the invocation.

To see the C.E.O of a certain company we need to meet his secretary,

to see the Manager we need to pass the receptionist's inquiry,

to see the President gah! Let's not talk of the impossible

and we need an appointment before seeing the Principal,

to meet the doctor we need to wait on cue, yeah

and even to see our relatives we need to check if they are available, but Allah!

To our Merciful Beautiful Lord all
we have to do is call.

So let them respond to me.. Let them believe in me.

He felt a sudden rush of emotions as he pondered on the last part of the ayah. Subhanallah, how neglectful is a son of Adam. Dwelling in grief and drowning in sorrow when he has a Merciful Lord, The King of the Kings calling onto him from above the Throne, that Respond to me i.e. Hear my call and believe in me..

I believe in you my Lord, that the hardship we are going through right now is part of your decree,
I believe in you my Lord even if I feel like despairing, even if I feel like my path is blocked and there is no way out
I believe that Allah! You hear my supplications and your victory is as near as you Are!

I ask you of patience and I ask you of contentment to all that you have Destined for us.

Sulayman prayed for he hoped that he may be among those who may be [rightly] guided.

He stayed in that state, throughout the journey relishing in the strength he felt just through thinking well (husn dhann) of Allah.

Years back, he was just another muslim searching for steadfastness, He recalled how he yearned to be among the guided, to be among those who lived a happy life with no other goal than pleasing His Lord. He lived his life through disappointments after disappointments as every other day was a proof that his Imaan fell more than it rose but then as he sat on that bus, he just uttered a heartfelt Alhamdulillaah from the bottom of his heart.

For he had found the answer to his question. The answer he had taken so long to discover and now that He has found it, he could never be more thankful, for the secret to steadfastness; he learnt, is Loving Allah.

Yes! To love Allah in a way that His thoughts fill your mind in whichever state you're in.

To love Allah in a way that you take Him as your best friend. Where you confide in him all your secrets, share with him your happy moments and seek his sympathy in sad ones.

To love Allah in a way that rather than dragging your heart to trust Him, it's your heart dragging you to Him.

Loving Him till you reach that stage where nothing more matters except pleasing Him, The one, The Merciful, The Loving and The Kind.

He could feel hot tears fall down his cheeks as he reminisced his old days. Just like a teen realizes his crush is no longer a mere crush but true feelings and love has developed, Sulayman had been through such a phase when his heart had tasted the Divine Love of Arrahmaan.

Be to Allah as He wishes and He will be to you more than you can wish for.
- Ibn Al-Qayyim Al-Jawziy.

It was in prison. He could recall very well. It was his first Ramadhan in prison and Sulayman was locked in isolation. He had made a resolution to read the Qur-an with contemplation during that Ramadhan and subhanallaah it was a miracle how despite not being a student of Tafseer (Qur'an translation) Sulayman could feel every ayah as if it was addressing him directly.

There is the Magical feeling every lover is well acquainted with whenever they come across the charm of their loved ones. Lovers talk of smiles, writers praise honesty, poets chant about truthfulness and singers sing on shapes and figures.

To Sulayman, it was the Qur-an. He was charmed by the wise words and the vast verses. The miraculous message, capturing chapters and the soothing surahs behind each letter he read drove him into a world of his own, he couldn't really describe how nor point out the exact time but amidst the pondering and reflecting the Qur-an he had been fully charmed and Ah! What a sweet charm it was to be trapped in the Love of Allah.

If Qur-an was a World, then his Paris would be the last verses of Suratul Furqan talking of The Servants of The Most Merciful.

(وَعِبَادُ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ هَوْنًا وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ الْجَاهِلُونَ قَالُوا سَلَامًا)
[Surat Al-Furqan 63]

And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth easily, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace,

And those who spend [part of] the night to their Lord prostrating and standing [in prayer]

And those who say, "Our Lord, avert from us the punishment of Hell. Indeed, its punishment is ever adhering;

Indeed, it is evil as a settlement and residence."
[Al-Furqan 64 - 66]

The bus came to a halt beside a large wall whose gate was written Maximum Prison. Sulayman rose from his seat and descended reciting the du'a in the process .

(وَقُلْ رَبِّ أَنْزِلْنِي مُنْزَلًا مُبَارَكًا وَأَنْتَ خَيْرُ الْمُنْزِلِينَ)
[Surat Al-Mu'minun 29]

And say, 'My Lord, let me land at a blessed landing place, and You are the best to accommodate [us].' "

After a short inquiry from the officer at the gate, Sulayman proceeded towards the female reception to see his wife who was held behind those four walls.

He was engaged in adhkar throughout his walk as he attempted to calm his nervous heart and chase away the feeling of anxiety.

Laa Hawla wa Laa Quwwata Illaa Billah.. There is no Mighty no power except by Allah.

He attested to the Strength and Power of the Greatest Lord, Free from any imperfection.

Subhanallaah wa bihamdih.. Glorified is Allah and All praise belong to Him.

"Brother Sulayman! Is that you?" He heard a voice calling his name. "It's you. Allah Akbar!" His acquaintance sounded excited to see him, "Assalam Alaykum warahmatullaah wabarakatuh brother." He had reached him by then and had his hand extended awaiting a hand shake.

"Waalaykumussalam warahmatullaah wabarakatuh Ahlaan Brother! What a delight." Sulayman too was beyond happy to recognize that person. He used to be his fellow Inmate. An Ex-prisoner just like himself.

"Subhanallaah. Subhanallaah, I still can't believe it's really you I'm talking to." Khalid exclaimed with a big smile.

"It's me Habibi. I have come to visit my wife. We still haven't managed to release her." Sulayman explained with a low voice. He didn't want to sound pitiful but his emotions gave him away.

"Ya Allah! Brother, thousand apologies. You better hurry before the time expires, I can wait for you right outside the gate, what do you think?" Khalid proposed trying not to sound sympathetic either. He knew well that the weak never admired pitiful looks nor quotes for he had been there as well.

"Great idea. Let me hurry then. It won't be long before I am back brother. Assalamualaykum." Sulayman politely excused himself.

"Waalaykumussalam brother. HayyakaAllah (May Allah preserve you)."

He parted from his friend with a smile on his face. Khalid was a brother whose greatest concern was to see others happy. Like how the Prophet's may peace be upon him's wife, Sayyidah Zaynab was nicknamed the Mother of The Poor, Khalid well deserved the nickname Father of the Prisoners.

And what a caring Father he was.

In no time, Sulayman was standing outside the female's prison's reception, after booking his name in the Visit Book he headed to the waiting area as per the norm and awaited his wife.

It was peaceful that day as he seemed to be the only visitor occupying the waiting area. He indulged himself in reciting the Qur-an trying to ignore the heartbeats that spelled out his beloved's wife, Juweyriya.

Juwayriyah. The mother of the faithful. May Allah be pleased with Her and may He please her.

Sulayman recalled back when he would praise his wife after learning from the Mother of the Faithful's story in the book Women Around the Messenger.

The Mother of the faithful A'ishah, said, "I know of no woman who brought greater blessings to her people than did Juwayriyah."

"And my Juwayriyah, you have brought great blessings to us as well. How blessed we all are to have you." Sulayman would always tell that his wife being impressed by the courage and faith his wife possessed.

One of the signs of his wife's high faith was when she always adhered to the sunnah which The Mother of The Faithful, Juwayriyah particularly adhered to, the sunnah of remaining by the praying mat until forenoon remembering her Creator.

The author of Women Around The Messenger wrote,
Juwayriyah was at the beginning of her Islam, the source of good and blessing: that was her first credit.

She had another credit in excellent adherence to the teachings of Islam and the sincerity of her faith. This had to be so because she was in the household of the Prophet (may peace be upon him), in a place where Allah's clear verses were being revealed to the Prophet (may peace be upon him).

Sulayman knew of the hadith well. The hadith that in a few words perfectly displays to us the sincere love this companion had for Allah.

Ibn Abbas narrated that Juwayriyah's original name was Barrah, so the Messenger of Allah may peace be upon him named her Juwayriyah. He then said, "The Prophet may peace be upon him, prayed Fajr prayer and then left her apartment. He stayed out until forenoon and then came while she was still at her place of prayer. She told him, 'I have remained here ever since you left.' The Prophet may peace be upon him advised her, 'I have recited four phrases of remembrance (of Allah) three times since I left you, and if these were to be weighed against what you have recited since morning, they would outweigh.

(These words are): Praise be to Allah as much as the number of His creation, His Exalted pleasure, the weight of His Throne and the Ink (used in recording) words (for His praise).'"

"Jurey's visitor." An officer announced from the reception causing the heart of the subject to constrict. Cool down my heart, be contented as your Lord will never leave you hurt.

Sulayman walked as quickly as a walking person can, not willing to waste a second before seeing his wife.
And Alas! The heart got to see the raiser of its beats, and the eyes gazed into the very being that kept them awake at night.

"Assalaaam Alaykum warahmatullaah wabarakatuh." Juweyriya bashfully greeted.

"Waalaykumussalam warahmatullaah wabarakatuh." Sulayman responded with a crispy manly voice as he let out a small cough. The way the officer behind his wife gazed at him made him uncomfortable.

Something he was used to by then considering the fact that he was a foreigner in that land. Not to mention the countenance that graces his handsome face due to the constant night and day prayers.

"How have you been?" He addressed his wife, masking the discomfort. "Alhamdulillaah." Juweyriya responded, her gaze fixed on her husband, "and how have you been?" She went on.

"Alhamdulillaah, no complains. Your regards from brother Abdullah." He relayed and Juweyriya smiled, relishing to the great neemah of brotherhood Allah specifically granted to the believers. "Jazakallah kheyr send my regards to him too. What about the boy, Ajmaal? Is he okay? Did you give him the notebook?"

There Sulayman covered his eyes, a habit of his whenever he is caught guilty, "Haven't seen him in quite a while and subhanallaah I totally forgot about the notebook."

"You probably have a lot in mind. May  Allah ease your burden dear." Juweyriya overlooked the fact that her husband forgot something so precious because for her, whenever she remembered and prayed for her son she would also include that young man Ajmaal.

"Ameen." Sulayman let out another voluntary cough. "I need to ask you something about Al'awdah.

Tell me that Bayt Primary School, do we send Ummu Dahdah using the government transport or we seek our own private?

We were talking with brother Abdullah and he suggested that Ummu Dahdah..." He narrowed his eyes a bit at this point trying to alert her to listen more carefully, "Since she doesn't have the school card, it may be a bit difficult to use the government transportation."

He meant to ask her if it's possible for her to enroll as a foreigner and use the deportation system in order to reach home. Sulayman was passing the message in riddles because once the officers realized that Juweyriya did not have any national or foreign identification she would not be allowed to walk freely and instead be deported. And they couldn't risk that unless they were sure if the deportation was safe.

Juweyriya, the smart woman she was, grasped the meaning immediately. Al'awdah meant the return Bayt Primary School meant home and Ummu Dahdah was her own nickname.

"I am not really sure about it," She started with a serious tone, the gravity of the question sinking in. "We loose part of our memories behind these walls and I can't really recall which one's better." Here she gave a tight lipped smile and Sulayman smiled back sensing the meaning behind that phrase. She was probably referring to the fact that Sulayman forgot about the notebook; intending to console her that it was indeed normal for prisoners to end up loosing memory.

Back to the question in hand Juweyriya added, "That day when Ummu Dahdah was first taken to Madrasatu Yusuf you know Mus'ab didn't wait for her and he is the one who takes care of those who use government transport. It's a bit tricky to still choose the same."

A quick glance behind his wife, Sulayman was relieved that the supervising officer was lost in her own world thinking of Allah knows what. "Mus'ab? Who's he?" He couldn't unpuzzle that word so he asked for clarification.

"The safeer." Meaning the ambassador in English. Madrasatu Yusuf was easy, he knew it was the prison because Muslim prisoners mostly refer to it that way as that was where The Prophet Yusuf may peace be upon him first declared his message.

Basically, Juweyriya was trying to express her fear of trusting the government's deportation when the ambassador himself never helped them at the time where they were arrested for no crime. Sulayman understood her after some seconds of contemplating so he decided to leave things to Allah for that moment,

"I understand you my wife. Let's leave it to Allah. If you have no one to ask then perform istikharah and we will inquire about the same outside and inform you of what we have concluded."

"Okay in Sha Allah. About the fine, whether it had decreased, I met the officer and she suggested that I ask one human rights officer who will be visiting us soon. I don't have much faith in these people though but I have trust in Allah. So, I will ask the officer with the hope that Allah may touch her heart and open my door to freedom."

She said that nonchalantly but little did she know that the last phrase tore her spouse's heart apart. His heart was already broken from the day they were arrested; back then when his beloved was held mercilessly by the enemies and he had nothing to do. It kept breaking all those years he spent behind bars having no idea of his wife's well being and it still went on breaking every single meeting with his wife and he is reminded that his hands are tied and he has no way to release her.

"My Juwey, you will soon be out. Remember when the night gets too dark then dawn is near.

Allah doesn't burden a soul more than it can bear."

Juweyriya gave a smile that emanated from her heart. A smile only possessed by a woman in love. One thing that her husband never understood was that her dawn rose the moment she was called from the cells to visit a guest she never expected.

It was dawn and bright sunshine as she stood there looking at the apple of her eyes after seven whole years of being far from one another. Indeed Allah is Great. It was only Allah who facilitated her husband's release and helped him visit her. It was He, Al-Wadud, The Affectionate, who all those years nurtured the love of these two beloved deep within their hearts, protecting it and polishing it until He decreed for them to meet.

Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds -  the Most Merciful will appoint for them affection.
[Maryam 96]

So, in all senses, her dawn had already rose, and her sun had shone. She believed that by Allah's mercy she will be out the moment Allah utters the Kaaf and nuun (From the Arabic word Kun meaning Be.) meanwhile she would persevere all she could. Gladly and willingly.

"Yes yes my husband. Allah has told us in his book,

You will surely be tested in your possessions and in yourselves. And you will surely hear from those who were given the Scripture before you and from those who associate others with Allah much abuse. But if you are patient and fear Allah -  indeed, that is of the matters [worthy] of determination.
[Aali Imran 186]."

"Subhanallaah. So my wife I urge you and I urge myself to be patient. Let's just trust in Allah."

"One more thing..." Sulayman recalled something. He hesitated to say it loud as the officer behind indicated that the time had ended. Juweyriya whispered a bismillah (in the name of Allah), turned back and said,

"Madam. Do you mind adding a few minutes? My husband was telling me something important." She asked straightforwardly but politely.

The officer crinkled her nose as if giving it a thought and Sulayman noticed Juweyriya murmuring a du'a so he also quickly recited one of his own.

"Alright. Don't take long." She allowed with a serious tone and Sulayman couldn't be more thankful that she turned her back towards them facing outside the visiting room.

Juweyriya closed her eyes and with a lovely smile muttered an Alhamdulillah. "So, we heard her. What were you telling me my husband?" She asked the smile still gracing her beautiful illuminated face. The scene had Sulayman go crazy and he wasn't to blame when he responded, "I was saying that you.. You are the most beautiful woman I've ever met and loved. May Allah hasten your release, I yearn to be with you, I yearn to engulf you in a tight embrace and never let you go."

Juweyriya's heart picked pace upon hearing that. She felt over the moon and totally blessed. "I love you for the sake of Allah my husband. I really do."

"May He love you, my wife. And I love you more."

Juweyriya bit her lower lip as tears of joy fell down her cheeks. At that ground she stood on it wasn't only her tears that fell but the soul within her had fallen in love with her halal deeper than it ever had. Composing herself Juweyriya asked amidst silent sobs, "Is this really what you wanted to tell me?"

"Honestly, it evaporated." Sulayman confessed admitting to his silliness.

"I love you either way so it doesn't matter."

"I guess it's time to say Maa Ssalaam." Sulayman asked as the pain he felt by looking at his wife silently sobbing became unbearable.

"Yes, it is. Fii hifdhi Llah habibi." (Under Allah's protection my beloved.) Juweyriya bid him with a heavy heart.

"Fii Amani llaah habeebaty." (Under Allah's security my beloved.) Sulayman prayed for his wife and turned to leave not waiting to sight escort her like he normally did.

Before he stepped away, he heard louder sniffs and as he raised his gaze out of curiosity and concern, he witnessed the lady officer wiping her tears using her handkerchief,

"Juri I swear I have never witnessed such pure love..." She said and wiped more tears,

"If I were new, I'd say you just got arrested this week but seven years! How!? Just how?" She was crying by then.

"If you want to keep talking go on.." She urged deeply moved by the pure love the two souls shared. Juweyriya aware of the risk involving bending rules for a prisoner feared for the officer, "It's okay we're done. Brace yourself." She consoled her and for one last time for that day gazed at her husband and said,

"When I count my blessings I count you twice."

And the rest was history repeating itself.

I lost count of how often you have been in my mind,

For real you're one of a kind,

You're there as I close my eyes,

With a smile so warm my heart you mesmerize,

You're there when I am wide awake,

And I know I really love you for the Almighty's sake,

In my past, I have memories of you being my happiness,

And now it's the very thing I feel by your presence,

I miss you even when you are by my side,

And when you're away in my heart you reside,

Oh how I wish to have you close to me,

Oh how I miss us together worshipping the Almighty.