"The reality of modesty is that your Allaah should never see you where He stopped you from."

By bringing modesty in our lives we will bring a huge portion of Imaan in our lives.      

Nabi (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said something to this effect: "Modesty is a branch of Imaan(faith)."
(Bukhaari and Muslim)

The example of a person who is devoid of modesty, is like the example of an apple that is peeled, after a while it begins to turn brown and if it's left longer eventually it begins to rot. The same way if modesty is stripped off from our lives, we will rot and decay into an indecent and immodest society. 

Allaah Ta'aala loves bashfulness and modesty and shaytaan, who is our greatest enemy wishes for indecency and immodesty to prevail. Shaytaan makes great effort to rip and snatch away the modesty from every person. 

It is the duty of every Muslim to protect themselves from immodest behaviour and actions, as modesty is our colour,our respect, our dignity and our honour. 

The students walked towards their lockers, after filling their starving bellies. Some lagged behind, discussing the latest gossip, some boasted about their trips that they had planned for the holidays, some discussed what they planned to do during the upcoming weekend, while others gathered their books and scurried to class. 

Amongst the crowd, a group of three close friends walked side by side, after munching on their favourite goodies, satiating the monsters in their tummies, that begged to be refilled with treats, like oreos, hershey kisses and perhaps some frappuccino and Krispy Kreme as well.

Alas the only fuel that was available was oreos and hershey kisses, for unfortunately the school cafeteria could not provide them with the latter two. Oh what a pity! A huge sigh of disappointment !

If only the school cafeteria could allow a Krispy Kreme and Starbucks pop up shop, they would drag their behinds out of bed and make sure to be on time for school. Perhaps such a suggestion should be made to every school principle.....

"I was thinking next weekend is easter weekend, which means  a long weekend, how about we all go out together with our families, spend a whole day  somewhere, maybe?" , Yusaira asked her friends Amatullah and Humaira, while they walked towards their lockers.

Humaira gasped, stopping in her tracks and stood in front of Yusaira with her hands on her hips.

"What?"

Yusaira and Amatullah were used to Humaira's dramatic behaviour, but they were confused as to why she gasped so dramatically on the mere suggestion of spending a day together, as if it were some crime.

"Oh my Allah Forgive my dear frineds and have mercy on them."
Humaira raised her hands in duaa. 

Yusaira and Amatullah shot her amused looks.

What was she going on about?

"Aameen (May Allah accept). "
They both chorused.

"Did I say something wrong?"
Yusaira asked.

"Ya Allah how could you forget? We can't go out that weekend it's the ijtima! The males in our family aren't going to be home!"

"Oh."
Yusaira forgot about that.

"So why did you have to be so dramatic about it? You could have just said it's the ijtima Yusaira , instead of going on like she said she wanted to kill someone !" Amatullah shook her head and laughed.

"Well what can I say ! Life without drama is no fun! Drama Queen is my middle name after all!" Humaira linked her arms with Amatullah and Yusaira.

"Sure right about that" Yusaira nodded in agreement.

"So how about we go the following weekend."
Yusaira suggested.

"Don't know, we will ask our parents and see what they say. "
Amatullah answered and Humaira nodded in agreement.

Yusaira sighed softly. She just wanted to spend atleast a day somewhere serene and peaceful with her close friends and family, she just wanted to forget about some things for a day.

Seventeen year old, Yusaira Dawood. Zaheer and Ruqayyas only child.
A gentle,modest and beautiful soul, not only did she have a beautiful appearence, but a beautiful personality as well.

Despite being seperated from her parents, she never made apparent her grief, instead she concealed it with her bubbly and happy perosnality. She was like a ray of sunshine that brightened up a dim lit room.

Yusaira loved her friends to bits and appreciated and enjoyed their company, but she was not a  person to open up to anyone hastily, not even her close friends.

She never lived with her parents, since an infant she lived with her maternal aunt and unlce.

When Lutfiya Ismail  took responsibility of Yusaira, her son Laaeq was and infant as well. Laaeq was born just two weeks before Yusaira, Lutfiya breast fed Yusaira along with Laaeq. This made it easier for Yusaira, once she became mature she didn't have to worry about living with non- mahrams, for her uncle Zain and Laaeq became her mahrams through fosterage. Due to fosterage Lutfiya became her foster mother, Laaeq her foster brother and Zain her foster father.

From a young age, Yusaira knew that Zain and Lutfiya were not her biological parents. As she grew up Lutfiya always told her she was her second mother.

The couple felt it was better that Yusaira grew up knowing this, instead of them telling her after many years of her thinking them to be her biological family, for they couldn't bear to see her broken and depressed.

Yusaira never really understood what Lutfiya meant by her being her second mother until she reached an age of understanding. Lutfiya never really explained to her the reason that she was abandoned by her parents and handed over to her.

What shattered her heart was the fact that in those seventeen years her mother never visited her, never  even cared to atleast see her once. .....

Why didn't her mother care? Did she hate her? What did she ever do to her mother that she only held her  in her arms once, the day she gave birth to her. Bever again did she  glance at her after that. Yusaira accepted this as her taqdeer, but she yearned to meet her mother.

These questions haunted her, but she never asked Lutfiya or Zain, for she was afraid to hear the answers to those questions.

Zain and Lutfiya had no idea where either of her parents were, Lutfiya herself yearned to meet her sister who broke off contact with her, her dear baby sister whom she hadn't seen for seventeen years.

At the age of sixteen, Yusaira fell into a  deep depression, thinking about her parents and why they abandoned her. It lasted almost a month. She cut herself off from everyone, everyone except Laaeq. She stayed aloof from her friends in school.

Humaira and Amatullah gave her, her space but never left her side, they stood like firm pillars of stregnth with her through out her stormy days. They were her sunshine after the storm. She herself never informed them why she was depressed.

A week passed and they couldnt bear to see her this way so they inquired from Lutfiya and she told them. They knew Yusaira wasn't a person to let anyone in, she kept her feelings bottled up, but they still stood with her and with the help of Allah Ta'Allah helped her become herself once again.

She locked herself up in her room for hours, hardly ate and when she did eat, she ate very little from that  which Laaeq would bring to her room and forcefully feed her. He was her biggest support and comfort, despite them being foster siblings they shared a close bond like that of biological siblings or even closer. He was always her rock and her stregnth and he never left her side, even when she asked him to. They shared such a special bond that sometimes Laeeq's younger sister would get jealous.

Yusaira attended Johannesburg High School and was currently in grade eleven. Her two very close friends and partners in crime were also  seventeen, Humaira Mohammed, the loud, bubbly but modest drama queen, she was a social butterfly, always smiling, her bright smile and bubbly personalilty  was contagious, so contagious it could  cheer you up even when you had a bad day, but at the same time she was very straight forward, she would  tell it like it is and if her limits were crossed , a whole different side to her would be witnessed.  Humaira  was the third child in her family, she had two elder brothers as well as two younger ones.

Seventeen year old Amatullah Yusuf, an only child, a very shy girl,extremely modest, soft hearted, kind and caring , she was an introvert, the type of girl that would rather spend most of her free time snuggled under the covers or sprawled on the couch reading a book, her friends were an exception ofcourse. Yusaira and Humaira were the only two people besides her close family that she socialised with freely.

The three girls had been friends for for over three years now, although they all had very different personalities, they got along perfecly, having one thing in common, they all were  from deeni homes. Amatullah's family being the most deeni compared to Yusaira's and Humaira's.

The girls headed to their respective lockers,  in order to grab their books for the next class.

Yusaira felt someone flick the back of her head. Without looking she already knew who the person was. She immediately turned around and smacked his arm.

Laeeq stood infront of her with a scowl etched on his face, rubbing his arm.

"Oww woman! you are so violent!"

"Wa alaykumsalaam Laeeq" Yusaira said sarcastically.

"Oh ...Assalamualaykum " Laeeq smiled sheepishly.

"Why do you always have to flick my head or hit me to get my attention? Can't you just call me like a normal person!"

"It's fun to trouble my cute little sister and see her cheeks flaming up in anger." Laeeq pulled both her cheeks and shook her head from side to side.

Someone gigled from the locker besides Yusaira's, they both turned to look at Amatullah who was observing the siblings cute fight.

She quickly lowered her gaze, covered her mouth and muttered "Astaghfirullah" when she realised that she laughed aloud in the presence of a non mahram.

Laeeq quickly turned his attention back to Yusaira.

Yusaira swatted his hands away and gave him a mishevious smirk.

"What?" Laeeq raised his eyebrows.

"Oh nothing...nothing at all " Yusaira shook her head and smiled innocently.

"So , why did you come here to annoy me?"

"Just wanted to tell you my dear sister that I will be  leaving for Jumuah Salaah, do you want me to get you anything on my way back?"

They didn't attend a muslim school, but the school accommodated for all religions. They allowed Muslim boys to go to the masjid on Fridays. Friday being a special day of the week for muslims. The girls would read in the salaah room that the school provided and Monday to Thursday the boys would read there as well.

They were even so considerate that they partitioned the room to seperate the boys and girls. Yes, they had classes together but it was not easy to concentre in their salaah when they were not seperated from the opposite gender. They had requested a partition, and the school principle so kindly granted them what they had asked for.

The boys were given an hour off from school on a Friday, and then would return for the remaining classes.

Alhamdulillah( praise be to Allah), these were one of the advantages of living in South Africa. Everyone is free to practice any religon they wish to, and nobody criticises or points fingers at them.

You do get those few people that criticise  those who wear hijaab or niqaab once in a while, but it doesn't happen very often.

Yusaira pouted.
"It's so unfair why don't we get an hour off from school on Fridays?"

"Bescause women don't have to read salaah with Jamaa'ah (congregation) . Stop being a  whiny baby, and tell me if you want anything ?"

"Hmmm Amatu what do you want? "
Yusaira tapped Amatullah on her shoulder.

"Nothing "she shook her head without turning around.

"Hmph! You just too shy to say ! Never mind I will speak on your behalf. Laeeq please get Amatu a Cadbury whole nut okay , that's her favourite "

Laeeq nodded not wanting to refuse and face Yusaira's wrath for not buying her friends something as well.

"Good ! And oreo chocolate for Humi and a packet of jelly tots for me " thanks Bro that will be all!" Yusaira smiled at him and waved him good bye.

Yusaira turned around to face Amatullah, who was glaring at her.

"He asked what you want, not what I like !"

Yusaira snickered.

No there was nothing going on between Laeeq and Amatullah. Yusaira just liked teasing the two and she secretly hoped that they could one day  become a married couple. It was  amusing the way they got so shy, whenever  she teased them.

Yusaira laughed at herself planning their future.

Humi and Amatu gave thier friend questioning glances, to which she just shook her head and smiled.

"Come on girls to the salaah room " Humaira led the way and the other two followed.

All the students piled out of the school, some who lived nearby walked home, some went to their respective cars, some waited for their lift and others just  stayed around, chatting to friends.

Yusaira hugged her friends, they exchanged salaams and headed their seperate ways. Amatullah to her mother, Aminah's  waiting car, and Humaira to her eldest brother Mikaeel.

Yusaira stood in the parking lot and waited for her brother. She heard a few boys whistle and lifted her gaze.

A group of girls from grade eleven along with Farhana, the ' queen wanna be ',  walked past a group of boys who were leaning on a black Maserati, three of them were shamelessly staring at the girls,  from amongts them one boy's  head was  bowed, a frown  etched on his face.

Talha, Fayaaz and Imraan ....she knew them. She hated their bahaviour and the way they would just hang around after school in the parking lot, jusy to check out girls and pass comments or compliment them.

She kept her distance from them. They never did pass any comments to her neither did they even try complimenting her, probably because she was a hijaabi, she wore loose fitted clothing that hid her curves well, and never sought attention from guys, but the main reason could be her  brother, he was extremely overprotective, and more so around them.

Yusaira  was a beautuful girl, no doubt, with her big, round, light brown eyes and long thick eyelashes.  She had naturally pink lips, her bottom lip fuller than the top. She inherited her mother's pitch black , silky straight hair that fell just below her waist. She was of  moderate height, not too short , neither very tall.

Talha and Fayaaz were in some of her classes and their behaviour really got on her nerves, the way they would flirt with almsot any girl during class.

Sometimes she felt like smacking some sense into those girls who giggled and blushed, when they used cocky and idiotic pick up lines.

Like seriously they were such users! Get a girl, flirt with her, date her and when they were tired, dump her and move to the next one. Girls despite knowing this, still went crazy for them!

The boy that stood with his head bowed, stood as if though he was ashamed and annoyed with them.

He must be the new , she quotes from some girls 'handsome dude'.

She couldn't really make out the way he looked, due to his head being down.

"Astaghfirullah" she shook her head and looked down, when she realised she was staring.

In Islaam it is not permissible to look at the opposite gender without a valid reason and here she was, staring at a strange boy!

"Astaghfirullah."she muttered again .

"What are you seeking forgiveness for?" Laeeq's voice startled her.

"Nothing. " she said quickly.

"Who seeks forgiveness for nothing ?" Laeeq cocked his head to the side.

" We are humans not angels Laeeq! Nabi(صلى الله عليه و سلم ) was sinless, but sought forgiveness one hundred times daily, we are polluted with sin shouldn't we be seeking even more forgiveness?"

"Masha Allah! Good point sister "

Laeeq grinned at her. He was happy that Yusiara chose good Muslim friends as her company. Since she started high school she made wonderful changes in her life and one of them was wearing the head scarf.

Laeeq wanted her to wear it already at the age of twelve when she became mature, but his parents didn't force Yusaira, and said that she should start out of her own will. He could not say much and was upset that his parents didn't even atleast try persuading her to wear the Hijaab. He tried persuading her to start adorning the hijaab before they began high school but she still was not very keen.

Barely a month of grade eight passed and firstly with the guidance of Allah Ta'Allah, and with the encouragement and good influence of her new friends , she wore it confidently on her own.

"Come on Abba is here. "

Laeeq spotted his father's silver Mercedes, pulling into the parking lot.

"Assalamualaykum."
Zain greeted them with a warm smile.

"Waalaykumusalm." they chorused, as Laeeq jumped in the front seat and Yusiara sat at the back.

"How's my daughter ? How was school? " Zain looked at Yusiara through the rearview mirror.

"I'm good Alhamdulillah Abba. School was same old....nothing exciting"
Yusaira returned a smile.

Despite her knowing that Zain and Lutfiya were not her biological parents, she still called them Ammi and Abba, and they still called her their daughter . Why shouldn't they? They grew her up, and she was their foster daughter after all.

"Ready for the ijtima my boy? " Zain hit Laeeq lightly on his back.

"I'm good Alhamdulillah. School was boring thanks for asking."
Laeeq pouted.

Yusaira burst out laughing and Zain chuckled.

Yusaira flicked Laeeq''s shoulder .
"Manners bro! Manners!"

"Sorry Abba, I did'nt mean to be rude" Laeeq smiled sheepishly.

"That's why I love my daughter, she has more adab (manners) than you."

Yusaira pulled out her tongue and gave Laeeq a cheeky grin.

Laeeq poured again.

"You love her more than me, don't you!"

Zain chuckled. "Stop doing that son, you look hilarious when you pout!"

"Yes Abba loves me more ! Jealous much !" Yusaira retorted,wrapping her hands arms around her father's neck from behind his seat.

"Whatever major looser !"
Laeeq mimicked a high  pitched  girly voice.

"You two! When will you grow up ! "
Zain shook his head.

"Being immature at times is fun Abba, no matter the age. "
Yusaira kissed Zains forhead and sat back down.

"I second that!" Laeeq raised his hand in agreement.

"So son you did'nt answer my question. Are you coming with me this weekend to set up for the ijtima?"

"Hmm yes, I am insha Allah"

The Ismail residence was a twenty minute drive from the school.
They pulled up in the driveway of their humble abode,  a face bricked double story.

"Assalamuaykum" they greeted in unision, recited the dua and stepped in with their right feet first.

They were greeted with the aroma of delicious home made food, that wafted past their noses and made their stomachs growl. One of the joys of Friday was extra special food, and today it smelt like biryaani.
Yusi''s favourite.

"Waalaykumusalam." Lutfiya greeted from the kitchen.

"Freshen up and come down for lunch."

"Layya put the juice on the table." Lutfiya commanded.

Laeeq chuckled. Layya was fifteen, but being the baby of the house, she was spoilt and never really did house chores. Even Laeeq helped out more than she did.

On Fridays Laeeq and Yusaira were dismissed from school at two and Layya at twelve, which meant Friday was Layya's duty to help. Those two hours she hated with a passion.

The table was already set. Layya strolled out of the kitchen with a jug of home made watermelon and strawberry ice juice. She huffed and put  it down on the table.

"Assalamuaykum little princes ."
Zain kissed her on her forhead.

Immediately the frown left her face and she smiled warmly.

"Why so tired little sis ! Is it because little Layyu had to set the table all by herself !" Laeeq tskd.

"Shame such hard work!"

Layya glared at him and stomped back to the kitchen.

"You must always tease her Laeeq! Atleast she's helping !" Yusaira shook her head and followed Layya to the kitchen.

"Yeah helps out together with making a fuss !" Laeeq muttered under his breath, and made his way to the kitchen.

Lutfiya kissed them both on their foreheads, and smiled warmly.

"Layya come here "

Layya glared at Laeeq, and made her way over to Yusaira, enveloping her in a big hug.

Yusaira giggled at Laeeq rolling his eyes, and kissed Layya on her cheek.

"I'm sorry bhai is such a pain"
Yusaira patted her cheek.

Laeeq scoffed.
"Let me leave you two to your'ls Bro complaints session "

"No Mr,  come back here!"
Yusaira pulled his ear.

"Hey woman !" Laeeq rubbed his left ear.

"What!"

"Apologise to Layya ! "
Yusaira put her hands on her hips.

Layya giggled at her crazy siblings.

There were times when she became jealous of Yusaira because of the amount of love her parents showed her. Layya knew it was because of her depression, and also because she didn't recieve love from her own parents, but naturally she felt a bit jealous. Despite the occasional jealousy though, she loved her as a big sister, and loved when she would take her part and scold her brother.
The perks of having an older, caring sister.

"No way !"

"Yes way !"

"Laeeq apologise or else no food for you !"
Lutfiya teamed up against Laeeq, and held the wooden spoon infront of her with mock seriousness.

"Ugh my beloved food ! Okay fine, only for my food I'm sorry Layya, my little baby sister."
Laaeq pulled her cheeks and hugged her.

"I accpet your apology, but only on one condition."
Layya lifted a finger, a sparkle in her eyes.

Laeeq groaned .
"State your condition "

"Hmm I will think about it, and let you know later tonight, maybe."

"Sure deal ."
Laaeq shook Leyya's hand.

Lutfiya laughed .
"Go on you two, freshen up and come down!" Lutfiya shooed the siblings out of the kitchen.

Yusaira performed her Ehsa Salaah , yanked her hijaab off and flopped on her bed, still wearing her black skirt, beige blouse and black cardigan.

She stared out the window at the clear sky, twinkling magnificently with  thousands of shinning stars.

She always felt a sense of peace and contentment gazing at the stars, lost in thought. Just gazing at the creation of Allah Ta'allah always filled her with comfort and peace whether it be walking in a park under a shady path of trees, or watching the birds flutter about in search for food.

"SubhanAllah " she breathed in awe.

If the creation of Allah Ta'Allah is so beautiful how much more beautiful the Creator must be ! How fortunate will be those people of Jannah who will be able to see the Blessed Countenance of Allah Ta'all ah. Every creation is so perfect in its own unique way,each functioning the way it ought to be, never going against the commands of Allah SWT ,all working in a perfect order and perfect timing.

"SubhanAllah " Yusiara gazed at the stars in amazement, no matter how often she gazed at these beautiful twinkling lights, that studded the pitch black sky, she never became wary of staring at them, and she never failed to be amazed.

"Oh Allah surely you have not created all these beautuful things in vain."

A soft knock distracted Yusaira's thoughts .

"Come in."

"Hey Yusi, Layya's condition has finally been anounced and it is my right to fulfill the queen's wishes."

Yusaira laughed.
"What is it ?"

"She wants Wakaberry. We're heading to the zone, you wanna join ?"
Laaeq leaned against the door frame.

"Who says no for Wakaberry! " Yusaira immediately jumped from the bed, grabbed her beige and black leopard printed hijaab, wrapped it around her head, and secured it with a pin. She slipped into her black pumps and grabbed her phone.

Yusaira was not a make up type of a person, the only thing she ever used was lip balm, not even lip gloss. Only on special occasions like wedings and Eid with her mother's insistence she applied a coat of lip gloss, a stroke of eyeliner and a slick of mascara.

Laeeq laughed, amused at his sisters speed, at the meniton of frozen yoghurt.

Usually women take years to get ready!

"Now I know what to do when you women take long to get ready, just say we are going to Wakaberry."

Yusaira laughed along with Laeeq, and they both made their way out of the house, stepping out with their left feet reciting the dua for leaving the home.

The latter three were already waiting in the car.

Zain and Lutfiya strolled around the Rosebank mall, while the siblings sat at a table, irritating each other and enjoying their frozen yogurt.

"Seriously Layya you have more sweets than yoghurt ! "
Laaeq scrunched his nose in distaste.

"Whatever ! Make things a little exciting , add colour and flavour to your life ! " Layya moved her hands around, as if she was advertising her amazingly colourful cup.

Yusaira and Laeeq rolled thier eyes.

"Yusiara put sweets in hers also !"
Layya pointed an accusing finger at Yusaira.

"The only sweets I put  in is jelly tots, I love when it gets frozen. "
Yusaira scooped a spoonful into her mouth and closed her eyes to emphasize her point.

"You two are nuts ! " Laeeq shook his head.

"Huh you are the one that has your cup filled with nuts and we are nuts"
Layya laughed.

"You're not funny ....lame joke ! "
Laeeq flicked Layya's nose.

Layya stuck out her tongue.

"Come on man, for once in your life just have some fun !" The trio heard a fimiliar voice shout loudly.

A group of four boys passed by the siblings, arguing over something.

"Imraan and his crew !" Laeeq mmumbled, catching Yusaira's and Layya's attention. They both followed Laeeq's gaze.

"Yeah loosen up abit man, have some fun!" Talha smacked a boys back,the girls could'nt see who he was, as his back was facing them.

"No I said no and that's it ! " the boy sounded really agitated.

"What are you you afraid of huh!"
Fayaaz laughed.

"Drop it, I'm not coming with !"

"Come on boss why not ?"

"Muslims don't go to clubs !"

Yusaira's eyes widened in shock.

Club! She knew they were a bunch of annoying flirts, but she didn't know that they went to the club!

"The reality of modesty is that Allah Ta'allah should not see you where he prevented you from going " the boy tried to sound calm.

"Ugh here he starts with his lectures again ! " Imraan rolled his eyes.

"Man its just a little fun, we aren't telling you to drink alcohol, we just saying..." Imraan started, but Suhaib cut him off.

"Just what! Huh ! Check out girls who are barely even dressed there, dance to the music ! Huh ! It's still haraam even if we dont drink ! There's alot of other haraam. I'm out of here ! Assalamualaykum!" The boy stomped off angrily.

Imraan was stunned to silence, by his sudden outburst. The guy was always calm, it was the first time he looked so angry and yelled and that also, when they were in public.

"Suhaib Ahmed the new boy ! SubhanAllah what he said is true, by bringing modesty in your life you bring a portion of Imaan in your life "
Laeeq said to no one in particular.

"Masha Allah it takes courage to stand up for what is right !" Layya was impressed by Suhaib's behaviour.

Yusiara nodded in agreement.

"Why were the two of you looking at non mahrams ? And why did you praise a boy Layya ?" Laeeq scolded his sisters with a stern look.

Over protectve brother mode activated!

The girls both covered their mouths, to surpress their giggles. Laeeq himself told them who the guy was, without them even asking, and he turned thier attention to them, and now he's shouting at them.

"Astaghfirullah" Yusaira said aloud and Layya repeated, and they resumed eating their frozen yoghurt.

Do what is right, even if you have to do it alone. Don't get caught up in what is forbidden, just because everyone is doing it and it's a norm.

When you have the power to stop evil with your hand , prevent it with your hand. When you can speak against evil, then stop evil by means of your tongue, and if you cannot do either of the two, atleast regard the action as evil in your heart. That is the lowest form of Imaan, as was taught to us by our beloved Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم.

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