Assalamualaikum Warahmutallahi Wabarakatuhu!

I hope you all are doing well!

Here, I am with a talented and one of the popular writer on Wattpad whose books are captivating yet breath taking. The writer is none other than, TheTemporaryWayfarer. I am happy to have her here.

Please do check out her works.

Let's get started with the interview!

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1. Tell us about yourself.

Name and meaning: Bushra meaning 'glad tidings'.

Age: Let's just say I've seen a little more than two decades on planet earth.

Date of birth: 11th September.

Nationality: Indian.

Hobbies: Reading, writing, reading some more, researching about our deen, engaging in activities pertaining to Islaah and Dawah, and mehendi designing.

Relationship status (single/committed): Still in search for the 'bali ka bakra' 😝

(A/N: Looollll).

2. Describe yourself in a few lines.

I'm a content Muslimah, Alhamdulillaah with very few wants and needs. If there is anything at all you have to know about me, then it is the fact that I breathe through words. They give me peace, hope and a sense of security.

(A/N: Ma Shaa Allah! Nice description!).

3. What good changes you want to bring in yourself?

I would like to increase in my patience level and also get a hold on my anger whenever I get provoked.

4. What was the first book you read on Wattpad and what were your thoughts on it?

I don't really recall what I read first, but I remember enjoying sajmra 's books first.

5. Tell us about your favorite books on Wattpad as well as offline.

On wattpad so far, there are five of them. Once Upon A Qadr by sajmra, The Dangers of lslam series by HelenaWon and Gratitude (which I'm still hounding her to complete) by BlackRedHeart.

What I love about them is that they were able to tug at my heartstrings with ease. Especially 'The Dangers of Islam : The Terrorist' - my heart was in constant turmoil while reading this book. I was both sobbing and agitated by the time I completed it, moreso because I know incidents of such nature truly take place in the outside world - incidents where the innocent are framed, accused and persecuted for the deeds of the vile among mankind.

And offline... well, leaving out actual spiritual writers and taking offline 'fiction' into account, I prefer books written by Arthur Conan Doyle, William Jefferson, Sidney Sheldon, Khalid Hosseni (you have to note that I like the way he uses his words, not his characters), Agatha Christy and a few others.

6. Which genre do you prefer the most and why?

On wattpad, I prefer 'historical fiction' because I feel that it's the only genre where 90% of the writers do actual research and are mindful about their grammar, whereas offline I love mystery/thriller because I love the thrill and suspense that come with them.

7. Tell us about your experience as an author on wattpad.

According to me, a little more than two years ago, my story writing skills were not even passable. I was originally a poetess and an essay writer, so it was obvious that when I started on my first novel here, I was constantly riddled with self doubt and dissatisfaction of what I had produced. Although I had great ideas, the way I was narrating them didn't appeal to me in the slightest. I felt that there was something lacking always. The feeling of contentment was not to be found.

There were many a times I wanted to delete all my works over here and be gone (because I didn't want to become one among those who produced trash) but then again, I held on to a smidgen of hope and kept improving myself instead of outrightly giving up.

Now, my readers as well as I could easily see the difference between what I wrote earlier and what I'm writing now to the point that I think I'm doing a pretty decent job with the book I'm currently working on. So yeah, I've evolved a great deal since I started out here. Alhamdulillaah for all that He has done.

(A/N: Ma Shaa Allah! Alhamdulillah!).

8. Choose between the two.

Chocolates/ Ice cream.

Definitely ice-cream!

Brownies/Oreo.

I'd go with brownies.

(A lil' tip : go research about the chemicals used in oreo, you wouldn't want it too).

Biryani/Pizza.

Biryani! Pizza is too bland for my taste.

Black/White.

A lil' bit of both.

Novels/Movies.

Novels hands down.

Happy ending/sad ending.

Depends upon the storyline. I mean you couldn't write something unrealistic just because you want a happy ending.

Tea/Coffee.

Coffee when I feel like it and tea for some serious studies.

Sun/Moon.

Al-Qamar 🌚

Rapunzel/Elsa.

Neither.

Beef/Chicken.

Chicken.

Shawarma/Burger.

Burger.

9. What would be the one advice you would give yourself if you go back to six years?

"Loosen up a little bit. Your tenth grade marks aren't going to decide your future."

(A/N: So true!).

10. What are your ambitions in life?

To become a published writer, an accomplished student of the deen, a good Muslimah and a daughter my parents could be proud of. I also want to do something within my capacity to help the ummah at large. 

11. Most people love to prank others, do you too? Have you ever pranked anyone in your life? If yes, share it with us.

Sometimes, yes. I haven't begun anything on my own actually, just helped a few people in the process of pranking others. The last of what I did all on my own was insinuate that I might have found 'someone' on my message board and status. Readers and friends went berserk over it 😆

12. As a human we do things which makes us feel embarrassed so tell us about your most embarrassing story.

Oh! Don't ask me. I'm prone to embarrassing episodes. Almost two months ago I had one that made me want the ground to open up and swallow me, but what makes you think I'd tell anyone about it? Especially to people online? 😝

(A/N: Hahaha! Everything that made you think not to tell here, lol! Your readers would love to know about it).

13. What is the most selfless thing you have done for someone? And apart from your mother, who is that person for you?

I don't believe in keeping myself informed of the acts of kindness I do for others. I do stuff, forget about them and move on. That way I don't impose upon them and they are not pressed into pleasing me.

And I'd say my mother is the only selfless person in my life.

(A/n: Ma Shaa Allah!).

14. Who are your most favorite Internet friends? Describe them in few words.

There's BlackRedHeart MusinglyHigh aliyanaz7 and a bunch of readers who have really come to care about me. (I don't wanna take their names in case I miss out someone by mistake).

I would say they are like a breath of fresh air in my otherwise boring life.

15. Which quality do you dislike the most in the people and would want to change?

Lying, cursing (it makes me want to slap them) and blindly believing what others say is the truth. Allaah has blessed them with brains, and it irritates me to no end when people don't use it.

16. What are your ways of dealing with people?

I'm still figuring that out.

17. Out of 10, how much would you rate your character?

I'm very hard to please. I won't give myself anything beyond a '7'.

18. What’s the most important fuel of life in your opinion?

Confidence in Allaah's plans.

It goes without saying that in this mad jostle of life, confidence in His plans is really very crucial. We may not be able to make sense of everything that happens to us when it does, but I believe that the haze always clears in the long run. Alhamdulillaah.

19. Which reminder would you like to give everyone through a verse of the Qur’an?

"And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion?"
[ 'Aale Imraan : 185 ]

20. How important is it for us to balance Deen and Dunya?

As important as it is for a newborn to draw in a breath of fresh air and start making use of its own lungs. (It is the deciding moment of whether it is going to survive or not).

(A/N: So rightly said! 👍🏻).

21. Since majority of the youth don’t realise their time of opportunity which starts from teenage, how prominently will you advice them to use it wisely?

It is very easy to attach ourselves to Allaah when we see our end approaching, as in when we've grown old. There is nothing special about it. Firawn wanted to do it too!

What is difficult is to give up our desires and fight our temptations when our hormones are in full swing; to stay on the right path when most people around us are being mislead. 

It is going to be difficult but remember : none of your sacrifices are going to be of waste. Of the seven categories of people who would be provided shade under the Arsh on the day of Judgement would be youth who grew up worshipping Allaah.

We are feeble creatures who find it difficult to withstand even humid temperature. What about the hereafter then? How are we going to tolerate it all? What could be better than the protection of Allaah Himself when the big, burning ball of fire is just a mile's length away?

(A/N: So true!).

22. According to you, how necessary is it for one to stay disciplined? Don’t you feel people lack the Sunnah lifestyle which should be brought back?

Everything when done right and done in order would always reap us huge benefits. That being said, I believe a significant difference between human beings and animals is the presence or lack of discipline. It is what helps us keep a check on ourselves and keeps us from behaving out of turn. It nurtures goodness within us, roots within us the ability to distinguish right from wrong.

Of course! It has to be revived. I would say the da'ee of the present era are doing a good job at reviving sunnan, MashaAllaah. I'm proud of them.

(A/N: Ma Shaa Allah!).

23. Name some Sunnah lifestyle which you follow?

The supplications to be said upon completing certain actions, entering the house with right foot, putting on my right shoe first, to name a few. 

(A/N: Ma Shaa Allah!).

24. What would you like to do in your leisure time?

Curl in a cozy corner with some spicy snacks and a book in hand. 

25. A) Your favorite food.

Too many to name. Any dish that could be paired rightly has my attention. For eg: idli with sambhar, poori with chickpeas gravy, dosa with potato, sambhar rice with potato or chicken fry, biryani with brinjal gravy, butter naan with paneer butter or chicken tikka masala, fried rice with manchurian, etc etc.

Also, anything with potato in it has my attention 😁 

B). Your favorite fruits.

Mango, orange, grapes, watermelon, musk melon, pineapple, pomegranate, sweet lime and kiwi.

C). Your favorite vegetable.

Has to be potato!

D). Your favorite Nasheeds.

Ya Rajayee and Farhat Al-Amr.

E). Your favorite quote.

Again, too many to count. You can find my own collection as well the ones that strike me the most on my Insta account.

F). Your favorite athlete.

Eh... *clears throat*

G). Your favorite sports.

*starts coughing so that the interviewer gets the hint and switches topic*

(A/N: 😂😂).

H). Your favorite animated movie.

I had a few but I've removed them all off my favourites' list because of my support to the BDS movement. 

So currently, I have none.

I). Your favorite color.

Honestly, I don't have one.

J). Your favorite subject in school.

There were three - Math, English and Biology. 

26. How do you feel being a Muslimah? And what are the changes you would like to bring to the world?

I'm eternally grateful to Allaah for having chosen me to be one among those who are on the right deen. As for the changes, although I recognise that the world is filled with deviant groups (in Islaam) who confuse about a lot of facts in our deen, I also acknowledge the fact that as a single person, I can't make them all realise the truth. I don't possess the strength or patience or capacity for it.

However, I truly aspire to at least make those around me as well as my readers realise certain important concepts and to give up practices of other faiths which have seeped into Islaam; practices which are actually subtle forms of shirk.

27. How and when did you discover Wattpad?

In all honesty, when I first joined wattpad, it was purely for the sake of reading books for free and nothing else! 😆

I was on a break before starting college and was bored to my wits because I had almost nothing to keep my mind occupied. I tried reading stuff online when by the Will of Allaah, my browser led me to wattpad. 

And I'm glad it did, Alhamdulillaah 😄

28. Tell us about the first story you wrote on wattpad.

The very first story I wrote on wattpad was Shimmering Love or SL in short. 

Here's a little piece for those of you who want to know about it:

Four muslimahs,
Four lives,
Four destinations
And strong ties.

Surviving the modern world,
Endeavouring to be steadfast;
Determined to pass the test
Hoping that Allah will be their mast.

They aren't of the stereotypical ones,
There is something quite special about them.
They struggle, juggle and pull all sort of antics
But never let anything separate their beliefs from them.

Their innocence clouds their judgement.
They are ignorant of the vile ways of the world.
They only prefer to see what they want to
And the changing days have caused their paths to be blurred.

They know not that the sea has long lost its calmness;
That in time, the waves have grown to be rough.
The wind has long ceased its gentleness;
If anything, it has gone increasingly gruff.

As they set out, their journey will be filled with storms
And their anchor will weigh them down.
They will run out of stocks and suffer a lot
But will their faith ever let them drown?

Will they manage to reach the shore?
Or will they succumb to the evil world?
Will they manage to please Allah?
Will the flag of their Imaan remain unfurled?

The stronger their faith, the more rugged is their path.
But they have set their mind in pleasing Him.
Accompany them as they learn their lessons
With hearts filled with faith, neither fancies nor whims!

(A/N: I am reading your book and it's really written very beautifully, Ma Shaa Allah!).

29. How do you get ideas for your stories?

I get ideas for my stories by doing two constant things on a repeat cycle. 

One, I let my imagination run wild and two, I observe and steal from the people around me.

Not an exciting answer as you've been expecting but trust me, there's so much fun and excitement in observing the people around you - their mannerisms, their quirks, their sense of humour, their likes, their dislikes, and later, adding your own twists and tweaking things a bit in order to re-create characters and situations people can easily relate and fall in love with.

(A/N: Ma Shaa Allah!).

30. What is your inspiration?

As stated in my bio, I get inspired by things that irk me, ire me, pique my curiosity, flatter me, appeal to me, soothe my soul, encourage me to dream for both this world and the hereafter. Those are what I write about - the things that "actually" take place in the wider world. Things that need to be told, felt deeply and fought for.

31. Are your stories benefitting? What lessons we can learn from them?

Before I answer that question, let me have you people know that the scholars of Islaam differed in their opinions when it came to writing fiction. When a significant number of them concluded that writing fiction is haraam since it equalled lies, the rest of them put forth an opinion that writing fiction is allowed as long as there are some beneficial takeaways, and there is nothing that promotes a haraam lifestyle in it. 

And as someone who is a voracious learner of the deen, I would never dream of writing anything that does not benefit humanity. 

SL speaks of friendship in deen, struggles of normal Muslimahs, non-Islaamic practices that have sneaked into the lives of Indian Muslims, the rawness and beauty of relationships, contemporary issues and even political ploys that actually take place. 

Bordered speaks about the relationship between India and Pakistan.

BtH gives the readers a glimpse into the lives of Palestinians.

ROANM has intellectual pieces, rants that would make you think and memories that have moulded me into a better person.

FDW is a collection of poems, all about different phases of life.

And TH which is ongoing would lean more towards self discovery and things young Muslims should know.

(A/N: Wowww! I will surely read check out your other books too after SL, In Shaa Allah).

32. As a reader, why should I read your book?

Can I be honest with that? (Sorry (but not sorry) in advance to all those who are going to take offence)

Because I don't write cliché storylines, stuff that is unacceptable or torture my characters in the name of unrealistic romance (which is in fact another name of abuse).

As a matter of fact, the lessons you can takeaway from my books are one hundred percent authentic. You could learn more about the things that have always confused you. You could also learn new facts and exciting stuff.

I have even had plenty of non Muslim readers reaching out to tell me that I've helped them understand our religion through my books! Alhamdulillaah! 

(A/N: Ma Shaa Allah! That's a huge achievement! Ma Shaa Allah! May Allah (S.W.T) reward you abundantly for all your efforts that you put to write this amazing books, Aameen ya rab!).

33. Writers mostly go through writer blocks and you must have also gone through it. How do you deal it and how we can overcome it?

Well, not exactly. For me, it's more of procastination and being submerged with other things to do - assignments, exams, chores and other stuff, and in this case, I wait until my plate is clear in order to be able to write again.

34. Which is your favourite scene amongst the book you have written?

Very difficult to choose. I think I'd settle with parts where my characters communicate to the One above. 

35. Describe:

▪ Love

Too strong an emotion to be summed up in words.

▪ Friendship

Support system.

▪ Trust

Mandatory for any relation to last.

▪ Family

A sign of Allaah's Rahm.

▪ Life

A test.

36. What is that one thing that you used to love the most in the past but now you don't like it?

Visiting my father's native. Don't ask me why.

37. Your favorite childhood memory.

There are plenty of them. The prominent ones involve the days spent in the country side with my cousins and second cousins.

38. Describe your school life and your most favourite school memory.

I definitely enjoyed every bit of my school life. Even the harsh days, when I look back, I realise how much they've helped in shaping my personality. Right from my carefree kindergarten through my innocent primary days; my middle school and high school days where I learnt all the lessons life had to offer, and even through my higher secondary where I learnt to cope with stress and juggle everything life had to throw at me - they've all left their delicious marks in my life. 

I have way too many favourite memories of school life. I can't make up my mind on which is my most favourite. For my mum, I think it was when I received my prefect badge in twelfth grade. She told me she felt mighty proud when all teachers swarmed around to speak to her. (Well, she does have a few perks, being my mother 😉).

(Don't let her know I told that to you people)!

(A/N: Awww, Ma Shaa Allah!).

39. If you were wrongly put into an insane asylum, how would you convince them that you’re actually sane and not just pretending to be sane?

No matter what I do and how much of effort I put in trying to prove myself, they are still going to think I'm insane. I would instead concentrate in utilising my time spent there in a beneficial manner. 

Eventually, they would come to realise that I'm not what they think of me to be.

(A/N: Hahaha, yes!).

40. Would you rather eat chocolate that taste like bugs or bugs that taste like chocolates?

Never been a chocolate person. Thanks for the offer, but I'd pass 😝

(A/N: 😂).

41.Would you rather live under a sky with no stars at night or a sky with no clouds during the day?

That's tough. I need clouds where I live during the day, and the stars in the night sky give me peace. If pushed, I think I'd re-locate 😁

42. Would you rather be lost in a bad part of a town or lost in a forest?

I'd prefer to get lost in a forest. Heard and read of enough incidences to know that the creatures with 23 pair of chromosomes are more dangerous than the ones found in the forest.

(A/N: True!).

43. Would you rather have a five minute conversation with your past self or future self?

Past self. 

44. Would you rather fulfil your biggest wish or resolve your biggest regret?

I would rather leave it all to Allaah. Over thinking, I have realised, is hazardous to my mental well-being. 

Then again, why interfere with the storyline written by my Lord? 

45. If you were arrested with no explanation, what would your friends and family assume you had done?

Commented something political (which I shouldn't be commenting) online 😅

46. If you could make a rule for a day and everyone had to follow it, what would it be?

I would lock up all idiots who hold positions of authority and change rules so that they'd remain behind bars forever. 

(A/N: That's an great idea!).

47. If you could lock up one person in a mental institution, who would it be?

I wouldn't lock up just one. There are a lot in my list. Unfortunately, if discovered I took their names online, I could be jailed for life 😶

(A/N: Hahaha, I guess I got).

48. A message to readers.

To every single one of my readers who supported me since the very beginning, to those who joined me in the journey midway and to all those of you who are yet to discover me - thank you! Your support, encouragement and motivation has helped in uplifting my spirits countless of times. It has helped me in becoming a better writer, a better poet; a better Muslimah even. 

Sometimes I read the long messages you send me and I'm moved to tears. It astounds me as to how you could love me, admire me and cherish me the way you do without even having met me in person. Every time one of you gets inspired by me or praises me a little too much, the only thing my heart whispers is, "Ya Rabb, conceal all my flaws and make me a better person than what they think of me to be. Ameen."

May Allaah bless you all people. You are a blessing, both to yourself as well as the world. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Don't lose hope in Him (He is Ar-Razzaq, the Provider), don't over think (He is Al-Mujeeb, the Answerer). What's meant for you would always reach you, and what didn't reach you was not good for you (He is Al-Wadud, the Loving).

Be hopeful, be happy. Know that we're all incredibly blessed to be Muslims and Muslimahs.

(A/N: Aameen ya rabbul Aalameen!).

49. What do you recommend to other wattpad writers when writing any story?

There are three things I would like to stress on anybody who wants to write or is writing on wattpad. Please for God's sake, make sure you don't even go any where near these while writing:

(1) forced marriages

Do you even have the slightest hint as to what a girl might go through when she is forced to marry someone she cannot stand? Do you? There is nothing cool about such things. There's nothing good in them. You cannot encourage people to romanticize with such notions when it's the reality of so many suffering women across the globe. If you want to, you have a sick mentality.

Grow up people. Do not force a bad boy or a non practicing guy on a good, practicing and pious girl. She didn't deserve it and he most definitely didn't deserve her. And then comes the part where he gets abusive! Guys! I wouldn't call him a man if he does that. He is a coward! A good for nothing coward! Know that you cannot pass of abuse as love. You should know better.

(2) billionaires

Do you people even realise that they are a very small percentage of the people found on earth? And that most of them are already old, bald and developing a paunch?

Money is not everything on earth. In fact, it is not even stable. Please be creative when you write. Don't always make your characters big shots or billionaires. Whatever happened to people of other professions?

(3) mafia

I do not want to sound repetitive but I hope you people know how they earn. Lots of eyewashes and bribery and sneaking and swallowing of taxes takes place. Why would you even want to associate yourselves or make your characters from amongst them? Why would you in your right mind make your character a fool who lives off the fear of others?

And please guys, correct your grammar and spacing and proofread your stuff before you publish them here. For people like me, it spoils our mood when we come across unedited and unpolished work.

50. A message to all those who are struggling to write. 

(1) Before you start, make sure you check your intention behind starting the work.

(2) After you start, try to remain consistent.

(3) If faced with writer's block, read books or do something that you enjoy. It will help you loosen up so your creative juices start to flow again.

(4) Fight all negative thoughts that threaten to overpower you. Remind yourself that people aren't born with skills, they acquire them over time.

(5) Lastly, explore a little, be brave and break the stereotypes. There's no right and wrong in how you write your tale!

(A/N: Good advices! Ma Shaa Allah!).

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So here we come to an end to the beautiful interview. Hope you all loved reading it and I loved it too. 

May Allah (S.W.T) bless her abundantly and grant lots of success and happiness in her life. May Allah (S.W.T) bless her with the best and protect her from the evil eyes, Aameen ya rab!

Take care of yourself. Stay blessed, stay happy and stay healthy.

Till the next time, STAY TUNED!