“No, don’t worry. When classes resume, you’ll be shocked.”
As they continued their conversation, Malam Kabir entered.
He said,
“So our besty is visiting today? We were beginning to sulk—both myself and your mar’atussalihah—since you haven’t visited us until now.”
Nabila explained,
“It wasn’t like that, Malam. During the wedding, my mother was in Saudi Arabia. That’s why I didn’t go anywhere. I only came today to deliver your gifts. Later I’ll return with her.”
He thanked her warmly and she left.
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When Nabila Returned Home
She found her mother tying up a large bundle of gifts for her father’s relatives in Jakusko.
Nabila asked,
“Hajiya, what are all these things for?”
Her mother explained,
“These are gifts for your father’s relatives. I want them delivered the day after tomorrow.”
Nabila said,
“Hajiya, please wait until school closes so I can go with Abba. I also want to visit the town.”
Her mother replied,
“No, Nabila, they must be taken now. But I promise, once you’re on break, we’ll go together insha Allah.”
She added,
“Also, your father told me to inform you that someone has been given permission to come tomorrow and meet you.”
Startled, Nabila exclaimed:
“Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un!”
Her mother asked,
“Why are you frightened? It’s only a request for permission—not marriage. Islam encourages mutual understanding before marriage. And if you don’t understand each other, that’s okay. So relax and be prepared to greet him tomorrow in your father’s sitting room.”
Nabila sighed and said,
“Alright. May Allah bring tomorrow in goodness.”
She left, deeply troubled, lay on her bed, and thought:
“Why didn’t I allow Jabir to send his parents? I’ve made a huge mistake—now someone else has started the process of seeking my hand, someone I don’t want. At this stage, anything can happen. And now, even if I tell Jabir to come forward, it will look like competing proposals, which is forbidden in Islam. Ya Allah, You know what is best for me. Choose for me what holds the greatest goodness.”
She remained distressed until morning.
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