Terfaktab

If I ever get married one day *cough,cough*, and have a daughter, I will pick a night with her and talk about love and life.  On that night I shall buy her a scarf, sit by her bedside and tell her this. “My dear daughter, here is a scarf; wear it. Now I know you are going to cringe and sulk right now, and you are going to ask why. And you are going to expect me to lecture you about the justification from AnNur word by word, noun by noun. But no, I’m not going to do that. You can pick the Book later, anytime, and read it anywhere. But I will tell you this—wear it because you want to, not because you need to.   My dear daughter, At one point in your life, you will see your friends in latest trends and fashion. You will see the popular and the pretty, always in their full-faced makeup, tiniest dresses, and colorful tresses. How  they are admired and seemingly loved by many, and you are tempted to follow them. Don’t. Wear normal, simple clothes....

It was the 1950s. Emran was the only male child of seven, in Syed al-Yamani’s family. The youngest of the family, the apple of the eye, was very lavished by her mother, Syarifah Khatija. Syarifah Khatija was a strict old lady, especially after being the sole breadwinner when the patriarch passed away. Although strict, Syarifah gave his son everything—the best education, the best clothes and taught the best of manners and he grew to be a very fine young man. At twenty-one, now working a good job and saving a lot of money, It is time now for Emran to marry. Emran was ready too, he was mature and popular among the girls so Syarifah half-expected that he’d have a good candidate. “ Ummi, I have known this friend, a female friend. ” Emran said one day. “ Good? What’s her name? ” “ Aisyah. ” “ Aisyah? Aisyah what? ” “ Aisyah binti Burhan, ummi. ” “ Hm. Just friends, I hope. No fancy stuff. “ His mother was silent after that. Maybe his mother didn’t know this girl, that’s why she looks ...