"ALLAHU AKBAR ALLAHU AKBAR!" The Iqaama for Maghrib was being called out.
Abdul had just finished making Wudu. Even though he hadn't nullified his ablution he just liked to renew it before he did any fard/obligatory prayer. Plus, this prayer was going to be done in congregation at the Masjid. Also, the Angels would be watching because today was a Monday, and they come down every Monday and Thursday.
The Imam that was leading the prayer was Shaykh Gilles. He was always present at the Masjid and Abdul really looked up to him. He was also the one who orchestrated the marriage between Jason and Christy, and Abdul and Shay.
All the Muslim brothers who were present at the Masjid quickly got up and filled the rows. Abdul was the first one up, he stood in the first row like he always does. Even though he was eager to fulfill the prayer and earn the reward from Allah The Most Gracious. The main thing that was on his mind was Shay. He had to immediately go to her house afterwards, he knew she was waiting. At first Abdul was just going to jump on the SEPTA bus bus shortly before the Adhan for Maghrib was called and rush right over to Shay's house. But one of his brothers at the Masjid "Ali Nouman" had agreed to give him a ride over to Shay's house so that he could do the prayer in Jammah. He was one of the first people that he actually confided to and told about his recent marriage and all the worries that he had.
"MASHA'LLAH!" Ali Nouman said and wrapped his arms around him and gave him a hug.
"May Allah bless your marriage and give you many children." Ali Nouman said to him.
"Shukran brother. May Allah bless you as well." Abdul said as he forced a smile.
Nouman could easily tell that the smile was fake and something was troubling his brother.
"What is the matter brother?" Nouman asked Abdul.
Abdul turned his head away then he looked back up at Nouman. "What if it doesn't work brother? I mean, I barely know this girl and the entire relationship is solely based off lust and lasciovousity. And I do not want to get a divorce brother." Abdul said to Nouman with a worried expression on his face.
Nouman looked at Abdul and smiled. "Hasbun Allahu." Nouman simply said.
"Trust in your Lord. You're still very young brother." Nouman said and continued to smile.
"How old were you when you first got married?" Abdul asked.
"32." Nouman said.
"How old are you now?"
"54."
"Oh. Why didn't you get married sooner?" Abdul asked.
Nouman did not reply. Abdul looked closer at his brother. Then he began to smile.
"Allah did not bless you with the good looks that I have. Do not be disheartened brother. Allaah is The One Who chooses."
Nouman sighed. "Would you like me to pick you up afterwards also?"
Abdul held his hand up. "No, it's okay. Thank you brother. I think I will be spending the night at her house." Said Abdul.
"Okay. Make sure to pray Ish'a." Nouman said to Abdul.
Abdul nodded his head. "Insha'llah!"
Immediately after they said the closing Tasleem and made Istighfar they both got in Nouman's black Toyota and started driving towards Shay's house.
Even though Abdul already knew what it meant he still wanted to be reminded.
"Is that supplication in the Qur'an?" Asked Abdul.
Nouman nodded his head. "Ayat number 173 of Surahtul Imran, which is the third chapter of the Qur'an."
Nouman continued. "Sufficient for us is Allah! And He is... The best Disposer of affairs."
Abdul said nothing and only nodded his head.
"You never have to be worried or scared brother because Allah is there for you and He is sufficient. If this marriage is not good for you then Allah will take you out of it because He is the best Disposer of affairs.
"Nam." Abdul replied.
"I want you to know something else brother." Nouman said.
Abdul turned his head towards Nouman and gave him his full attention.
"There are 100 parts to Allah's Mercy. The one part he gives to this Dunya in which people are nice to each other and the bird mother is merciful to her offspring. The other ninety-nine he reserves for the Believers in the Hereafter. So do not ever despair in the Mercy of Ar Rahman. Whatever calamity may befall you in this Dunya is trivial and insignifant compared to what Allah has in store for you in the Hereafter."
Abdul has heard this Hadeeth before. Nouman frequently mentioned it in his Khutbah/sermon that he gives every Friday.
Abdul turned his head towards Nouman. "I have a question brother."
"Insha'llah I have an answer." Nouman replied.
"In the Qur'an it states that Allah is infinite in mercy. But in the hadeeth that you just mentioned to me it limits the Mercy of Ar Rahman." Said Abdul.
"Allah is indeed infinite in His Mercy." Nouman said.
Abdul said nothing. They arrived at Shay's house. Nouman parked his black Toyota on the side of the street and turned off the engine.
"The Qur'an takes precedence over the Sunnah. And there are no contradictions between each. Because a contradiction is indication of a flaw. And there is no flaw between the two." Nouman said.
"The Messenger of Allah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam was truthful in everything he conveyed. Just because one does not understand something does not mean that it's erroneous. Allah's Knowledge far exceeds ours. In Islam we have to realize this and once we do we have to Submit." Nouman continued.
"Everything that he said, Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam. Is Wahiy, Divine Revelation." Nouman added.
"Nam." Abdul said. He then shook his brother's hand and stepped out the vehicle.
"May Allah increase your knowledge." Nouman said to Abdul.
"May Allah give you all the goodness of this Dunya and the Akhira."
"Insha'llah!" Nouman said as he drove away.
Abdul walked up to the front doorstep of Shay's house and gave three gentle knocks on the door. After about a minute and half no one answered the door, so Abdul gave two more slightly louder knocks. An elderly woman who looked to be in her mid-80's came and opened the door. Abdul guessed this must've been the mother of Shay. He gave a wide smile and waved.
"Hello mommy!" Abdul said. He wanted to hug her.
The woman laughed lightly. "My name is Tabitha. I am the grandmother of Shekira." She said.
"Oh... I'm sorry." Abdul said.
"Can you still be my mommy?" Abdul asked as his face lit up.
The woman gave a loud snicker. She then opened the door wider and stepped to the side.
"Come in, honey." Tabitha said.
"Thanks mommy!" Abdul said as he stepped in.
A pleasant fragrance of Febreeze air freshner splashed over the face of Abdul as he stepped in. And someone was also in the kitchen cooking.
"Is that my mommy?" Abdul said as he pointed in the direction of the kitchen.
Tabitha gave another light snicker and held her hands over her mouth. "No, that is Shekira. She will be out shortly. I believe she's making some type of chicken soup. Are you hungry?"
"Yes mommy! I haven't eaten all day." Abdul exclaimed.
"Wonderful!" Tabitha said.
"Sit down, please. She will be done shortly." Tabitha said to Abdul as she gestured for him to have a seat on the couch.
Abdul sat down calmly and reclined on the couch. Tabitha took a seat next to him.
"So tell me about yourself Abdul, is that right?" Tabitha said.
"No, that is my slave name. You can just call me Mac Daddy DuLi." Abdul said.
Tabitha snickered loudly. "How old are you?"
"Currently I am sixteen. Next year I will be seventeen, and after that I will be eighteen." Said Abdul.
Abdul was about to ask Tabitha about her age but then Nouman's face appeared in his head.
"So what are your interests and what do you like to do on your leisure times." Asked Tabitha.
"Worship my Lord and draw closer to Him. So that I may enter Paradise." Abdul said.
Tabitha did not reply. She only stared at him.
"Tell me about your Lord?" She asked.
Abdul quickly held his index finger up. "My Lord is One. And He deserves all worship!"
Tabitha looked at Abdul as he spoke. She could see it, but she didn't want to say nothing.
Shay then waltzed in the room, she was carrying a glass bowl and a smile was on her face. She placed the bowl on the table next to Abdul on the couch. "Are you hungry?"
"Indubitably!" Abdul replied. He gave his wife a soft peck on the cheek and grabbed the spoon that was in the bowl and began to eat.
It was indeed the most disgusting thing that he ever tasted. Abdul forced a smile and continued to eat.