Saad's pov:

It had been two days since we returned from the hospital and Atifa was recovering; trying to heal. But it wasn't an easy journey, how could it even be? She had not just realized that she lost her best friend years ago and she didn't even know about it but also that she was on the verge of losing ammi and couldn't even do anything about it!

Last night I found her crying hysterically late at night while trying to suppress her sobs and I couldn't even do anything except try to soothe her to sleep. It was not in my hands; nothing was.

Whenever she would return from the hospital after meeting ammi, she would become silent. Even her University and upcoming exams were long forgotten, but I couldn't blame her. Who could even concentrate on their studies in such mental and emotional strain? Not to forget her physical strain which had limited her work.

Today even Amira had gone with her to meet ammi, and surprisingly, even she was silent all the way back home. It made me wonder if there was something which I didn't know about.

And as for me, I was trying to get back on track with my work. I did go to meet ammi with them while dropping them off or picking them up, but I didn't want to invade their privacy. I wanted to give them their time, let them make their memories. But because of their silence I was starting to wonder if I was wrong. If trying to give them their space was a bad idea. I hoped not. I wasn't mentally prepared to hear any other bad news…

"What's wrong?" Finally deciding to break their silence, I inquired cautiously while glancing beside me at Atifa. Since we were going to stay here for a while longer, I had rented a car for our convenience. "Atifa? Is everything okay?" When none of them replied, I added worriedly.

"Yeah. Let's just get back home soon." Turning her face to look out of the window, she replied quietly.

"Amira? Princess is everything really okay? Why are you so silent?" Glancing at the rear view mirror, I asked her, concerned.

"Bhaijaan, will ammi be okay?"

At her counter question, I was left tongue tied for a while. What was I even supposed to tell her? Was I supposed to give her false hope and lie? Or was I supposed to tell her the truth, break her heart just to mentally prepare her for what was to come in the future and possibly let her lose her sanity along the way?

'Did you forget about Khansa?' My mind reprimanded me. How could I even let her get in that state because of me? Just because I… just because I didn't want to lie? Just because I wanted her to be mentally prepared for the upcoming events? Which by the way, I wasn't even sure about! How could I even think of doing that! Shaking myself out of my thoughts, I heard myself replying, my voice strained. "In Sha Allah she will be."

(If God wills)

"But she keeps telling us that she is going to leave us soon. It isn't true, right? She is just trying to scare us. This is one of her other plans to take us away from you again, haina?"

"No princess, no one is going to take you guys away from me again." Sighing, I parked the car at a side and turned back to look at her. Her doe-like orbs glinted with unshed tears as she continued to stare at me, scared.

"So she might be telling us that to make me forgive her, or else she's scared I won't forgive her, haina?" With a wobbly smile, she suggested hopefully.

(Right?)

"And why wouldn't you forgive her? I thought you said that you already forgave her?" When she stayed mum, I turned to look at her properly before adding softly. "She is your ammi, princess."

"I- I did. But I don't know…" She turned her gaze away from me. I knew what she might be contemplating about.

"Accha theek hai. Chalo bahar aao. Let's go for a walk." Sighing, I told them while opening the door.

(Okay fine. Get off the car. Let's go for a walk.)

"Yaha par?" Glancing around, she asked me with a raised brow while Atifa stared out of the window. Her silence was silently killing me from inside.

(Here?)

"Haan, yahi par. Come on, both of you, don't be lazy now." Nodding my head, I replied before closing the door and waiting for them to get out. We all needed a breath of fresh air. And a little bit of talking too.

(Yes, here. Come on, both of you, don't be lazy now.)

._._._.

"Have you heard the story of prophet Yusuf Àlaihissalam?" As we strolled down the pathway silently, with my wife on one side and Amira on the other, I asked Amira quietly while looking up at the sky.

"Yeah…"

"It is my favorite story. Do you remember it?" Glancing at her, I inquired.

"Yes, a bit." Looking up at me nervously, she mumbled.

"Then tell me about it." Looking back at the sky, I replied. Even if it wasn't isha yet, we could still spot stars in the darkening sky. Maybe because there wasn't much pollution or anything here.

"B- but I don't exactly remember it." I could hear her hesitant voice mumble quietly.

"Okay then I'll tell you about it." Smiling slightly, I replied while pocketing my hands and starting. "Yusuf Àlaihissalam was the beloved son of Prophet Yaqub Àlaihissalam, who also had 11 other sons. Binyamin, who was the youngest, was from the same mother as Yusuf Àlaihissalam, while the rest were older half-brothers.

Yusuf Àlaihissalam, was still a young boy when he woke up one glorious morning delighted by a pleasant dream he just had. He ran to his father in excitement and said, “O my father, indeed I have seen eleven stars and the sun and the moon; I saw them prostrating to me.” Yaqub Àlaihissalam was overjoyed in realization that his dear son was indeed chosen by Allah to be bestowed with Prophethood. However, Yaqub Àlaihissalam was concerned about his older sons’ possible reaction to this narration, for even though he treated them the same, they harbored jealousy towards Yusuf Àlaihissalam. He therefore warned Yusuf Àlaihissalam against relating his dream to his brothers, lest they plot for his downfall.

With the passage of time, the malice in the hearts of Yusuf Àlaihissalam's brothers kept growing. They envied Yusuf Àlaihissalam because they felt he was special and they were not. Unable to handle their emotions they devised a plan to get rid of Yusuf Àlaihissalam by throwing him into a well. So, one day they approached their father and suggested that he send Yusuf Àlaihissalam to come with them on an outing. Yaqub Àlaihissalam was reluctant, he said, “Indeed, it saddens me that you should take him and I fear that a wolf would eat him while you are unaware.” But the brothers insisted that they would take extreme care of him and that Yusuf Àlaihissalam would enjoy himself.

The next day, Yusuf Àlaihissalam set off with his brothers. They traveled far, in pursuit of a well deep enough to throw their brother in. When they finally reached the well, on the pretext of drinking water they led him to it, grabbed him, and removed his shirt. Yusuf Àlaihissalam began struggling and pleaded with them to let go. The brothers eventually outpowered Yusuf Àlaihissalam and threw him down the well and rushed back home."

"How can they do this to him?! He was their brother!" Amira gasped, looking astonished.

"Shush, listen to the story before asking anything!" Before I could reply, Atifa reprimanded her with a shake of her head.

Smiling slightly, I continued. "So the brothers ran back to their father carrying Yusuf Àlaihissalam’s shirt that was smeared with sheep’s blood. They cried, “O our father, indeed we went racing with each other and left Yusuf with our possessions, and a wolf ate him.” Yaqub Àlaihissalam was suspicious of their story, he in his heart believed his son was still alive and that the brothers were likely enticed by Shaitan to do evil. He remarked that the wolf was indeed merciful to have eaten his son up without tearing his shirt! He bore the bereavement with patience and prayed for his son’s safe return.

Meanwhile, Yusuf Àlaihissalam managed to cling onto a stone ledge, he prayed fervently to Allah to grant him salvation. Soon, a caravan bound for Egypt stopped at this well to fetch water. The water drawer hauled up his bucket and was shocked to see the handsome boy clinging onto the rope. The caravan people immediately shackled Yusuf Àlaihissalam and took him along to Egypt. There, he was auctioned and sold as a slave to the highest bidder who happened to be the treasurer, Al-Azeez. Yusuf Àlaihissalam’s new master, who had no children, was completely taken with Yusuf Àlaihissalam. He told his wife to take good care of Yusuf Àlaihissalam and they could either use him as slave or take him for a son.

Yusuf Àlaihissalam not only grew up to be a handsome young man but was also blessed with exceptional knowledge and wisdom by Allah. His honesty won the heart of Al-Azeez, who placed Yusuf Àlaihissalam in charge of his household. During this period, Yusuf Àlaihissalam was confronted with his second trial. Zulaika, Al-Azeez’s wife, who watched Yusuf Àlaihissalam day after day, began to feel passionately about him. Her obsession heightened to a degree where she was desperate to fulfill her desire.

One day, when her husband was away from home, she closed the doors and invited Yusuf Àlaihissalam to her. Yusuf Àlaihissalam, fearing Allah, replied, “[I seek] refuge in Allah. Indeed, he is my master, who has made good my residence. Indeed, wrongdoers will not succeed.” He turned away and ran towards the closed door to escape. Zulaika chased after him in desperation and grabbed his shirt from the back which caused his shirt to rip. The door opened and Al-Azeez entered. Ashmed, she ran to him and cried, “What is the recompense of the one who intended evil for your wife but that he be imprisoned or a painful punishment?” Yusuf Àlaihissalam was baffled. He continued to deny his mistress’s claim saying, “It was she who sought to seduce me.”"

"You could have skipped this part." Just as I paused for a while, she muttered while strolling beside me and fidgeting with her fingers as her gaze occasionally flickered over to Amira.

Trying to suppress my smile, which still made its way onto my lips, I replied while holding her left hand firmly, stopping them. "The story would have been incomplete then. And I doubt your sister understood everything that I said."

Before she could reply, Amira interrupted while looking up with a frown. "Bhaijaan? Why aren't you continuing the story?" And as her gaze flickered over to her sister, she whined. "Apiii, you only said that no questions until the story is over, right?!"

Chuckling slightly, I replied as my gaze danced from one sister to another. "Yeah, sorry! I got carried away. But can you understand what I'm saying?"

"Yeah, why?" Her frown deepened as she replied quickly.

"I was just asking. So where was I? Yeah…" Biting my lips, I continued while shaking my head and making circles with the pad of my thumb at the back of her hand. "Al-Azeez was a fair man. He was confused and unsure of whom to believe. So he consulted his wife’s cousin for advice. “If his shirt is torn from the front, then she has told the truth, and he is of the liars,” advised the cousin. Thus, Yusuf Àlaihissalam’s innocence was proven. Al-Azeez apologized for his wife’s indecency and swore Yusuf Àlaihissalam to secrecy.

Nevertheless, the story of Zulaika’s pursuit spread. Other women began ridiculing her character. Distressed, Zulaika planned to prove to them her helpless reaction to Yusuf Àlaihissalam’s extraordinary handsomeness. Hence, she invited these women to a banquet at her residence one day. There she served them fruit along with knives. When the women were happily chatting away while slicing fruits, Zulaika summoned Yusuf Àlaihissalam. The women looked up at him. Astonished at such angelic beauty, they cut their hands without even realizing they had. Zulaika seized the moment to announce that this was the man for whom she was blamed. She then warned Yusuf Àlaihissalam that if he denied her again he would be imprisoned, to which Yusuf Àlaihissalam replied, “My Lord, prison is more to my liking than that to which they invite me.” That night Zulaika convinced her husband that the only way to safeguard her honor and his prestige was to imprison Yusuf Àlaihissalam. Thus, Yusuf Àlaihissalam was thrown into jail.

During Yusuf Àlaihissalam’s time in jail, he was bestowed with the ability to interpret dreams. Two of Yusuf Àlaihissalam’s cell mates, mesmerized by his piety, sought him to have their dreams explained. One dreamt that he was serving the king wine and the other was carrying bread on his head which two birds were eating up. Yusuf initially called them to Allah, then interpreted, “O two companions of prison, as for one of you, he will give drink to his master of wine; but as for the other, he will be crucified, and the birds will eat from his head. The matter has been decreed about which you both inquire.” And he said to the one whom he knew would go free, “Mention me before your master.” But Shaitan made him forget to mention [to] his master, and Yusuf Àlaihissalam remained in prison for several years.

One day the king of Egypt had an odd dream. He summoned his men and said, “Indeed, I have seen seven fat cows being eaten by seven [that were] lean, and seven green spikes [of grain] and others [that were] dry. O eminent ones, explain to me my vision, if you should interpret visions.” The cupbearer, who immediately remembered his companion in prison, informed the King of Yusuf Àlaihissalam and his impeccable dream interpretations. The King sent off his cupbearer to prison to meet with Yusuf Àlaihissalam and inquire about the peculiar dream.

Yusuf Àlaihissalam was overjoyed at the sight of his companion and knew that this was indeed the plan of Allah. He narrated to him, “You will plant for seven years consecutively; and what you harvest leaves in its spikes, except a little from which you will eat. Then will come after those seven difficult [years] which will consume what you advanced [saved] for them, except a little from which you will store. Then will come after that a year in which the people will be given rain and in which they will press [olives and grapes].”

Amazed, the king ordered Yusuf Àlaihissalam to be presented before him. Yusuf Àlaihissalam, however, refused to leave prison until his innocence was proved. The king thus summoned the women relating to Yusuf Àlaihissalam’s incident. The women who had their hands cut, spoke of Yusuf Àlaihissalam’s innocence before the King, “Allah forbid! We know about him no evil.”

The wife of Al-Azeez was trapped. She confessed to the King, “Now the truth has become evident. It was I who sought to seduce him, and indeed, he is truthful.”
Thus, Yusuf Àlaihissalam’s innocence was proven. Released from prison, Yusuf Àlaihissalam stood before the King to thank him for his generosity. The king who was greatly impressed by Yusuf Àlaihissalam’s honest mannerisms and his pleasant personality led him to being appointed as the storekeeper over the storehouses across his land.

Yusuf Àlaihissalam harvested and stored crops during the seven years of fertility. Then there approached the years of famine that also reached the household of Yaqub Àlaihissalam in Canaan. Yaqub Àlaihissalam sent all his sons except Binyamin to Egypt to purchase provisions. Yusuf Àlaihissalam immediately recognized his brothers and provided for them, but kept his identity disguised. He casually inquired about their family. The brothers informed the storekeeper of their house back in Canaan and their father and brother back home. Yusuf Àlaihissalam informed them to bring their younger brother along next time, or they shall receive no further provisions. He also placed the money they had paid with their supplies as an incentive to return.

The brothers returned home and said, “O our father, measure has been denied to us, so send with us our brother [that] we will be given measure. And indeed, we will be his guardians.” Yaqub Àlaihissalam was enraged. How could he trust them when they had failed him terribly with Yusuf Àlaihissalam before? After some time, however, their needs pressed Yaqub Àlaihissalam to send Binyamin with them for more provisions. He took their solemn oath to safeguard him. When they reached Egypt, Yusuf Àlaihissalam drew Binyamin aside and whispered into his ear, “Indeed, I am your brother, so do not despair over what they used to do [to me].”

The following day, Yusuf Àlaihissalam filled his brothers’ bags with grain. He then secretly planted the King’s golden bowl in Binyamin’s bag.

On departing, the brothers were stopped by the King’s soldiers who were looking for the King’s missing cup. The bags of the brothers’ were searched and the missing cup was retrieved from the bag of the youngest brother, Binyamin. The soldiers cried, “O caravan, indeed you are thieves.” The brothers were shocked! The brothers immediately remembered their sick father back home, and their vow to safeguard Binyamin at all cost. They begged the soldiers to release their younger brother and take one of them instead but the soldiers refused. The eldest among the brothers said, “I will never leave this land until my father permits me or Allah decides for me.” So the rest of the brothers left Egypt leaving the eldest behind."

"But why did-" She paused while completing her sentence as her eyes darted towards Atifa. Glancing at her, I saw her glaring at Amira. Chuckling nervously, she added sheepishly. "Oops sorry! Please continue bhaijaan."

"When Yaqub Àlaihissalam learnt of his youngest son’s predicament he wept and wept until he became blind. He resorted to prayer for comfort for he knew that only Allah could ease his pain. Soon, he instructed his sons to return to the King’s land and inquire about their brother.

The sons returned to Egypt once again. They met with Yusuf Àlaihissalam and pleaded that tragedy had befallen them. Yusuf Àlaihissalam then spoke to them in their native language, “Do you know what you did with Yusuf and his brother when you were ignorant?”  It didn’t take long for the brothers to realize that this was indeed their long lost brother and began to tremble in fear. But Yusuf Àlaihissalam comforted them saying, “No reproach on you this day, may Allah forgive you.”  He then said, “Take this, my shirt, and cast it over the face of my father; his eyesight will return.”

As instructed, the brothers cast Yusuf Àlaihissalam’s shirt over their father’s face and Allah miraculously restored his eyesight! They beseeched their father to seek Allah’s forgiveness for them. Together, they all set off to Egypt where Yusuf Àlaihissalam warmly welcomed them. Yusuf Àlaihissalam raised his father upon the throne and said, “O my father, this is the explanation of my vision of before. My Lord has made it reality. And He was certainly good to me when He took me out of prison and brought you [here] from bedouin life after Satan had induced [estrangement] between me and my brothers. Indeed, my Lord is Subtle in what He wills. Indeed, it is He who is the Knowing, the Wise.” Thus, Allah reunited father and son."

"Subhan Allah! It is such a beautiful story." Amira muttered in awe while her orbs glinted in adoration.

"Yes, it is. So what did you learn from it?" Turning my face to look at her, I inquired with a raised brow.

"That indeed after every difficulty there is ease, we should never lose our hope! But why did he put the king's cup in his brother's bag?" Beaming, she replied before frowning by the end of her question.

"Because he wanted his brother to stay with him. He was away from his family for so long. Don't you think he missed them?" Passing her a small smile, I replied.

"Yeah, I didn't think about it..." Looking deep in her thoughts, she nodded her head while looking ahead. "Then why didn't he give them the crops and ask them to bring their youngest brother with them the first time?" A frown rested on her forehead again.

"The other brothers were the sons of Yaqub Àlaihissalam's first wife while he and the other youngest brother were the sons of his second wife. So he wanted to meet him." I replied slowly, trying to word my thoughts such that a ten year old could understand it easily.

"Oh I see…"

"Yusuf Àlaihissalam forgave his brothers even after they did so much wrong, didn't he?" As we turned around to head back towards the car, I asked her.

"Yeah, he did." She nodded her head.

"Then… ammi didn't even do anything wrong. Whatever she did, it was because of her illness. Because she was sick and she didn't want you both to know and worry about her. She didn't want to lose you both." I spoke quietly, hoping not to trigger her off. Even if Atifa could understand it and let it go, it was hard for Amira to do the same. It was enough to taint her mind. And she wasn't mentally prepared to take that blow. We weren't even sure if she would be able to understand ammi's reasons at this age.

"But she did. She lost us both anyway, didn't she?" She replied quietly as an ironic smile played on her lips.

Heaving a deep sigh while tightening my hold on Atifa's hand, I replied. "If you are talking about emotional attachment, then yeah, she did. But that was what she too wanted. She just didn't want you guys to leave. She wanted to spend her last years, her last moments, with you both…"

"Oh… She really wanted to... push us away?" She looked up at me, puzzled.

"Yeah, don't you think so too?... Think about it. Think about whatever she did all these years. And when you realize it, when you are sure about it, forgive her. Forgive your mother Amira, for she has already been through a lot and she deserves to be at peace now. She deserves happiness. But most importantly, you both. She needs you both to be by her side now that you know everything. Will you not fulfill her unasked wish?" From the corner of my eye, I could notice Atifa's shoulders sagging before she pulled her hand from my hold and rubbed her arm. Was she exhausted? Maybe. I wasn't sure.

Looking away, she muttered. "I- I will think about it..."

Trying to change their gloomy moods, I replied enthusiastically while clapping my hand. "Okay, that's good. And now let me conclude this story with its lessons before I forget about it. Prophet Yusuf Àlaihissalam from his dream knew he was destined for greatness but it seemed at every turn of his life he was met with difficulties and adversity. He was betrayed by his brothers, sold as slave, and unjustly imprisoned. Yusuf Àlaihissalam could have chosen to be bitter and question Allah by saying, “I thought you had ordained for me greatness”. He could have easily complained and asked “why do these things keep happening to me”. But he knew better, he knew Allah had a plan for him and he had to just keep faith. Yusuf Àlaihissalam knew by just focusing on being the best he could, treating people right and with respect, doing more than what was requested that Allah would take care of him."

"And he would take care of us and our problems too, haina?" Smiling hopefully, Amira counter questioned.

(Right?)

"Yes, why wouldn't he?" I returned her smile. Spotting an ice-cream parlor nearby, I turned to face her with a grin. "Chalo isi baat par let's have ice cream!"

(On this note let's have ice cream!)

"Look who's offering us ice creams, Mira!" Sounding surprised, Atifa finally spoke up from beside me.

Giggling, Amira replied while covering her mouth. "Yeah, we should agree to it without wasting any time before he changes his mind."

"On another note, let's have dinner instead of ice cream. What do you guys think?" Faking a frown, I teased.

"No." Atifa shook her head.

"A BIG NO! We will have ice cream now. It isn't time for dinner yet and I'm not hungry either." Amira pouted. My aim was to cheer their moods, and if it meant having ice-cream, then so be it.

"But what if you decide against having dinner once you have your ice cream?" As we ascended the stairs of the parlor, I inquired.

Source of Yusuf Àlaihissalam's story: myislam.org

._._._.

• Which is your favourite Surah in the Qur'an?
Mine is Surah Yaseen, the heart of the Qur'an.

._._._.