In the end, the final piece of advice Umma gave him was to go ahead and deliver the gifts to them. Perhaps, by getting a chance to see them in person, he would find some solace and relief for his longing heart.
He had memorized her phone number so thoroughly it felt like a well-rehearsed verse, though he wasn’t entirely certain which specific person among those they had listed it belonged to. He quickly saved it in his own phone. He paused for a moment in deep reflection. Should he call first, or should he just go directly to the house? But if he went there directly, whose name would he mention as the person he came to visit? Left with two difficult choices, he had to pick one. Ultimately, he decided to dial the number.
Meanwhile, Naja'atu was sitting comfortably on a small cushion in her parlor. Her close friend Hafsa, who had paid her a visit, was gently applying hair oil to Naja'atu’s long, silky hair. Husna was lying right beside her, fast asleep. Little Hassan was happily playing nearby. Whenever Naja'atu was at home, the children followed her everywhere like shadows, but whenever she left for school, they would stay under Inna's loving care until she returned.
Suddenly, Naja'atu's phone began to ring. Seeing an unfamiliar number on the screen, she hesitated and let it ring until it cut off without answering. The number called again, and then a third time. By the fourth persistent ring, Hafsa glanced down at her and teased, “Haba, my dear friend! Why don't you just answer it? If you won't, then hand the phone over to me so I can answer it myself. Who knows, maybe we’ve just landed you a brand-new suitor!”
Without saying a word, Naja'atu finally swiped the screen and lifted the phone to her ear.
"Peace be upon you," a deep voice resonated from the other end. "Please, for the sake of Allah, could I be connected to my little friends, Hassan and Husna? I just really need to hear how they are doing. I haven't been able to find a single moment of peace or rest ever since the moment I met them. Honestly, I feel exactly as if they are my very own children." He then fell silent, waiting to see how she would respond.
The moment his *husky voice* echoed through the line, its deep, melodious tone sent a pleasant shiver straight to her core. His final words deeply touched her heart. Before she could even process it, the words slipped out of her mouth: “Is this... Uncle the Artist? The one everyone here keeps talking about?”
Sulaiman smiled warmly on his end, as if he were standing right in front of her. “Yes, it is me. Architect Sulaiman T. Kazaure, Uncle the Artist. I truly hope you won't deny me the joy of hearing my children's voices?”
"Here they are," she replied softly.
She turned and handed the phone over to Hassan. “Hassan, look, it's Uncle the Artist.”
Bubbling with pure excitement, Hassan grabbed the phone and immediately launched into a non-stop, animated conversation with him. Naja'atu listened closely until she heard Hassan tell him, “Husna is already asleep.”
As the phone call continued, Naja'atu and Hafsa fell back into their own chat, though Naja'atu’s mind remained completely occupied by the lively conversation Hassan was having. After a while, Hassan handed the phone back to her and pressed it against her ear.
"Please, Mamynmu," Sulaiman’s voice came through, soft and pleading. “May I have permission to come over and see my children?”
A gentle laugh escaped her lips as she replied, “Permission granted.”
She didn't quite understand why, but even before their formal meeting, his presence felt incredibly comforting to her soul—perhaps simply because of the profound love he showed toward her children. They exchanged their final pleasantries with warm smiles before hanging up the phone.
True to his word, later that very afternoon, Sulaiman arrived at the house. Even though Naja'atu didn't step outside to greet him personally, he was absolutely thrilled just to spend time with the children he had come to see. They chatted merrily, and he played along with them, even taking several photos together. Before leaving, he presented them with the abundance of gifts he had bought, alongside a beautiful, large sketch he had drawn of them—a magnificent portrait featuring just the two children, as well as another one where he had creatively sketched himself alongside them. He waited until he watched them safely step back inside the house before he finally turned to leave.
Inside, the family gathered around to thoroughly inspect the gifts. Naja'atu’s eyes instantly locked onto the sketch of a remarkably handsome young Hausa gentleman from the lineage of Kazaure. Looking at the portrait, a strange, beautiful warmth flooded her heart, and she found her fingers gently tracing the lines of their faces on the paper.
Inna watched Naja'atu's every movement and the subtle shift in her expression. A knowing, mature smile spread across Inna's face; she was content to quietly observe the unfolding waters of this budding romance.
Part 2: A Growing Affection and the Golden Secret
As time passed, the frequent phone calls between Sulaiman and Naja'atu grew under the loving pretext of him checking up on Hassan and Husna. The bond deepened rapidly, twisting itself so deeply into their daily lives that a single day without speaking left both of them feeling entirely unsettled. They began constantly exchanging sweet text messages. Even though they hadn't spent much physical time together yet, a profound sense of *Love and Deep Attachment* silently blossomed within their hearts. For Naja'atu, seeing how intensely he loved her children made him earn a permanent, treasured sanctuary within her soul.
One evening, after Sulaiman finished his usual chat with the children over the phone, he murmured, “Please, hand the phone over to your Mamy.”
The kids handed the phone to her and immediately ran off to watch cartoons that Deedat had turned on for them.
In a tone of voice she had never heard him use before—soft, deeply tender, and laced with an endearing playfulness—he murmured, “My Mamy!”
The sweet resonance of his voice vibrated through her entire being, making her feel as though he was the only person in the world who truly knew how to utter that name beautifully.
In a soft, slightly bashful voice, she replied, “Yes, Uncle? Have I suddenly become yours today?”
As if he could see the blush on her face through the phone, he smiled and replied, “I would love nothing more than that, my Mamy.”
Naja'atu closed her eyes tightly, her heart fluttering. She wondered how a man could handle the delicate chambers of her heart with such beautifully crafted words, wishing he would show some mercy instead of overwhelming her emotions so thoroughly.
He continued softly, "Please, give me the chance to prove my love to you. You will never have a single worry with me. In short, let me share my life story with you." He then gave her a brief, beautiful summary of his biography. When he finally hung up the phone, he left her completely stranded in a sea of deep, romantic reflection.
Letting out a long, heavy breath, a soft smile played on her lips. Deep down, she knew this was exactly where her heart was bound to lead her.
### Blessings and a Radiant First Encounter
Naja'atu kept absolutely nothing hidden from Inna regarding her relationship with Sulaiman. She shared everything he had told her about his life and intentions. Hearing this, Inna showered them with beautiful blessings, praying that Almighty Allah would bless their union and guide their choices.
On Sulaiman's side, he formally informed his mother that he had finally found the woman he wished to marry. However, he carefully added that she was a divorcée who already had two beautiful children. Upon hearing this, his mother went entirely silent for a moment, as if hesitating to speak.
Eventually, she looked up and asked, “But does the young lady truly love you in return?”
A confident smile spread across Sulaiman’s face. “You have absolutely nothing to worry about, my dearest Umma. Please, accept her as your daughter-in-law and your son's wife. She is the woman who will give your youngest son absolute care, peace, and happiness.”
His mother gazed at him tenderly before smiling. “May Allah bring forth the absolute best and bless this union with goodness.”
Overjoyed, Sulaiman wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug. "I love you so much, Umma! Thank you, thank you!" He then planted a soft, loving kiss on her forehead.
His mother burst into a warm laugh, already vividly imagining how the woman who married her Sulaiman would have her hands full, constantly pampering and balancing his playful, affectionate nature—because despite being a grown man, he had never truly outgrown his sweet, boyish charms. They continued their warm family chat until his phone rang, prompting him to step out of the house.
The nervous fluttering in Naja'atu's chest intensified dramatically that afternoon, ever since Sulaiman (Uncle the Artist) sent a message saying he was on his way to see her. She applied a touch of simple, minimal makeup—a luxury she hadn't afforded herself in a very long time. She dressed in an elegant *mint blue* lace shirt and skirt, styled in a chic, modern fashion. After applying a subtle mist of her favorite *Urban Woman* perfume, she draped a large, graceful shawl over her shoulders. Her little shadows, Hassan and Husna, were right by her side, looking impeccably dressed and well-groomed. They sat unusually quiet and well-behaved, as if silently pleading with their mother not to even think about leaving them behind inside. Looking down at them, Naja'atu couldn't help but smile warmly.
Suddenly, her phone vibrated with a ringtone. Hassan quickly picked it up and handed it to his mother. The name "Uncle Sman" flashed brightly across the screen—the exact name she had saved him under. For a split second, Naja'atu felt completely flustered and anxious, as if she were an innocent young girl who had never stood before a man in her entire life. Taking a deep, stabilizing breath, she finally swiped the screen and answered.
From the other end, his soft, melodic voice came through, carrying an endearing, playful humility. "Long live the Queen! I truly hope I find you all in perfect health and happiness?" he asked, his voice sounding so intimate it felt as if he were standing directly beside her.
A beautiful smile broke across her face as they exchanged warm greetings. He informed her that he had officially arrived at the estate, and she instructed that he be properly escorted inside. After a few more sweet words, she quietly hung up the phone.
Naja'atu informed Inna of his arrival, who immediately instructed young Fawad to escort Sulaiman into their father's formal guest parlor. Refreshments were brought out to him—a chilled, perfectly prepared pitcher of fresh ginger juice, served alongside freshly baked meat pies.
Feeling a sudden wave of shy nervousness, Naja'atu turned to Inna, saying she was ready to go meet him. Inna watched her walk out with a proud, loving smile, silently reciting prayers of goodness for her daughter's future.
Sulaiman was sitting comfortably on one of the elegant sofas in the parlor, directly facing the entrance, quietly scrolling through his phone. The moment her soft, sweet, and enchanting voice delivered the traditional Islamic greeting, *"Assalamu Alaikum,"* his head snapped up. He responded to the greeting, his eyes locking instantly onto her. As Naja'atu raised her gaze, their eyes met, and a powerful, unfamiliar spark of pure electricity surged through both of their souls. Flustered by the intensity of the moment, Naja'atu quickly averted her eyes, lowering her head in a beautiful display of modesty.
She walked over gracefully and took a seat on a sofa slightly to the side. Little Hassan and Husna immediately bolted toward him, each tightly clinging to the legs of their beloved "Uncle the Artist," as they affectionately called him.
Naja'atu leaned forward slightly, bowing her head out of profound respect as she greeted him properly. "Good afternoon, welcome." Her voice sounded as sweet and pure as the melody of a flute.
He replied warmly, “Good afternoon to you too, my beautiful lady. I hope I find you all in perfect health?”
A brilliant smile lit up her features, accentuating her breathtaking beauty. “We are perfectly fine, thank you. How is everyone back home?”
He launched into an engaging conversation with her, though a significant portion of their chat naturally revolved around the children. Hassan and Husna dominated the room, which allowed Naja'atu to slowly let her guard down and feel completely comfortable in his presence.
Sulaiman then reached down and picked up two beautifully wrapped bags he had kept by his side. Handing one to each child, he said, "Go take these directly to Inna." Having learned all about Inna through his continuous chats with the twins, he had made sure to include an assortment of delicious sweets for them. The children squealed with pure joy and scurried out of the room. Both Naja'atu and Sulaiman watched their retreat, warm smiles gracing their lips.
Suddenly, a bright flash illuminated the room. *Flash!* Naja'atu snapped her head around to look at him, only to find him flashing her that uniquely dazzling, exclusive smile that he rarely bestowed upon anyone else. She spotted his phone held up in his hand, clearly indicating that he had just taken a candid photo of her.
Seeing her fix her large, *bold eyes* directly on him in surprise, Sulaiman quickly offered a smooth, charming explanation. “I am so sorry, my Mamy. I just really wanted to take a photo to show my Umma her jaw-droppingly beautiful future daughter-in-law. That’s the only reason I took the snap, even though your true, original portrait has already been permanently engraved in a massive album at the absolute bottom of my heart.”
Naja'atu quickly lowered her head again, her cheeks burning from the intense, raw admiration radiating from his gaze.
Sulaiman murmured softly, “Honestly, if you keep treating me to that breathtaking smile of yours—the kind that completely captivates a man’s entire soul—I might just have to move into this house permanently tonight. Above all else, your beautiful modesty and shyness only fuel my intense longing to spend every waking moment of my life by your side.”
Right then and there, he began to lay bare the *Grand Secret* of his heart. Naja'atu listened in absolute amazement. She marvelled at how, from the very *first official meeting*, a man could be so incredibly forward, passionate, and certain of his desires. She realized she would have to be completely honest with herself to fully comprehend the sheer depth of the love he was offering her.
Her breath caught as Sulaiman looked at her with complete sincerity and stated, “Naja'atu, a humble servant stands before you today, holding out his bowl to beg for the ultimate charity of your love—a love that will lead us straight to a blessed marriage. I want *You and I* to become one, sheltered beneath the exact same roof. A husband has come to you for the second time in your life. However, I am going to grant you some time to thoroughly think it over. But as far as I am concerned, I want the time between this meeting and our wedding day to be no longer than two months. Honestly, I wouldn't want to wait a single day longer.”
Without even waiting for her to formulate a response, he warmly said his goodbyes and stepped out. Naja'atu’s eyes followed his retreating figure until he completely exited the compound. With a deeply fluttering heart, she slowly gathered her scattered emotions and walked back into the main house.
Part 3: Divine Guidance and a Sacred Union
In the days that followed, Naja'atu found herself completely restless. Realizing that overthinking would bring her no clarity, she turned entirely to prayers, seeking the ultimate guidance and choice from Almighty Allah. She even lost a bit of weight from the emotional weight, prompting Inna to sit her down for another round of deeply comforting motherly advice.
Every single night, in the quiet solitude of the midnight hours, she would perform a special two-rak'ah voluntary prayer of *Salatul Istikhara*, crying out to her Lord for the perfect choice.
> *To my fellow Muslim brothers and sisters: whenever an issue becomes clouded in darkness for us, or whenever we feel completely entangled and confused regarding any life decision—be it seeking employment, pursuing marriage, or academic paths—let us practice patience. Through patience and turning to Allah, every difficult matter becomes beautifully simple.*
>
This sacred supplication is found inside the text of *Hisnul Muslim* (The Fortress of the Muslim) and various other authentic Islamic books of prayer:
> *Jabir bin Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: The Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings be Upon Him) used to teach us the way of doing Istikhara in all matters as he taught us the Surahs of the Qur'an. He said: "If anyone of you thinks of doing any job, he should offer a two-rak'ah prayer other than the compulsory ones and say (after the prayer):*
> *(O Allah, I seek Your guidance through Your knowledge, and I seek power through Your power, and I ask of You from Your immense bounty. For You are powerful and I am not, and You know and I know not, and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter [state your specific request here] is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the aftermath of my affairs, then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and bless me in it. And if You know that this matter [state your request here] is harmful to me in my religion, my livelihood, and the aftermath of my affairs, then turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and decree for me goodness wherever it may be, and make me pleased with it.")"*
>
If a believer consistently performs this prayer with absolute sincerity, by the grace of Almighty Allah, they will always find perfect alignment, clarity, and the ultimate divine choice.
Meanwhile, Sulaiman formally informed his father that he had found the woman he wished to marry. His parents' hearts overflowed with joy; the continuous prayers they had sent up for him for years had finally answered. Plans were immediately set in motion to formally go and seek her hand in marriage.
Before long, the elders from both families stepped into the discussions. An agreement was smoothly reached, and the wedding date was officially set. It was decided that the marriage contract would be solemnized alongside her other relatives, and she would move into his home at a later date.
The wedding preparations began in full swing. The brides of the household were being carefully prepped, pampered, and beautified according to the honorable traditions of the Sunnah.
The phone calls between Sulaiman and Naja'atu grew even more frequent and intense. In fact, they occasionally got into playful arguments because Naja'atu still felt a bit shy and hesitant to completely let her guard down and fully immerse herself in their romance. Her twins, Hassan and Husna, had practically become permanent fixtures in the household of "Uncle the Artist." Absolutely everyone in his family knew of their existence, except for a few of his older siblings who lived far away or happened to visit when the children weren't around. Sulaiman had beautifully woven himself into the very fabric of the children's lives, filling a massive, empty void within their little hearts and
A Mother's Advice and a Sudden Connection
In the end, the final piece of advice Umma gave him was to go ahead and deliver the gifts to them. Perhaps, by getting a chance to see them in person, he would find some solace and relief for his longing heart.
He had memorized her phone number so thoroughly it felt like a well-rehearsed verse, though he wasn’t entirely certain which specific person among those they had listed it belonged to. He quickly saved it in his own phone. He paused for a moment in deep reflection. Should he call first, or should he just go directly to the house? But if he went there directly, whose name would he mention as the person he came to visit? Left with two difficult choices, he had to pick one. Ultimately, he decided to dial the number.
Meanwhile, Naja'atu was sitting comfortably on a small cushion in her parlor. Her close friend Hafsa, who had paid her a visit, was gently applying hair oil to Naja'atu’s long, silky hair. Husna was lying right beside her, fast asleep. Little Hassan was happily playing nearby. Whenever Naja'atu was at home, the children followed her everywhere like shadows, but whenever she left for school, they would stay under Inna's loving care until she returned.
Suddenly, Naja'atu's phone began to ring. Seeing an unfamiliar number on the screen, she hesitated and let it ring until it cut off without answering. The number called again, and then a third time. By the fourth persistent ring, Hafsa glanced down at her and teased, “Haba, my dear friend! Why don't you just answer it? If you won't, then hand the phone over to me so I can answer it myself. Who knows, maybe we’ve just landed you a brand-new suitor!”
Without saying a word, Naja'atu finally swiped the screen and lifted the phone to her ear.
"Peace be upon you," a deep voice resonated from the other end. "Please, for the sake of Allah, could I be connected to my little friends, Hassan and Husna? I just really need to hear how they are doing. I haven't been able to find a single moment of peace or rest ever since the moment I met them. Honestly, I feel exactly as if they are my very own children." He then fell silent, waiting to see how she would respond.
The moment his *husky voice* echoed through the line, its deep, melodious tone sent a pleasant shiver straight to her core. His final words deeply touched her heart. Before she could even process it, the words slipped out of her mouth: “Is this... Uncle the Artist? The one everyone here keeps talking about?”
Sulaiman smiled warmly on his end, as if he were standing right in front of her. “Yes, it is me. Architect Sulaiman T. Kazaure, Uncle the Artist. I truly hope you won't deny me the joy of hearing my children's voices?”
"Here they are," she replied softly.
She turned and handed the phone over to Hassan. “Hassan, look, it's Uncle the Artist.”
Bubbling with pure excitement, Hassan grabbed the phone and immediately launched into a non-stop, animated conversation with him. Naja'atu listened closely until she heard Hassan tell him, “Husna is already asleep.”
As the phone call continued, Naja'atu and Hafsa fell back into their own chat, though Naja'atu’s mind remained completely occupied by the lively conversation Hassan was having. After a while, Hassan handed the phone back to her and pressed it against her ear.
"Please, Mamynmu," Sulaiman’s voice came through, soft and pleading. “May I have permission to come over and see my children?”
A gentle laugh escaped her lips as she replied, “Permission granted.”
She didn't quite understand why, but even before their formal meeting, his presence felt incredibly comforting to her soul—perhaps simply because of the profound love he showed toward her children. They exchanged their final pleasantries with warm smiles before hanging up the phone.
True to his word, later that very afternoon, Sulaiman arrived at the house. Even though Naja'atu didn't step outside to greet him personally, he was absolutely thrilled just to spend time with the children he had come to see. They chatted merrily, and he played along with them, even taking several photos together. Before leaving, he presented them with the abundance of gifts he had bought, alongside a beautiful, large sketch he had drawn of them—a magnificent portrait featuring just the two children, as well as another one where he had creatively sketched himself alongside them. He waited until he watched them safely step back inside the house before he finally turned to leave.
Inside, the family gathered around to thoroughly inspect the gifts. Naja'atu’s eyes instantly locked onto the sketch of a remarkably handsome young Hausa gentleman from the lineage of Kazaure. Looking at the portrait, a strange, beautiful warmth flooded her heart, and she found her fingers gently tracing the lines of their faces on the paper.
Inna watched Naja'atu's every movement and the subtle shift in her expression. A knowing, mature smile spread across Inna's face; she was content to quietly observe the unfolding waters of this budding romance.
Part 2: A Growing Affection and the Golden Secret
As time passed, the frequent phone calls between Sulaiman and Naja'atu grew under the loving pretext of him checking up on Hassan and Husna. The bond deepened rapidly, twisting itself so deeply into their daily lives that a single day without speaking left both of them feeling entirely unsettled. They began constantly exchanging sweet text messages. Even though they hadn't spent much physical time together yet, a profound sense of *Love and Deep Attachment* silently blossomed within their hearts. For Naja'atu, seeing how intensely he loved her children made him earn a permanent, treasured sanctuary within her soul.
One evening, after Sulaiman finished his usual chat with the children over the phone, he murmured, “Please, hand the phone over to your Mamy.”
The kids handed the phone to her and immediately ran off to watch cartoons that Deedat had turned on for them.
In a tone of voice she had never heard him use before—soft, deeply tender, and laced with an endearing playfulness—he murmured, “My Mamy!”
The sweet resonance of his voice vibrated through her entire being, making her feel as though he was the only person in the world who truly knew how to utter that name beautifully.
In a soft, slightly bashful voice, she replied, “Yes, Uncle? Have I suddenly become yours today?”
As if he could see the blush on her face through the phone, he smiled and replied, “I would love nothing more than that, my Mamy.”
Naja'atu closed her eyes tightly, her heart fluttering. She wondered how a man could handle the delicate chambers of her heart with such beautifully crafted words, wishing he would show some mercy instead of overwhelming her emotions so thoroughly.
He continued softly, "Please, give me the chance to prove my love to you. You will never have a single worry with me. In short, let me share my life story with you." He then gave her a brief, beautiful summary of his biography. When he finally hung up the phone, he left her completely stranded in a sea of deep, romantic reflection.
Letting out a long, heavy breath, a soft smile played on her lips. Deep down, she knew this was exactly where her heart was bound to lead her.
### Blessings and a Radiant First Encounter
Naja'atu kept absolutely nothing hidden from Inna regarding her relationship with Sulaiman. She shared everything he had told her about his life and intentions. Hearing this, Inna showered them with beautiful blessings, praying that Almighty Allah would bless their union and guide their choices.
On Sulaiman's side, he formally informed his mother that he had finally found the woman he wished to marry. However, he carefully added that she was a divorcée who already had two beautiful children. Upon hearing this, his mother went entirely silent for a moment, as if hesitating to speak.
Eventually, she looked up and asked, “But does the young lady truly love you in return?”
A confident smile spread across Sulaiman’s face. “You have absolutely nothing to worry about, my dearest Umma. Please, accept her as your daughter-in-law and your son's wife. She is the woman who will give your youngest son absolute care, peace, and happiness.”
His mother gazed at him tenderly before smiling. “May Allah bring forth the absolute best and bless this union with goodness.”
Overjoyed, Sulaiman wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug. "I love you so much, Umma! Thank you, thank you!" He then planted a soft, loving kiss on her forehead.
His mother burst into a warm laugh, already vividly imagining how the woman who married her Sulaiman would have her hands full, constantly pampering and balancing his playful, affectionate nature—because despite being a grown man, he had never truly outgrown his sweet, boyish charms. They continued their warm family chat until his phone rang, prompting him to step out of the house.
The nervous fluttering in Naja'atu's chest intensified dramatically that afternoon, ever since Sulaiman (Uncle the Artist) sent a message saying he was on his way to see her. She applied a touch of simple, minimal makeup—a luxury she hadn't afforded herself in a very long time. She dressed in an elegant *mint blue* lace shirt and skirt, styled in a chic, modern fashion. After applying a subtle mist of her favorite *Urban Woman* perfume, she draped a large, graceful shawl over her shoulders. Her little shadows, Hassan and Husna, were right by her side, looking impeccably dressed and well-groomed. They sat unusually quiet and well-behaved, as if silently pleading with their mother not to even think about leaving them behind inside. Looking down at them, Naja'atu couldn't help but smile warmly.
Suddenly, her phone vibrated with a ringtone. Hassan quickly picked it up and handed it to his mother. The name "Uncle Sman" flashed brightly across the screen—the exact name she had saved him under. For a split second, Naja'atu felt completely flustered and anxious, as if she were an innocent young girl who had never stood before a man in her entire life. Taking a deep, stabilizing breath, she finally swiped the screen and answered.
From the other end, his soft, melodic voice came through, carrying an endearing, playful humility. "Long live the Queen! I truly hope I find you all in perfect health and happiness?" he asked, his voice sounding so intimate it felt as if he were standing directly beside her.
A beautiful smile broke across her face as they exchanged warm greetings. He informed her that he had officially arrived at the estate, and she instructed that he be properly escorted inside. After a few more sweet words, she quietly hung up the phone.
Naja'atu informed Inna of his arrival, who immediately instructed young Fawad to escort Sulaiman into their father's formal guest parlor. Refreshments were brought out to him—a chilled, perfectly prepared pitcher of fresh ginger juice, served alongside freshly baked meat pies.
Feeling a sudden wave of shy nervousness, Naja'atu turned to Inna, saying she was ready to go meet him. Inna watched her walk out with a proud, loving smile, silently reciting prayers of goodness for her daughter's future.
Sulaiman was sitting comfortably on one of the elegant sofas in the parlor, directly facing the entrance, quietly scrolling through his phone. The moment her soft, sweet, and enchanting voice delivered the traditional Islamic greeting, *"Assalamu Alaikum,"* his head snapped up. He responded to the greeting, his eyes locking instantly onto her. As Naja'atu raised her gaze, their eyes met, and a powerful, unfamiliar spark of pure electricity surged through both of their souls. Flustered by the intensity of the moment, Naja'atu quickly averted her eyes, lowering her head in a beautiful display of modesty.
She walked over gracefully and took a seat on a sofa slightly to the side. Little Hassan and Husna immediately bolted toward him, each tightly clinging to the legs of their beloved "Uncle the Artist," as they affectionately called him.
Naja'atu leaned forward slightly, bowing her head out of profound respect as she greeted him properly. "Good afternoon, welcome." Her voice sounded as sweet and pure as the melody of a flute.
He replied warmly, “Good afternoon to you too, my beautiful lady. I hope I find you all in perfect health?”
A brilliant smile lit up her features, accentuating her breathtaking beauty. “We are perfectly fine, thank you. How is everyone back home?”
He launched into an engaging conversation with her, though a significant portion of their chat naturally revolved around the children. Hassan and Husna dominated the room, which allowed Naja'atu to slowly let her guard down and feel completely comfortable in his presence.
Sulaiman then reached down and picked up two beautifully wrapped bags he had kept by his side. Handing one to each child, he said, "Go take these directly to Inna." Having learned all about Inna through his continuous chats with the twins, he had made sure to include an assortment of delicious sweets for them. The children squealed with pure joy and scurried out of the room. Both Naja'atu and Sulaiman watched their retreat, warm smiles gracing their lips.
Suddenly, a bright flash illuminated the room. *Flash!* Naja'atu snapped her head around to look at him, only to find him flashing her that uniquely dazzling, exclusive smile that he rarely bestowed upon anyone else. She spotted his phone held up in his hand, clearly indicating that he had just taken a candid photo of her.
Seeing her fix her large, *bold eyes* directly on him in surprise, Sulaiman quickly offered a smooth, charming explanation. “I am so sorry, my Mamy. I just really wanted to take a photo to show my Umma her jaw-droppingly beautiful future daughter-in-law. That’s the only reason I took the snap, even though your true, original portrait has already been permanently engraved in a massive album at the absolute bottom of my heart.”
Naja'atu quickly lowered her head again, her cheeks burning from the intense, raw admiration radiating from his gaze.
Sulaiman murmured softly, “Honestly, if you keep treating me to that breathtaking smile of yours—the kind that completely captivates a man’s entire soul—I might just have to move into this house permanently tonight. Above all else, your beautiful modesty and shyness only fuel my intense longing to spend every waking moment of my life by your side.”
Right then and there, he began to lay bare the *Grand Secret* of his heart. Naja'atu listened in absolute amazement. She marvelled at how, from the very *first official meeting*, a man could be so incredibly forward, passionate, and certain of his desires. She realized she would have to be completely honest with herself to fully comprehend the sheer depth of the love he was offering her.
Her breath caught as Sulaiman looked at her with complete sincerity and stated, “Naja'atu, a humble servant stands before you today, holding out his bowl to beg for the ultimate charity of your love—a love that will lead us straight to a blessed marriage. I want *You and I* to become one, sheltered beneath the exact same roof. A husband has come to you for the second time in your life. However, I am going to grant you some time to thoroughly think it over. But as far as I am concerned, I want the time between this meeting and our wedding day to be no longer than two months. Honestly, I wouldn't want to wait a single day longer.”
Without even waiting for her to formulate a response, he warmly said his goodbyes and stepped out. Naja'atu’s eyes followed his retreating figure until he completely exited the compound. With a deeply fluttering heart, she slowly gathered her scattered emotions and walked back into the main house.
Part 3: Divine Guidance and a Sacred Union
In the days that followed, Naja'atu found herself completely restless. Realizing that overthinking would bring her no clarity, she turned entirely to prayers, seeking the ultimate guidance and choice from Almighty Allah. She even lost a bit of weight from the emotional weight, prompting Inna to sit her down for another round of deeply comforting motherly advice.
Every single night, in the quiet solitude of the midnight hours, she would perform a special two-rak'ah voluntary prayer of *Salatul Istikhara*, crying out to her Lord for the perfect choice.
> *To my fellow Muslim brothers and sisters: whenever an issue becomes clouded in darkness for us, or whenever we feel completely entangled and confused regarding any life decision—be it seeking employment, pursuing marriage, or academic paths—let us practice patience. Through patience and turning to Allah, every difficult matter becomes beautifully simple.*
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This sacred supplication is found inside the text of *Hisnul Muslim* (The Fortress of the Muslim) and various other authentic Islamic books of prayer:
> *Jabir bin Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: The Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings be Upon Him) used to teach us the way of doing Istikhara in all matters as he taught us the Surahs of the Qur'an. He said: "If anyone of you thinks of doing any job, he should offer a two-rak'ah prayer other than the compulsory ones and say (after the prayer):*
> *(O Allah, I seek Your guidance through Your knowledge, and I seek power through Your power, and I ask of You from Your immense bounty. For You are powerful and I am not, and You know and I know not, and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter [state your specific request here] is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and the aftermath of my affairs, then decree it for me, make it easy for me, and bless me in it. And if You know that this matter [state your request here] is harmful to me in my religion, my livelihood, and the aftermath of my affairs, then turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and decree for me goodness wherever it may be, and make me pleased with it.")"*
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If a believer consistently performs this prayer with absolute sincerity, by the grace of Almighty Allah, they will always find perfect alignment, clarity, and the ultimate divine choice.
Meanwhile, Sulaiman formally informed his father that he had found the woman he wished to marry. His parents' hearts overflowed with joy; the continuous prayers they had sent up for him for years had finally answered. Plans were immediately set in motion to formally go and seek her hand in marriage.
Before long, the elders from both families stepped into the discussions. An agreement was smoothly reached, and the wedding date was officially set. It was decided that the marriage contract would be solemnized alongside her other relatives, and she would move into his home at a later date.
The wedding preparations began in full swing. The brides of the household were being carefully prepped, pampered, and beautified according to the honorable traditions of the Sunnah.
The phone calls between Sulaiman and Naja'atu grew even more frequent and intense. In fact, they occasionally got into playful arguments because Naja'atu still felt a bit shy and hesitant to completely let her guard down and fully immerse herself in their romance. Her twins, Hassan and Husna, had practically become permanent fixtures in the household of "Uncle the Artist." Absolutely everyone in his family knew of their existence, except for a few of his older siblings who lived far away or happened to visit when the children weren't around. Sulaiman had beautifully woven himself into the very fabric of the children's lives, filling a massive, empty void within their little hearts and