Food coolers and flasks of hot water, Abubakar and Sagir walked in carrying nylon bags. He headed toward the small drawer beside the bed and arranged different types of juice and water. Then, he placed Shadad’s medicines inside a basket attached to the bed, which looked like it was specifically kept for holding medicine anyway.
Sagir went back out and returned with a large prayer mat, spreading it out in the corner facing the bed. Rahma picked up the basket and served them plates of rice with vegetables, along with fish pepper soup. She came over and picked up some water, saying she was going to put it in the fridge because it wasn’t cold. As for me, I just watched them with my eyes. Rahma looked at me and said, "Let me serve you some." I replied, “Just serve enough for yourself.”
Abubakar, who was sitting directly across from me, looked up, and our eyes locked. I quickly hardened my expression. Rahma knew that when I said something once, I meant it, which is why she didn't press me further. She served her portion, pulled up a chair close to me, and began to eat while I sat on the edge of the bed.
He took a sip of water and asked, "Why aren't you eating?" I frowned slightly, then just stared at him without saying a word. He looked toward the entrance, appearing deep in thought. After a moment, he looked back at me and said, “But it’s not because you’ve had breakfast, and it's not because you aren't hungry, right?”
"I haven’t had breakfast, and I never said I wasn't hungry," I replied.
Rahma intervened, saying, “Alhaji Abubakar, you should just leave her alone, because whatever she says is exactly what she means.”
Abubakar looked at Rahma and asked, “Do you mean she doesn’t eat breakfast?”
Rahma replied, "No, I mean that whatever she says, she stands by it and won't change her mind. That's why when she said she wouldn't eat, I didn't pressure her." He replied, “Oh, okay.”
The wonderful aroma filled the entire room, while Sagir and Abubakar conversed in low voices. Suddenly, my phone began to ring. I startled, wanting to get up to answer it and eager to find out who it was. When I checked, I saw it was our supermarket's number. My heart skipped a beat; I had completely forgotten about work. Our eyes shifted toward Abubakar, who kept his gaze fixed on me, clearly wanting to know who was calling. On my part, assuming it was the manager, I answered the call with a heavy heart.
It wasn't his voice. I asked, “Is this Ishaq or Musa?”
He replied that it was Ishaq, adding, "We haven't heard from you, and the manager mentioned that you didn't say you wouldn't be coming this afternoon. He has been saying since earlier that you should come see him in his office as soon as you arrive." He took a breath and continued, “He is really furious; he said he is getting tired of your attitude.”
I said, “Ishaq, for God's sake, please ask him to pardon me. My child is unwell, and I am completely devastated, which is why I forgot about work. Right now, we are at the hospital, and he has been admitted.”
He said, "Alright, call him directly and tell him so that he doesn't find out I was the one who called you." I said, “Okay, thank you.”
I held my forehead in distress. Rahma asked, “What happened?”
"Do you know that I completely forgot about the matter of work? That was Ishaq calling me." I began navigating through my phone, wanting to check my bank account, even though I knew I didn't have any money and that it was completely at zero. To make matters worse, I didn't even have airtime to call the manager unless I recharged.
Rahma said, "Here, take my phone and call him." I glared at her and said, "Are you crazy? Why would I call another man using your phone when you are married?" She argued, "So what? Isn't he my boss too?" I countered, “Absolutely not! How can you say that? Remember your husband went as far as changing your SIM card just so other men wouldn't keep calling you? And that was perfectly right of him, because it showed his protective jealousy (*gira*) for you.”
"Should I call the manager now, even though you currently have no connection to him?" She finally backed down, saying, “Alright, I hear you.”
Sagir, whom I didn't realize was listening to us, said, "Exactly, tell her the truth." I looked at them, but the intense gaze from Abubakar made me lower my head.
He said, "Here, take my phone and call." I shook my head, replying, "Never mind, thank you." He started pressing his phone keypad. Before I knew it, I heard him saying into the receiver, “Manager, this young lady, Hafsa, has an emergency, so she won't be able to make it to work until a later time that she cannot precisely determine right now. Therefore, she needs a leave of absence.”
I stared at him intently, thinking to myself, *Look at this man trying to ruin my job for me.* After a brief silence on the line, he said, "Alright, thank you." He looked at me and asked, "Why are you glaring at me? He agreed." I mumbled, "Thank you, but that wasn't the right way to ask him because he is my superior at work." He asked, "So I've committed an offense now?" I shook my head to signify 'no,' and then shifted my gaze to Shadad.
It wasn't until after we performed the Dhuhr (afternoon) prayer that he woke up, and I gave him some tea. Abubakar administered his medicine. I was highly impressed by how smoothly he gave it to him, because whenever I tried, the boy would cry and vomit. Abubakar, however, coaxed him gently, and he took it. But the boy turned around and said, "Uncle, you won't run away and leave me again, right?" He replied, “Yes, but only if you take your medicine.”
The boy took it eagerly. I often marveled at the profound affection Shadad had for Abubakar, because he wasn't the first person to try talking to him, yet the boy never approached anyone else except him.
When they stepped out, leaving just Rahma and me, I couldn't hold back my thoughts any longer. I asked, "Rahma, what exactly does this friend of your husband want with me?" She shot back, "Haven't you asked him?" I glared at her, “If he had given me an answer, would I be coming to ask you? I've asked him repeatedly and he never answers. Frankly, I don't appreciate this unwanted meddling, so you should tell him.”
She adjusted her posture and said, “Why don't you tell him yourself? Hafsa, calm down and observe things carefully. Abubakar only intends good for you. Even if he hasn't told me, I have a strong feeling he loves you.”
I looked at her with a furious expression, snapping, “Love me? For God's sake, stop this nonsense! If he ever makes the mistake of uttering the word 'love' to me, he will deeply regret doing so.”
She said, "Calm down, I want to ask you a question." Still glaring, I replied, "I'm listening." She asked, "Do you mean to say that Munir's offense extends to all other men? Answer me sincerely before God." I answered, "It is practically so." She pressed on, “But you possess Islamic knowledge; is it stated anywhere that one person's sin affects another?”
I replied, “It doesn't affect them directly, but for a long time, I have heard parents say that men are unreliable, that men are like a cloak of thorns, that they cannot be trusted, that they are a bad tree to lean on, along with all the other terrible names they are called. Initially, I didn't believe it, until a man went ahead and did it to me. Therefore, I have categorized all of them on the exact same line.”*
“But whoever gave this advice did a great thing, because you and Fadi are a perfect match, and I believe she possesses the kind of qualities you desire.”
Abubakar replied, “I fail to understand your reasoning for saying we are a match.”
Hashim asked, “What do you want me to do regarding Hafsatu? Have the two of you reached an understanding?”
Abubakar answered, “There are signs of success. It was Abba who made me return in a hurry because of some documents. Next week I will return, even if it is just for a single day. From there, if we align, I will take you to see her. But get ready, because we are going to see Lamido later.”
Hashim said, “If you are going to approach him regarding bringing an outsider girl into our lineage, then go alone; I am not coming with you.”
Abubakar countered, "I don't understand why you all fear Lamido so much. He is not a monster or anything to dread. I fear no one but Allah, whom I dread disobeying. I will go, and you will hear the outcome." As he walked out, Hashim called out, "So, when are we going to see Fadi?" Abubakar hissed and kept walking.
Lamido received him with a bright smile, saying, “My son, you certainly know how to choose! Because even if you had left the choice to me, it would have been difficult for me to secure such an excellent catch for you. Truly, you two are a perfect match.”
Abubakar lowered his head with a serious expression and said, “I am not the one who said I want Fadi.”
Lamido replied, “Whoever arranged the match did you a massive favor.”
Abubakar insisted, “The woman I chose is different. I do not love Fadi.”
Lamido chuckled, “Well, perhaps you have inherited the trait of your namesake, my father. History shows us that within this entire lineage, he was the only man who ever married two women at the exact same time. Tell me who your choice is, so that her arrangements can begin today as well, and both of them can have their bridal henna applied on the same day.”
Abubakar remained silent. Lamido urged, “Look, stand up and come closer. Tell me who it is that you love.”
Abubakar stepped closer, looked at Lamido, and said, “She is a young lady in Kano. Her name is Hafsatu, and she is not from our lineage...”
Suddenly, Lamido delivered a devastating backhanded slap across his face. He stood up in a violent rage, shouting fiercely, “Shame on you! You will not dilute our lineage! Ever since we grew up, our parents practiced intermarriage within the family, and we will not stop it, nor will generations after us. Just because you pride yourself on your Western education—your useless education! I thought that was why you were beating around the bush, tossing us around like bean cakes (*masa*). Fine, go ahead! I will deal directly with your parents. I only accord you respect because you bear my father's name, but I will cast that name aside and thoroughly humiliate you. You are not above a beating in my sight. GET OUT!!!”
Abubakar stood up and walked out.
Shortly afterward, Lamido placed phone calls to all his adult sons, informing them that he demanded their presence the following morning. Abubakar's father, Abba, felt a deep sense of dread upon receiving the call, guessing it was about Hamma (Abubakar), because Dada had already told him everything regarding Abubakar's statements.
Ummi entered the room where Abubakar was restlessly pacing back and forth. She said, "Hamma!" He looked at her, and she continued, “You have stirred up gossip within the family. Even at school, our relatives are talking about you, claiming you have changed and become disobedient. As for me, I think you should just accept Fadi.”
Abubakar grabbed Ummi's hands and held them firmly, saying, “From the very beginning, I have been praying to Allah to grant me the woman I truly love. My heart recognizes Fatima, but it completely fell for Hafsa the very first day I saw her. I know that you too will love her, Ummi.”
Ummi replied, “Hamma, I love whatever you love, but I simply dread family conflict. Consider the emotional distress Dada and the others will face, especially since you mentioned Lamido is summoning them.”
He said, "Just join me in prayer. Love leaves no room for fear. I personally told Lamido about Hafsa, and my intuition tells me I will succeed. I see Hafsa in my dreams every single night." Ummi prayed, “May Allah answer your prayers.”
The next morning, Lamido stood up and paced back and forth before his sons, who were seated on the carpet. All of them were prominent, highly influential men, distinguished by their immense wealth and status. He looked at Abubakar's father and ordered, "Ibrahim, take your phone and call your son Abubakar for me." Abba immediately complied, and Abubakar dropped everything and headed straight to Lamido’s house.
Abubakar's heart sank upon arrival when he saw his parents looking like people pleading for forgiveness. The room was deathly quiet except for the ticking of the clock. Demoralized, he sat down and lowered his head, yet deep in his heart, he knew he would not waver in his love for Hafsa.
"Abubakar!!!" Lamido bellowed his name in sheer anger. Abubakar raised his head to look at him. Lamido pointed at the gathered men and demanded, "Who are these men?" Abubakar looked at them and replied, “They are my parents.”
"Very good," Lamido said. “Now, I want you to tell them exactly what you told me yesterday.”
Abubakar looked at them again, his heart pounding wildly, especially when his eyes met those of Baffa Magaji. Lamido commanded, "Tell them, I said!" Abubakar found himself unable to speak.
Lamido roared, “OHO!!! So you look down on me? You had the audacity to come to me and say it to my face because I am not your biological father?”
Baffa Magaji added, “Speak up! Who here is your peer?”
Abubakar gathered his courage and said, “It is simply regarding the matter of the girl I love, who happens to be an outsider to our lineage.”
In unison, they all exclaimed in shock, "What did you say?" Except for his biological father, who lowered his head in deep humiliation and frustration.
Baffa Magaji snapped, “You are a devilish boy! Are you trying to introduce an alien tradition into our lineage?”
Lamido raised his hand to silence Baffa Magaji, then spoke: "Did I not gather you all recently and explicitly warn that none of your children should bring any strange customs into this family?" They all chanted in agreement. He continued, “At that time, I already suspected Abubakar would attempt such a thing, and now my suspicion has proven true. Therefore, Ibrahim, since you have failed to bend your son and couldn't give him proper upbringing, I want to hear from your mouth before you hear my final judgment.”
Abba took a deep breath and said, “Lamido, may Allah appease your anger. I have long struggled with Abubakar over this issue, but he completely refused to heed my commands. Therefore, I want all the relatives seated here to bear witness: from this day onward, I disown him as my son. I beg Lamido, for the sake of Allah, to expel him from our lineage entirely.”
Baffa Sa'adu intervened, saying, "I beg a favor from Lamido. Please grant Abubakar a chance to state his reasons before a final verdict is passed upon him." Lamido consented, saying, “He is before you all.”
Baffa Sa'adu, who held a traditional title and was Hashim’s father, looked at Abubakar and asked, “My son, tell us your reason for wanting to deviate from the path you found us on?”
Summoning his inner strength, Abubakar replied, “Baffa, out of all the girls within the family, I haven't found a single one who possesses the exact character and appearance that I desire.”
Abba interjected, “Do you hear him? If this isn't sheer disrespect, how can anyone claim that within our entire lineage—filled with beautiful, educated, and well-mannered women—he couldn't find a single wife? He had to go outside to scavenge for rubble?”
Baffa Magaji said, “Let us hear him out. Let him describe the kind of woman he wants so we can understand what he prides himself on.”
Abubakar turned to his uncles and said, "I do not desire a woman who is instantly recognized as a conventional beauty. I prefer a dark-skinned woman, whereas almost our entire lineage consists of fair-skinned, beautiful people. Regarding character, I prefer a woman who isn't overly modernized, who isn't driven by materialistic ambitions, but possesses both Western and Islamic education. A woman of excellent upbringing, intellect, and tranquility. Furthermore, she must be from a poor background, someone who will heed my words, respect my parents, and honor everyone connected to me. A woman who fears Allah wherever she is, who looks at those below her rather than envying those above her, and who isn't superficial.
Baffa, please do not think I look down on the upbringing of the girls in our family, or that such qualities cannot be found among them. No, they can be found. But the singular issue is that I want to marry a woman whom I love and who loves me back—not someone who loves me while I harbor no affection for her. The Prophet of Mercy (SAW) forbade forced marriage because of its severe consequences. Within our own lineage, there are far too many couples merely enduring their marriages out of patience and formal obedience, while lacking true devotion to their partners, sometimes even bordering on disobeying the Creator."
Baffa Magaji stepped forward aggressively and demanded, “So are you implying that our traditional family marriages amount to disobeying the Creator? Well, Mr. Eloquent Speaker, show us exactly where it is stated to be forbidden!”
Abubakar adjusted his posture and replied, “Marriage is an act of worship to the Almighty. Whenever a couple is brought together forcefully without mutual love and affection, they cannot perform this worship in the manner the Almighty commanded. Instead of gaining rewards, you find them accumulating sins. Let us take the household of Yaya Saleh as an example; there isn't a single person in this family who is blind to the daily turmoil they live in, not to mention other relatives whose struggles remain hidden.”
Baffa Magaji countered, "Indeed, Abubakar, Western education has made you entirely insolent. You are brazenly arguing with us all just because of your marriage." Abba added, “All these arguments of yours cannot serve as valid proof, since there is no scriptural book that prohibits marriage between relatives.”
Lamido spoke up, “Good heavens!!! To think that while I am still alive, someone from our lineage stands up to challenge me regarding our sacred traditions! I must take strict disciplinary action. If I do not, our family bond will disintegrate completely after I am gone.”
Abubakar pleaded, “Please forgive me. I will never be the cause of our family bonds breaking. Rather, I have brought a new light into this lineage. If you compare it with my vision, you will understand my intentions in the future. I simply ask that you allow me to marry an outsider.”
Baffa Sa'idu asked, “Abubakar, what is your reason for stating that you will not marry a beautiful woman, when that is the dream of every man?”
Abubakar looked at Abba and said, "I initially didn't want to bring this up, but now it has become necessary to speak. Two distinct reasons made me vow never to marry a woman solely for her physical beauty. First, regarding Yaya Mansur, if you haven't forgotten, when he was asked to seek Wasila's hand, he didn't object, stating that if nothing else, she was highly beautiful. But when they suffered an accident and her face became disfigured, to this day, everyone knows the terrible humiliation and mistreatment he subjects her to.
The second reason happened a very long time ago. (Abba, please forgive me for what I am about to say. I was just a little boy back then when you and Dada had a minor dispute. I overheard you telling her that only two things kept you living with her: first, out of obedience to Lamido, and second, because of the physical beauty she possessed. It is highly possible you have forgotten, so please pardon me; I never wished to utter this out loud.) If you can recall, at that time, though I was small, my heart was deeply shattered. When we went to school and I told Hashim about it, he revealed that just the previous day, he had overheard their mother telling their father that she was merely enduring the marriage out of patience, because he wasn't the man she act
Food coolers and flasks of hot water, Abubakar and Sagir walked in carrying nylon bags. He headed toward the small drawer beside the bed and arranged different types of juice and water. Then, he placed Shadad’s medicines inside a basket attached to the bed, which looked like it was specifically kept for holding medicine anyway.
Sagir went back out and returned with a large prayer mat, spreading it out in the corner facing the bed. Rahma picked up the basket and served them plates of rice with vegetables, along with fish pepper soup. She came over and picked up some water, saying she was going to put it in the fridge because it wasn’t cold. As for me, I just watched them with my eyes. Rahma looked at me and said, "Let me serve you some." I replied, “Just serve enough for yourself.”
Abubakar, who was sitting directly across from me, looked up, and our eyes locked. I quickly hardened my expression. Rahma knew that when I said something once, I meant it, which is why she didn't press me further. She served her portion, pulled up a chair close to me, and began to eat while I sat on the edge of the bed.
He took a sip of water and asked, "Why aren't you eating?" I frowned slightly, then just stared at him without saying a word. He looked toward the entrance, appearing deep in thought. After a moment, he looked back at me and said, “But it’s not because you’ve had breakfast, and it's not because you aren't hungry, right?”
"I haven’t had breakfast, and I never said I wasn't hungry," I replied.
Rahma intervened, saying, “Alhaji Abubakar, you should just leave her alone, because whatever she says is exactly what she means.”
Abubakar looked at Rahma and asked, “Do you mean she doesn’t eat breakfast?”
Rahma replied, "No, I mean that whatever she says, she stands by it and won't change her mind. That's why when she said she wouldn't eat, I didn't pressure her." He replied, “Oh, okay.”
The wonderful aroma filled the entire room, while Sagir and Abubakar conversed in low voices. Suddenly, my phone began to ring. I startled, wanting to get up to answer it and eager to find out who it was. When I checked, I saw it was our supermarket's number. My heart skipped a beat; I had completely forgotten about work. Our eyes shifted toward Abubakar, who kept his gaze fixed on me, clearly wanting to know who was calling. On my part, assuming it was the manager, I answered the call with a heavy heart.
It wasn't his voice. I asked, “Is this Ishaq or Musa?”
He replied that it was Ishaq, adding, "We haven't heard from you, and the manager mentioned that you didn't say you wouldn't be coming this afternoon. He has been saying since earlier that you should come see him in his office as soon as you arrive." He took a breath and continued, “He is really furious; he said he is getting tired of your attitude.”
I said, “Ishaq, for God's sake, please ask him to pardon me. My child is unwell, and I am completely devastated, which is why I forgot about work. Right now, we are at the hospital, and he has been admitted.”
He said, "Alright, call him directly and tell him so that he doesn't find out I was the one who called you." I said, “Okay, thank you.”
I held my forehead in distress. Rahma asked, “What happened?”
"Do you know that I completely forgot about the matter of work? That was Ishaq calling me." I began navigating through my phone, wanting to check my bank account, even though I knew I didn't have any money and that it was completely at zero. To make matters worse, I didn't even have airtime to call the manager unless I recharged.
Rahma said, "Here, take my phone and call him." I glared at her and said, "Are you crazy? Why would I call another man using your phone when you are married?" She argued, "So what? Isn't he my boss too?" I countered, “Absolutely not! How can you say that? Remember your husband went as far as changing your SIM card just so other men wouldn't keep calling you? And that was perfectly right of him, because it showed his protective jealousy (*gira*) for you.”
"Should I call the manager now, even though you currently have no connection to him?" She finally backed down, saying, “Alright, I hear you.”
Sagir, whom I didn't realize was listening to us, said, "Exactly, tell her the truth." I looked at them, but the intense gaze from Abubakar made me lower my head.
He said, "Here, take my phone and call." I shook my head, replying, "Never mind, thank you." He started pressing his phone keypad. Before I knew it, I heard him saying into the receiver, “Manager, this young lady, Hafsa, has an emergency, so she won't be able to make it to work until a later time that she cannot precisely determine right now. Therefore, she needs a leave of absence.”
I stared at him intently, thinking to myself, *Look at this man trying to ruin my job for me.* After a brief silence on the line, he said, "Alright, thank you." He looked at me and asked, "Why are you glaring at me? He agreed." I mumbled, "Thank you, but that wasn't the right way to ask him because he is my superior at work." He asked, "So I've committed an offense now?" I shook my head to signify 'no,' and then shifted my gaze to Shadad.
It wasn't until after we performed the Dhuhr (afternoon) prayer that he woke up, and I gave him some tea. Abubakar administered his medicine. I was highly impressed by how smoothly he gave it to him, because whenever I tried, the boy would cry and vomit. Abubakar, however, coaxed him gently, and he took it. But the boy turned around and said, "Uncle, you won't run away and leave me again, right?" He replied, “Yes, but only if you take your medicine.”
The boy took it eagerly. I often marveled at the profound affection Shadad had for Abubakar, because he wasn't the first person to try talking to him, yet the boy never approached anyone else except him.
When they stepped out, leaving just Rahma and me, I couldn't hold back my thoughts any longer. I asked, "Rahma, what exactly does this friend of your husband want with me?" She shot back, "Haven't you asked him?" I glared at her, “If he had given me an answer, would I be coming to ask you? I've asked him repeatedly and he never answers. Frankly, I don't appreciate this unwanted meddling, so you should tell him.”
She adjusted her posture and said, “Why don't you tell him yourself? Hafsa, calm down and observe things carefully. Abubakar only intends good for you. Even if he hasn't told me, I have a strong feeling he loves you.”
I looked at her with a furious expression, snapping, “Love me? For God's sake, stop this nonsense! If he ever makes the mistake of uttering the word 'love' to me, he will deeply regret doing so.”
She said, "Calm down, I want to ask you a question." Still glaring, I replied, "I'm listening." She asked, "Do you mean to say that Munir's offense extends to all other men? Answer me sincerely before God." I answered, "It is practically so." She pressed on, “But you possess Islamic knowledge; is it stated anywhere that one person's sin affects another?”
I replied, “It doesn't affect them directly, but for a long time, I have heard parents say that men are unreliable, that men are like a cloak of thorns, that they cannot be trusted, that they are a bad tree to lean on, along with all the other terrible names they are called. Initially, I didn't believe it, until a man went ahead and did it to me. Therefore, I have categorized all of them on the exact same line.”*
“But whoever gave this advice did a great thing, because you and Fadi are a perfect match, and I believe she possesses the kind of qualities you desire.”
Abubakar replied, “I fail to understand your reasoning for saying we are a match.”
Hashim asked, “What do you want me to do regarding Hafsatu? Have the two of you reached an understanding?”
Abubakar answered, “There are signs of success. It was Abba who made me return in a hurry because of some documents. Next week I will return, even if it is just for a single day. From there, if we align, I will take you to see her. But get ready, because we are going to see Lamido later.”
Hashim said, “If you are going to approach him regarding bringing an outsider girl into our lineage, then go alone; I am not coming with you.”
Abubakar countered, "I don't understand why you all fear Lamido so much. He is not a monster or anything to dread. I fear no one but Allah, whom I dread disobeying. I will go, and you will hear the outcome." As he walked out, Hashim called out, "So, when are we going to see Fadi?" Abubakar hissed and kept walking.
Lamido received him with a bright smile, saying, “My son, you certainly know how to choose! Because even if you had left the choice to me, it would have been difficult for me to secure such an excellent catch for you. Truly, you two are a perfect match.”
Abubakar lowered his head with a serious expression and said, “I am not the one who said I want Fadi.”
Lamido replied, “Whoever arranged the match did you a massive favor.”
Abubakar insisted, “The woman I chose is different. I do not love Fadi.”
Lamido chuckled, “Well, perhaps you have inherited the trait of your namesake, my father. History shows us that within this entire lineage, he was the only man who ever married two women at the exact same time. Tell me who your choice is, so that her arrangements can begin today as well, and both of them can have their bridal henna applied on the same day.”
Abubakar remained silent. Lamido urged, “Look, stand up and come closer. Tell me who it is that you love.”
Abubakar stepped closer, looked at Lamido, and said, “She is a young lady in Kano. Her name is Hafsatu, and she is not from our lineage...”
Suddenly, Lamido delivered a devastating backhanded slap across his face. He stood up in a violent rage, shouting fiercely, “Shame on you! You will not dilute our lineage! Ever since we grew up, our parents practiced intermarriage within the family, and we will not stop it, nor will generations after us. Just because you pride yourself on your Western education—your useless education! I thought that was why you were beating around the bush, tossing us around like bean cakes (*masa*). Fine, go ahead! I will deal directly with your parents. I only accord you respect because you bear my father's name, but I will cast that name aside and thoroughly humiliate you. You are not above a beating in my sight. GET OUT!!!”
Abubakar stood up and walked out.
Shortly afterward, Lamido placed phone calls to all his adult sons, informing them that he demanded their presence the following morning. Abubakar's father, Abba, felt a deep sense of dread upon receiving the call, guessing it was about Hamma (Abubakar), because Dada had already told him everything regarding Abubakar's statements.
Ummi entered the room where Abubakar was restlessly pacing back and forth. She said, "Hamma!" He looked at her, and she continued, “You have stirred up gossip within the family. Even at school, our relatives are talking about you, claiming you have changed and become disobedient. As for me, I think you should just accept Fadi.”
Abubakar grabbed Ummi's hands and held them firmly, saying, “From the very beginning, I have been praying to Allah to grant me the woman I truly love. My heart recognizes Fatima, but it completely fell for Hafsa the very first day I saw her. I know that you too will love her, Ummi.”
Ummi replied, “Hamma, I love whatever you love, but I simply dread family conflict. Consider the emotional distress Dada and the others will face, especially since you mentioned Lamido is summoning them.”
He said, "Just join me in prayer. Love leaves no room for fear. I personally told Lamido about Hafsa, and my intuition tells me I will succeed. I see Hafsa in my dreams every single night." Ummi prayed, “May Allah answer your prayers.”
The next morning, Lamido stood up and paced back and forth before his sons, who were seated on the carpet. All of them were prominent, highly influential men, distinguished by their immense wealth and status. He looked at Abubakar's father and ordered, "Ibrahim, take your phone and call your son Abubakar for me." Abba immediately complied, and Abubakar dropped everything and headed straight to Lamido’s house.
Abubakar's heart sank upon arrival when he saw his parents looking like people pleading for forgiveness. The room was deathly quiet except for the ticking of the clock. Demoralized, he sat down and lowered his head, yet deep in his heart, he knew he would not waver in his love for Hafsa.
"Abubakar!!!" Lamido bellowed his name in sheer anger. Abubakar raised his head to look at him. Lamido pointed at the gathered men and demanded, "Who are these men?" Abubakar looked at them and replied, “They are my parents.”
"Very good," Lamido said. “Now, I want you to tell them exactly what you told me yesterday.”
Abubakar looked at them again, his heart pounding wildly, especially when his eyes met those of Baffa Magaji. Lamido commanded, "Tell them, I said!" Abubakar found himself unable to speak.
Lamido roared, “OHO!!! So you look down on me? You had the audacity to come to me and say it to my face because I am not your biological father?”
Baffa Magaji added, “Speak up! Who here is your peer?”
Abubakar gathered his courage and said, “It is simply regarding the matter of the girl I love, who happens to be an outsider to our lineage.”
In unison, they all exclaimed in shock, "What did you say?" Except for his biological father, who lowered his head in deep humiliation and frustration.
Baffa Magaji snapped, “You are a devilish boy! Are you trying to introduce an alien tradition into our lineage?”
Lamido raised his hand to silence Baffa Magaji, then spoke: "Did I not gather you all recently and explicitly warn that none of your children should bring any strange customs into this family?" They all chanted in agreement. He continued, “At that time, I already suspected Abubakar would attempt such a thing, and now my suspicion has proven true. Therefore, Ibrahim, since you have failed to bend your son and couldn't give him proper upbringing, I want to hear from your mouth before you hear my final judgment.”
Abba took a deep breath and said, “Lamido, may Allah appease your anger. I have long struggled with Abubakar over this issue, but he completely refused to heed my commands. Therefore, I want all the relatives seated here to bear witness: from this day onward, I disown him as my son. I beg Lamido, for the sake of Allah, to expel him from our lineage entirely.”
Baffa Sa'adu intervened, saying, "I beg a favor from Lamido. Please grant Abubakar a chance to state his reasons before a final verdict is passed upon him." Lamido consented, saying, “He is before you all.”
Baffa Sa'adu, who held a traditional title and was Hashim’s father, looked at Abubakar and asked, “My son, tell us your reason for wanting to deviate from the path you found us on?”
Summoning his inner strength, Abubakar replied, “Baffa, out of all the girls within the family, I haven't found a single one who possesses the exact character and appearance that I desire.”
Abba interjected, “Do you hear him? If this isn't sheer disrespect, how can anyone claim that within our entire lineage—filled with beautiful, educated, and well-mannered women—he couldn't find a single wife? He had to go outside to scavenge for rubble?”
Baffa Magaji said, “Let us hear him out. Let him describe the kind of woman he wants so we can understand what he prides himself on.”
Abubakar turned to his uncles and said, "I do not desire a woman who is instantly recognized as a conventional beauty. I prefer a dark-skinned woman, whereas almost our entire lineage consists of fair-skinned, beautiful people. Regarding character, I prefer a woman who isn't overly modernized, who isn't driven by materialistic ambitions, but possesses both Western and Islamic education. A woman of excellent upbringing, intellect, and tranquility. Furthermore, she must be from a poor background, someone who will heed my words, respect my parents, and honor everyone connected to me. A woman who fears Allah wherever she is, who looks at those below her rather than envying those above her, and who isn't superficial.
Baffa, please do not think I look down on the upbringing of the girls in our family, or that such qualities cannot be found among them. No, they can be found. But the singular issue is that I want to marry a woman whom I love and who loves me back—not someone who loves me while I harbor no affection for her. The Prophet of Mercy (SAW) forbade forced marriage because of its severe consequences. Within our own lineage, there are far too many couples merely enduring their marriages out of patience and formal obedience, while lacking true devotion to their partners, sometimes even bordering on disobeying the Creator."
Baffa Magaji stepped forward aggressively and demanded, “So are you implying that our traditional family marriages amount to disobeying the Creator? Well, Mr. Eloquent Speaker, show us exactly where it is stated to be forbidden!”
Abubakar adjusted his posture and replied, “Marriage is an act of worship to the Almighty. Whenever a couple is brought together forcefully without mutual love and affection, they cannot perform this worship in the manner the Almighty commanded. Instead of gaining rewards, you find them accumulating sins. Let us take the household of Yaya Saleh as an example; there isn't a single person in this family who is blind to the daily turmoil they live in, not to mention other relatives whose struggles remain hidden.”
Baffa Magaji countered, "Indeed, Abubakar, Western education has made you entirely insolent. You are brazenly arguing with us all just because of your marriage." Abba added, “All these arguments of yours cannot serve as valid proof, since there is no scriptural book that prohibits marriage between relatives.”
Lamido spoke up, “Good heavens!!! To think that while I am still alive, someone from our lineage stands up to challenge me regarding our sacred traditions! I must take strict disciplinary action. If I do not, our family bond will disintegrate completely after I am gone.”
Abubakar pleaded, “Please forgive me. I will never be the cause of our family bonds breaking. Rather, I have brought a new light into this lineage. If you compare it with my vision, you will understand my intentions in the future. I simply ask that you allow me to marry an outsider.”
Baffa Sa'idu asked, “Abubakar, what is your reason for stating that you will not marry a beautiful woman, when that is the dream of every man?”
Abubakar looked at Abba and said, "I initially didn't want to bring this up, but now it has become necessary to speak. Two distinct reasons made me vow never to marry a woman solely for her physical beauty. First, regarding Yaya Mansur, if you haven't forgotten, when he was asked to seek Wasila's hand, he didn't object, stating that if nothing else, she was highly beautiful. But when they suffered an accident and her face became disfigured, to this day, everyone knows the terrible humiliation and mistreatment he subjects her to.
The second reason happened a very long time ago. (Abba, please forgive me for what I am about to say. I was just a little boy back then when you and Dada had a minor dispute. I overheard you telling her that only two things kept you living with her: first, out of obedience to Lamido, and second, because of the physical beauty she possessed. It is highly possible you have forgotten, so please pardon me; I never wished to utter this out loud.) If you can recall, at that time, though I was small, my heart was deeply shattered. When we went to school and I told Hashim about it, he revealed that just the previous day, he had overheard their mother telling their father that she was merely enduring the marriage out of patience, because he wasn't the man she act