Just writing

All Is Forgiven


How simple and relieving is this sentence!

But, of course, you wouldn’t grant it to others every now and then. Or would you?

Suppose, for example, you had a bully at school, or at your workplace, or even in your neighbourhood. After every disaster caused by this person, they put on a repentant mask, shed a few tears, apologised, and swore on the name of God to never repeat the awful deed, never cause any harm, never cheat or steal from you. Would you grant them your forgiveness?

Before you reply, please be honest and realistic, because unless you’re, God Forbid, another bully you’d have only three options:

In the first scenario, you might voice the words, but from the bottom of your heart, you’d pray that the ground would open and swallow them whole, delivering them straightaway to hell.

In the second scenario, you’d scream, “Never!” out loud, and be either a martyr of bravery or live with all its consequences.

As for the third, you’d play the diplomat and remind the forgiveness seeker, that genuine good deeds erase bad ones. That’s God’s law. The Most Merciful knows what lies deep in the heart, but of course there’d be no need to voice the final addition.

If you had the three options, which one would you choose?

And, finally, don’t forget that all can be forgiven but not forgotten.


With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

Cinderella’ Dream



Definitely, Cinderella didn’t dream of marrying the king or the prince. Perhaps, it was because she didn’t descend from the royal family. But, maybe, it was also because she wasn’t after money or fame. According to the story, all Cinderella wanted was a decent life full of kindness and love. But then, the package came with a handsome prince. Would any sensible girl refuse it? Of course, not.

On the other side, have you ever wondered that the prince had also his own dreams, his own wishs? He wasn’t after the pretty princess who lost a pair of her sparkly shoes as she ran away when the clock struck midnight. According to the story, he was also seeking kindness and love.

Isn’t this quote so true: “What you need you attract like a lover.” Better still,  God knows our hearts, what’s lying and hidden deeply there. He listens and makes plans in His perfect timing. That’s part and parcel of Faith, my faith.

Have you read The Rose Garden Husband by Margaret. I like its simplicity and normality. Good stories do not  always have to be complicated and thrilling, do they?

Here’s the link for my book review;

https://nh825.wordpress.com/2025/01/11/the-rose-garden-husband/

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

Safe place

Have you ever found yourself having to move to another place? A totally different place? Or, perhaps, to a bit farther from the familiar place, faces, and things you used to see and live with?

I did.

Whether you planned for that change or it was imposed on you, whether you are happy or mad about it, the result is the same: you have to move.

And you move becuase it was time to leave that certain place, those certain people, and the those certain things you have been doing. Perhaps it’s to make a new beginning, a new life, new friends, or new projects. But, perhaps it’s also to move you into a safer place. That doesn’t necessarily mean being saved from natural catastrophes. But there could be other types of catastrophes; social, personal, emotional or even moral.

In my heart, I believe it’s mainly God’s timing. It is a divine mercy. God is the One who knows best, and He is the One who will always put us in a safe place.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

Noah’s Ark

Someone was commenting on the current events around the world saying ” Is it really logical that people nowadays are from the offspring of the righteous people who had embarked on Noah’s Ark. But then, what kind of morals did those who had drowned in the flood have?’

That’s funny but it also makes a good point.

But, perhaps, we should think more about Noah than his people or his offspring. How did he cope with mockery, hatred, and betrayal? How didn’t he give up building his Ark? Never. How strong was his faith? And how he made a new start and lived a better, longer life?

Noah was patient, faithful, and resilient. He had never lost hope, never abandoned his faith. In the end, he was saved while most of his people drowned.

Could we just embark on Noah’s Ark and do our best to live a good,  healthy life on this earth?

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

daily prompt

One book

What book could you read over and over again?

When the book is intriguing, unexpected, and full of events, its reader can finish it in two nights maximum even though its pages might exceed four hundred pages. But, rereading it might be doubtful. The fun, the excitement, and curiosity would be all faded. So, why not try another of the same author instead? That’s what I do and I seldom reread a book even if it is one of my favourites.

However, there is only one book I will read over and over again, and that’s the Holy Quran. It’s part of our faith to never abandon our holy book. Once we finish it, we start reading it all over again with the same commitment, respect, and joy.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

A different aim

If you could have something named after you, what would it be?

Something named after me? The first thought was a mosque. But I soon changed my mind.

But why should mosques bear the people’s names? I asked myself. As a Muslim I believe that we should not boast our good deeds. Your left hand should never see what’s your right one is giving. Therefore, how can one justify writing their names on a mosque? It’s none of your property. Our money is mainly a means to construct the place of  worship. Besides, the Almighty knows your name, your intention, and your offering. So why name a mosque after me.

I searched my mind and urged each of its cell to find something. I thought and thought until the answer came to me.

It’s a title of a chapter in a book about the lives of Muslim women in a foreign country. Why just a chapter and not the entire book? Because it’s neither an autobiography nor a memoire which would  typically be named after a specific person. Besides, that wouldn’t be my aim. A chapter bearing my name would preserve both my experience and my existence within a colourful  picture and a broader narrative.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

daily prompt

On a deserted Island

What are three objects you couldn’t live without?

Three objects!

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

daily prompt

It’s Fate

Do you believe in fate/destiny?

If  I did not choose my birthland,  my birthday, birth name? How can  I not believe in Fate?

I am a Muslim, and to believe in Fate with its goods and bads, is part and parcel of my religion. But I also believe that we all have granted a free will. This issue can be understood simply if we only intend to.

So, for example, one day you’ve decided to take a different road while walking home after work. As you’re walking, you glanced a child on his bike chasing after his friend and oblivious of how he started to swerve off the pavement. The road was quiet, until, suddenly, the child slipped from his tiny bike seat and fell on the ground. He burst out crying and you ran to help him. But then, a car on full speed was turning into the same road,  and just in a split second, you grabbed the child off the road before being smashed by the car.

It was fate that had sent you to that road, but it was your choice to save the child. 

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

daily prompt

I do

Do you enjoy your job?

People are different. Some won’t rest until they phyiscally reach the moon with all the hardships, risks and costs of the journey. However, there are others who would enjoy doing other things for their goal is a different moon.

I’ve always enjoyed hearing from others about their jobs, their workload and how that’s affecting their life. I have tried a few things, and you know what?  I believe God puts us where we need to be.

I am a mother and that’s the job when I won’t be replaced, sacked, or forgotten.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

2+2

 

Image result for 2+2 video

 

I was just sitting, thinking about something to write when 2+2 just came to my mind.

2+2= 4, and this answer will never be different, but these days things seem more confusing.

A person might pop on on TV, social media, or anywhere and argue for hours, for example about Cain and Abel, and says that Cain was not evil and didn’t intend to murder his brother. He will explain the psychological, philosophical, or whatever, and the interviewer will keep nodding.  But, the story in the holy books will never change; Cain was evil, jealous, and arrogant. He planned the first murder in the history of humanity and killed his brother.  So, no matter what s/he talks, Truth can never change and 2+2 will always = 4

Wishing you all the best,

Nahla