Umm Zakiyyah's Blog, page 19
July 2, 2015
Reality of Ramadan: You Might Not Benefit
I returned to my dormitory room after a full day of classes—and fasting. I was exhausted. Outside was dark, and my stomach grumbled. I had eaten only a little at iftaar because I had been so busy with schoolwork and meetings. As I settled at my desk with a bagel and some grapes, I glanced at […]
June 30, 2015
Muslim Girl (a novel)
NEW! CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW Faith turns to shame, confidence to doubt, and conviction to rebellion. Inaya was only nine years old when her mother converted to Islam and moved the family to Saudi Arabia. Excited about the move and their new faith, Inaya learned Arabic, memorized Qur’an, and inspired Muslim girls to wear […]
June 25, 2015
‘But I Don’t Trust God’
“But I don’t trust God,” the man said. He was a neighbor of ours and had just learned that his wife was terminally ill. Though the man was Christian, my husband had advised him to turn to God in prayer and to place his trust in Him… “You cannot even begin to understand the […]
June 18, 2015
Then Where Are You Going? Story 22 ‘His Other Wife’ SERIES FINALE
Click HERE for ALL STORIES in this series Aliyah dreamt that she was in sujood, her forehead resting on the soft grass of a lush green field as she prayed to Allah. She remained in prayerful prostration as the field expanded and stretched beneath her. “Fabi-ayyi aalaa’e rabbikumaa tukadh-dhibaan,” a voice recited in a strong, […]
June 11, 2015
Speak To Me: Story 21 in ‘His Other Wife’ series
Click HERE for ALL STORIES in this series Deanna dreamt that Jacob was in a lush green field walking toward her, a smile on his face. “Thank you, Deanna,” he was saying. “If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be the man I am today.” She was overcome with tears as she said, “I’m sorry, […]
June 4, 2015
Time To Heal: Story 20 in ‘His Other Wife’ series
Click HERE for ALL STORIES in this series “You’re suffering from PTSD,” Dr. Melanie Goldstein said to Reem early Tuesday morning, a week after Reem had called to make an appointment. Reem’s veil was flipped back revealing her face, and her gloves were folded neatly on top of her handbag that she’d set on the […]
May 30, 2015
Beyond Black Victim Status: Slaves Are Superior
“We were of the most disgraced of people, and Allāh granted us honor with this Islam. Now, whenever we seek honor in other than that which Allāh honored us with, Allāh shall disgrace us (once again).” —’Umar b. al-Khaṭṭāb “Black people in America can never be Muslim,” he said to me as I stood next […]
May 28, 2015
Wake Up Call: Story 19 in ‘His Other Wife’ series
Click HERE for ALL STORIES in this series “He’s terrible,” Mashael said, wrinkling her nose as she sat on the couch in Aliyah’s living room a comfortable distance from Aliyah Sunday afternoon. “I’m surprised he still works there.” “What did he do?” Aliyah said, eyebrows drawn together curiously. “You never heard about Dr. Stanley?” Mashael […]
May 21, 2015
Soul Talk: Story 18 in ‘His Other Wife’ series
Click HERE for ALL STORIES in this series “You’re talking about Jacob Bivens,” Salima said, “the math professor?” “Yes,” Aliyah said hesitantly, holding the cordless phone to her ear as she sat cross-legged on her bed Saturday evening. After listening to Jacob’s voicemail message earlier that day, Aliyah remained indecisive about calling him back. If […]
May 14, 2015
Muslim Marriage Monologues: Story 17 in ‘His Other Wife’ series
“I’m not sure what you think your test in life is,” Salima said as she stood in front of the crowd of sisters reciting the poem she’d written for the Muslim Marriage Monologues gathering that Friday night, “if you don’t have to follow any rules… I’m not sure what you think faith is If there’s […]
