This is a true story concerning two people; Suhayla and Farooq.  The couple were very much deeply in love with one another, happily married.  It is said to have taken place during the caliphate of Umar ibn Abdul Aziz.

Suhayla and Farooq had been married for three months when the call for Jihad was made. Farooq was a healthy, young man which meant that he was fit enough to fight in the way of the Almighty. Before he left, Farooq left Suhayla with 3000 dirhams and said to her to make do with this amount for 3 months, he’d be back before she’d need any more money. He also left a chest containing 30 000 dinars, which was equivalent to two millions pounds, and asked her not to touch this money until he returned.

Three months went by but Farooq didn’t return.  Nine months passed and Suhayla gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. During this period of time she continued to stretch the money he had given her. Many months went by with no sign of Farooq. Two and a half years after Farooq’s departure, a man returned from battle.  He told Suhayla how he had witnessed Farooq fall on the battlefield.

Suhayla was devastated. She had received the confirmation she had been expecting for a long time. After much thought she opened the chest containing the fortune and began taking care of her son using it.

Thirty years went by, in Madinah, Suhayla had ensured her son had received the best education money could by. She kept the memory of her beloved at the forefront of her mind. Her loving husband had died the death of a martyr. She couldn’t adequately express how her love and admiration for him had grown over the years. She looked back at the moment when he was heading out toward the battlefield, he had thought twice about it, being the noble woman she was, she had pushed him to strive for what he believed in. She had said to him “seek Jannah and I shall see you there insha’Allah.”

Meanwhile, many, many miles away on the outskirts of China a warrior sat near a camp fire protecting his comrades as they slept. As he absorbed his surroundings and reflected on his life he gazed up at the starry sky. He contemplated his love for his Lord when suddenly a thought was ignited in his mind. He had been married, decades ago. He wondered what his beautiful wife must have done with her life when he hadn’t returned after three months as promised. Did she re-marry?  Did she die? His mind was rapidly consumed by a thousand questions. He became overwhelmed with melancholy thoughts, new ideas, nostalgia.

He was older now. Wiser. He had spent thirty years fighting in the path of the Almighty. He was ready to go home. The next morning his chief granted him permission to terminate his service.

The man headed for Madinah on horseback, the wind rushing through his hair, his purpose becoming more urgent with each step his noble steed took. His journey took him through Persia, he rode through Iraq, all the while frightened of what he might discover on his return home. The closer he got to Madinah, his heart raced faster. His mind engulfed with incoherent musings.

When he reached Madinah he wanted nothing more than to run to the place where he and his wife had set up home. However, he remembered the sunnah of Muhammad, may he be showered with peace and blessings, and attended the masjid of the Prophet where he offered a two-rakah prayer. After this, he realised it was time for Asr salah. He decided to wait until Asr salah was prayed in congregation before heading home.

As he waited, he observed the numerous scholars in the masjid. They were  surrounded by people, eager to learn from their stories and words of wisdom. Though each of the scholars radiated beauty and elegance, one stood out in particular, Sheikh Abdur-rahman. The man was in complete awe of this sheikh. He had never seen anybody speak as eloquently as him.

After Asr salah, panic and excitement set in again. He rushed towards the home he once knew so well. When he reached his destination though, he saw another man going inside. Suddenly, a feeling of immense dejection consumed him, quickly followed by anger. He strode towards the man and took hold of him all the while shouting “This is my house!  How dare you go inside?”. This resulted in malevolent disagreement between the two men. Before he realised, masses of people were gathered around them telling him to leave the man alone as it was his house. He couldn’t take it any longer. He shouted “This is my house.  I am Farooq!”

Inside, the proprietor of the home, a mature lady overheard the feuding outside. Her heart skipped a beat. She wondered “Could it be? No it can’t be, it just can’t.” She put on her hijab and sprinted outside shouting “This is my husband Farooq! Leave him alone!  He’s been away on jihad for thirty years, only now has he returned.”

On hearing this people began to weep. The joy was overwhelming. Farooq and Suhayla embraced. Memories from decades ago came flooding back. They ran inside and spent hours exchanging stories, making up for lost time. They laughed and joked and cried, not fully fathoming what was happening.

“Farooq, I’m so much older than when you left me. I was young and beautiful then, I don’t look like that anymore.” To which Farooq replied “To me, you’re the most beautiful woman in the world.” He had always been in love with her piety over anything else and nothing had changed decades later.

Eventually, Farooq asked Suhayla what had happened to the chest he had trusted her with. Suhayla replied, “Did you go to the masjid?” He said he did. “Did you see anything interesting?”. He told her about the amazing scholars he saw and how they were spreading their knowledge in the most wonderful way. “Did you notice anyone in particular?”. He told her how one man had caught his eye above the others. He spoke so eloquently and wisely. “What would you give to be that man?”. Farooq told her that he would give anything to be as knowledgeable as that man. “Would you give 30 000 dinars for it?”. He said without a shadow of a doubt he would pay that sum of money in order to be that educated. To which Suhayla said, “What if that was your son?”. “I would pay even more”, Farooq’s reply. “He is your son, Farooq.” The most knowledgeable Sheikh in Madinah was Farooq’s son. Farooq was astonished, he ran outside telling the entire city that Sheikh Abdur-rahman was his son.

While Farooq had been away, Suhayla had spent his fortune on providing their son with the best education available. On seeing each other for a second time, Farooq realised the man he had been feuding with earlier had been his son, the righteous scholar.

Their neighbours celebrated with them, it became a memorable day for those in Madinah. One of those who wept tears of joy in the crowd was the man we famously know as Imam Malik, the student of Sheikh Aburrahman, the son of Suhayla and Farooq.

Subhan’Allah.

Reference: https://onelittlepixie.wordpress.com/2011/07/21/a-story-of-love/

Qays ibn al-Mulawwah was just a boy when he fell deeply in love with Layla Al-Aamiriya.  He was sure of this love on the very first day he laid his eyes upon her at maktab (traditional school).  He soon began to write beautiful love poems about Layla and he would read them out loud on street corners to anybody who would care to listen. Such passionate displays of love and devotion caused many to refer to the boy as Majnun, meaning madman.

One day, Majnun found the courage to ask Layla’s father for his daughter’s hand in marriage, but her father refused the request.  Such a marriage, the father reasoned, would only cause a scandal. It would not be proper for his daughter to marry a person whom everybody called a madman. Instead, Layla was promised to another – an older man from a neighbouring village.

Majnun was overcome with grief and abandoned his home and family and disappeared into the wilderness where he lived a miserable life of solitude among the wild animals. It was in this wilderness that Majnun spent his days composing poems to his beloved.

Layla was forced to marry this other man, although she did not love him because her heart still belonged to Majnun. But even though Layla did not love her husband, she was a loyal daughter and so remained a faithful wife. The news of this marriage was devastating to Majnun who continued to live a life of solitude, refusing to return home to his mother and father in the city.

Majnun’s mother and father missed their son terribly and longed everyday for his safe return. They would leave food for him at the bottom of the garden in the hopes that one day he would come back to them out of the desert. But Majnun remained in the wilderness, writing his poetry in solitude, never speaking to a single soul.

Majnun spent all of his time alone, surrounded only by the animals of the wilderness that would gather around him and protect him during the long desert nights. He was often seen by travellers who would pass him on their way towards the city. The travellers said that Majnun spent his days reciting poetry to himself and writing in the sand with a long stick; they said that he truly was driven to madness by a broken heart.

Many years later, Majnun’s father and mother both passed away. Knowing of his devotion to his parents, Layla was determined to send Majnun word of their passing. Eventually she found an old man who claimed to have seen Majnun in the desert. After much begging and pleading the old man agreed to pass on a message to Majnun the next time he set off on his travels.

One day, the old man did indeed cross paths with Majnun in the desert; there he solemnly delivered the news concerning the death of Majnun’s parents and was forced to witness what a terrible blow this was to the young poet. Overcome with regret and loss, Majnun retreated inside of himself entirely and vowed to live in the desert until his own death.

Some years later, Layla’s husband died.  The young woman hoped that finally she would be with her one true love; that finally she and Majnun would be together forever.  But sadly this was not to be.  Tradition demanded that Layla remain in her home alone to grieve for her dead husband for two whole years without seeing another soul. The thought of not being with Majnun for two more years was more than Layla could bear. They had been separated for a lifetime and two more years of solitude, two more years without seeing her beloved, was enough to cause the young woman to give up on life. Layla died of a broken heart, alone in her home without ever seeing Majnun again.

News of Layla’s death reached Majnun in the wilderness. He immediately travelled to the place where Layla had been buried and there he wept and wept until he too surrendered to the impossible grief and died at the graveside of his one true love.

‘I pass by these walls, the walls of Layla

And kiss this wall and that wall.

It’s not love of the houses that has taken my heart

but of the One who dwells in those houses.’Qays ibn al-Mulawwah

Reference: http://worldstories.org.uk/stories/the-story-of-layla-and-majnun/

Ibn al-Qayyim (Rahimahullah) narrated:

It is reported that in Egypt, there was a man who would maintain the mosques, making the call to prayer, etc. He was, by all outward means, an obedient person and devout worshipper.

One day, as he usually would, he ascended the minaret to make the call to prayer. At the base of the minaret, there was a Christian woman standing. He saw her, and was seduced by her looks. So, he descended the minaret, went to her, and entered her home. She said to him: “Who are you, and what do you want?”

He replied: “I want you.”

She said: “Why?”

He said: “You have enslaved my eyes, and you have captured my heart.”

She said: “I will never answer your desire in a doubtful or suspicious manner.”

He said: “Ok, so, I will marry you, then.”

She said: “You are a Muslim, and I am a Christian. My father will never allow me to marry you.”

He said: “So, I will become a Christian.”

She said: “If you wish to do so, go ahead.“

So, the man became a Christian in order to marry this woman, and lived with the woman’s family in her house. Later on that day, however, he was on the roof of the house. He fell from the roof and died without even having enjoyed his new bride. So, he lost the woman, and he lost his religion.”

Ad-Da’ wad-Dawa, page.127 of Ibn Al-Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah (Rahimahullaah)

Reference: https://abdurrahman.org/2012/02/29/he-lost-the-woman-and-he-lost-his-religion/

The Prophet was a loving husband. Aisha talked about the times when she enjoyed meals with him. He enjoyed his meals only when she sat next to him. They drank from one cup and he watched where she placed her lips so that he could place his lips on the same area. He ate from a bone after she ate and placed his mouth where she had eaten. She also said that he placed morsels of food into her mouth and she would do the same.

‘Aisha and the Prophet would use code language with each other denoting their love. She asked the Prophet how he would describe his love for her. The Prophet Muhammad answered, saying: “Like a strong binding knot.” The more you tug, the stronger it gets, in other words.

Every so often ‘Aisha would playfully ask, “How is the knot?” The Prophet would answer, “As strong as the first day (you asked).”

When she was asked: “What did the Prophet use to do in his house?” She replied, “He used to keep himself busy serving his family.” When one of his companions asked him “who is the most beloved to your heart?” he answered instantly “Aisha”.

Before his death, Prophet Muhammad’s very last words to his companions were: “Treat women with kindness, treat women with kindness! Have fear of God in relation to them and make sure you want well for them”.

These were his last public words concerning women which responded to the meaning of the following revealed verse regarding the life of a couple:

“And of His signs is that he created for you, of yourselves, spouses, that you might repose in them, and He has set between you love and mercy. Surely in that are signs for people who consider” .

The Holy Quran, 30:21

This is the love story between Zainab bint Muhammad and Abu El'Ass ibn Rabee'; Zainab was the daughter of the Prophet (PBUH) and her cousin Abu El'Ass, was Khadeeja's (RA) nephew. He was one of the nobles of the Quraish, and the Prophet (SAW) loved him very much.

One day Abu El'Ass went to the Prophet (SAW) before he had received his mission of Prophethood and said: "I want to marry your eldest daughter". So the Prophet replied: "I must ask her first". He (SAW) went to Zainab and asked her: "Your cousin came to me and he wishes to marry you, do you accept him as your husband?" Her face turned red with bashfulness and she smiled.

So Zainab married Abu El'Ass, the beginning of a great love story. They had two children; Ali and Omama.

Then Muhammad became a Prophet while Abu El'Ass was away from Makkah. Abu El'Ass returned to find his wife a Muslim. When he first came back, his wife said "I have great news for you". He stood up and left her. Zainab was surprised and followed him as she said, "My father became a Prophet and I have become a Muslim". He replied, "Why didn't you tell me first?" Hence a big problem began between the two; a problem of religion and belief.

She told him, "I wasn't going to disbelieve in my father and his message, he is not a liar, and he is "The Honest and Trustworthy". I'm not the only believer; my mother and my sisters became Muslims, my cousin Ali ibn Abi Taleb became a Muslim, your cousin Othman ibn Affan became a Muslim, and your friend, Abu Bakr, became a Muslim".

He replied, "Well, as for me, I don't want people to say, 'he let down his people and his forefathers to please his wife'. And I am not accusing your father of anything". Then he said, "So will you excuse me and understand?" She replied, "Who will excuse and understand you if I don't? I will stay beside you and help you until you reach the truth." And she kept her word for 20 years.

Abu El'Ass remained an unbeliever, and then came the migration. Zainab went to her father and asked him for the permission to stay with her husband. The Prophet (SAW) replied, "Stay with your husband and children".

So Zainab stayed in Makkah, until the battle of Badr occurred. Abu El'Ass was to fight in the army of Quraish against the Muslims. For Zainab, it meant that her husband will be fighting her father, a time Zainab had always feared. She kept crying out: "O Allah, I fear one day the sun may rise and my children become orphans or I lose my father".

So the battle started, and ended in victory for the Muslims. Abu El'Ass was captured by the Muslims, and news of this reached Makkah. Zainab asked, "What did my father do?" They told her, "The Muslims won". So she prayed to Allah, thanking Him. Then she asked: "What did my husband do?" They said: "He was captured". She said, "I'll send a payment to release him". She didn't own anything of much value, so she took off her mother's necklace, and sent it with Abu El'Ass's brother to the Prophet.

While the Prophet (SAW) was sitting, taking payments and releasing captives, he saw Khadeeja's necklace. He held it up and asked: "Whose payment is this?" They said: "Abu El'Ass ibn Rabee". He cried and said "This is Khadeeja's necklace". As soon as the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saw that necklace, he had a feeling of extreme compassion and his heart palpitated for the great memory. The Companions who were present there gazed in amazement having being captivated by the magnificence of the situation.

After a long silence, the Messenger of Allah (SAW) stood up and said "People, this man is my in-law, should I release him? And do you accept the return of this necklace to my daughter?" They answered in unison "Yes, Messenger of Allah".

The Prophet (SAW) gave the necklace to Abu El'Ass and said to him: "Tell Zainab not to give away Khadeeja's necklace". Then he (SAW) said, "Abu El'Ass, Can we speak privately?" He took him aside and said, "Allah has ordered me to separate between a Muslim and a disbeliever, so could you return my daughter to me?" Abu El'Ass reluctantly agreed.

Zainab stood on the gates of Makkah waiting for the arrival of Abu El'Ass. When he finally came he said, "I am going away". She asked, "Where to?" He replied, "It is not me who is going, it is you. You are going to your father. We must separate because you are a Muslim". She implored him, "Will you become a Muslim and come with me?" But he refused.

So Zainab took her son and daughter and traveled to Madinah, and for 6 years she refused to remarry, hoping that one day Abu El'Ass would come.

After 6 years, Abu El'Ass was traveling in a caravan from Makkah to Syria. During the journey, he was intercepted by some of the Prophet's companions. He escaped and asked for Zainab's home. He knocked on her door shortly before the dawn prayer. She opened the door and asked him "Did you become a Muslim?" He whispered "No, I come as a fugitive". She implored him once more "Can you become a Muslim?" Again his answer was a negative. "Do not worry." She said, "Welcome my cousin, welcome, the father of Ali and Omama".

After the Prophet (SAW) prayed the dawn prayer in congregation with the people, they heard a voice from the back of the mosque, "I have freed Abu El'Ass ibn Rabee". Zainab had granted Abu El'Ass' freedom. The Prophet (SAW)asked, "Have you heard what I heard?" They all said, "Yes, Messenger of Allah". Zainab said, "He is my cousin and the father of my children and I have freed him". The Prophet (SAW) stood up and said, "O people, I declare that this man was a very good son-in-law, he never broke his promise, and neither did he tell lies. So if you accept, I will return his money back and let him go. If you refuse it's your decision and I will not blame you for it." The companions agreed, "We will give him his money". So the Prophet (SAW) said to Zainab, "We have freed the one you have freed, O Zainab." Then he (SAW) went to her and told her "be generous to him, he is your cousin and the father of your children, but don't let him get near you, he is prohibited for you." She replied, "Sure, father, I'll do as you say".

She went in and told her husband, "O Abu El'Ass, didn't you miss us at all? Won't you become a Muslim and stay with us?" But he refused. Abu El'Ass then took the money and returned to Makkah. Once he returned he stood up and announced, "O people, here is your money. Is there anything left?" They replied, "No, Abu El'Ass, there is nothing left, thanks a lot." So Abu El'Ass said, "I testify that there is no god but Allah, and Muhammed is His Messenger." Then he went back to Madinah and ran to the Prophet (SAW) as he said, "Dear Prophet, you freed me yesterday, and today I say that I testify there is no god but Allah and you are His Messenger." He asked the Prophet, "Will you give me the permission to go back to Zainab?" The Prophet (SAW) smiled and said, "Come with me"; he took him to Zainab's house and knocked on her door. The Prophet (SAW) said, "O Zainab, your cousin came to me and asked if he can return to you". Just like 20 years before, her face turned red with bashfulness and she smiled.

The sad thing was, a year after this incident, Zainab died. Abu El'Ass shed hot tears because of her death and drove those who were around him to tears. The Messenger of Allah (SAW) came with eyes full of tears and a heart full of sorrow. Zainab's death reminded him of the death of his wife, Khadeejah. He told the women, who gathered around Zainab's corpse, "Wash her three times and use camphor in the third wash." He performed funeral prayers on her and followed her final resting place. Abu El'Ass returned to his children, Ali and Omama. Kissing them and wetting them with his tears, he remembered the face of his departed darling.

May Allah be pleased with Zainab, the Prophet's daughter! May He reward her with Paradise for her patience, endurance and struggle!

Abu El'Ass would cry so profusely that the people saw the Prophet himself weeping and calming him down. Abu El'Ass would say, "By Allah, I can't stand life anymore without Zainab". He died one year after Zainab's death.

Reference:
http://www.islamicbulletin.org/newsletters/issue_24/love.aspx

Attraction to the opposite gender is not a sin; it’s like hunger in Ramadan, and it’s completely natural. Islam does not forbid love nor look down on desires asking us to curb them. In fact our Deen propagates them and teaches us how to discipline those desires. It is culture that has made talking about and seeking advice on intimate matters look awkward.

Who hasn’t read the story of Prophet Mûsa (as)? The tortures of Pharaoh towards the people of Bani Israel, the parting of the red sea, the drowning of Pharaoh. But let’s track back a bit, there are some other lessons also we can get from the story of Prophet Mûsa, for indeed Allah doesn’t mention a story in the Quran except that it has a message to be understood and followed by the people to come. We see Allah mentions in quite some detail how Mûsa met his wife, the interactions between them and how they ended up being married. Now if we pause here, we see that with just this story Allah is teaching us so many beautiful lessons. From interactions with the opposite gender to marriage to having belief in Allah, it just goes on.

We say Islam is boring, the Quran just has stuff telling what is wrong and what is right. This is one of the biggest understatements a person could make. The Quran is a life manual which if read and understood properly can change life completely. We read about romantic gateways, Prince Charming on the white horse, the picture of a perfect woman and what not. Media today has made us into droids just living in a fantasy land and hoping for things that are next to impossible. If only we look at the Quran and Sunnah we will find stories that portray the most beautiful of love stories. We don’t need romance novels telling us what to expect in love when Allah himself has told us.

Prophet Mûsa grew up in the comforts that only the royal house of Pharaoh could provide. People could see that he was a handsome, healthy and strong young man. His arms were strong, face radiant, forehead broad and eyes bright. His youthfulness was indeed worth observing. He was recognized as the son of King Pharaoh and Queen Asiya. He possessed every comfort and had full freedom. On the other hand his wisdom and intelligence had also become the talk of the town. 

We learn about the quarrel he had and how he had to end up fleeing from home. Prophet Mûsa traveled for many weeks, and at last he arrived at a place called Madyan. His clothes were sandy and he needed a bath, and he was short of food. The place was strange and foreign to his eyes. He noticed a watering place and rested near it feeling like a fugitive, strange, and dejected. While he was resting he could see two women waiting at a distance. Their sheep were nearby but not at the watering place, it looked as if they needed help.

He saw how the men were bullying them, not letting them in, to water their sheep, and the women just standing there. Though tired and weary Prophet Mûsa decided to see if he could help the women. He was not a man who just stood and watched things happen. Being a righteous man, kind at heart, and always wanting to help, Prophet Mûsa approached the women and asked if they needed help. The two women were bashful and didn’t want to impose, but they accepted the offer, explaining that they were tending their sheep until others finished watering theirs. Mûsa helped them with their task [Sûrat Al-Qaṣaṣ, 28: 22-28].

Mûsa felt happy, and the women were thankful. They took the sheep home and Musa went back to his resting spot under a tree. He was a lonely stranger, had no job, was far from home, and he had never worked before. He was accustomed to opulent living and affluence in the palace of Pharaoh. He just turned to the One who has power over all affairs and beseeched for His help; he made a sincere duʿâ’ saying:

"Lord ! Truly I am in need of whatever good that You bestow on me." (Sûrat Al-Qaṣaṣ, 28:24)

When Musa made that duʿâ’ the women heard him. What a beautiful duʿâ’ to make for all of us who are looking for a good partner or for bliss in our married lives. This one duʿâ’ to Allah gave Mûsa a job, a house, and a family, all at once. When you have nothing left except Allah, then you find that He is always enough for you. It’s like a cheat code in real life, except that it’s not cheating.

Meanwhile, when the two women came back so quickly with the sheep watered, their father was surprised because he knew the men near the well, that his girls would have generally taken more time. When he asked them what had happened, they told him what Mûsa had done. So he sent one of the daughters to call the stranger to meet her father.

The âyah goes on: She said: “Verily, my father calls you that he may reward you for having watered (our flocks) for us.” This is an example of good manners: she did not invite him directly lest he have some suspicious thoughts about her. Rather she said: My father is inviting you so that he may reward you for watering our sheep.

No dates, no coffee, no friendship requests, nothing yet. Mûsa accepted the invitation, and when he got up he asked her to walk behind him and guide him to her house by throwing pebbles at the required directions instead of her walking in front, with him at the back. This was an example of Mûsa’s exemplary modesty.

Mûsa asks the woman to walk behind him, knowing very well that he doesn’t know the way but that she does. It wasn’t a matter of ego or superiority, he was rather concerned about her honor as she was alone, without her sister; this was his way of protecting her.

So when he came to him and narrated the story, the father learned why Mûsa had had to leave his country. The woman’s father said to Mûsa: “Fear you not. You have escaped from the people who are wrongdoers.” The father soothes Mûsa and asks him to feel at ease in his territory, for he had left the kingdom of Pharaoh who has no authority in this land.

And said one of them: “Father! Hire him! Verily, the best of men for you to hire is the strong, the trustworthy.” One of the two daughters of the man said this, and it was said that she was the one who had walked behind Musa. ʿUmar, Ibn ʿAbbâs, Qatâdah, Muḥammad ibn Isḥâq and others said: “When she said: ‘Verily, the best of men for you to hire is the strong, the trustworthy,’ her father said to her: `What do you know about that?’ She said in answer: `He lifted a rock which could only be lifted by ten men, and when I came back with him, I walked ahead of him, but he said to me, walk behind me, and if I get confused about the route, throw a pebble so that I will know which way to go.”’ ʿAbdullah Ibn Masʿûd said: “The people who had the most discernment were three: Abû Bakr’s intuition about ʿUmar [ibn Al-Khaṭṭâb]; prophet Yûsuf’s master when he said [to his wife]: `Make his stay comfortable;’ and the daughter of prophet Mûsa’s host when she said: ‘Oh my father! Hire him! Verily, the best of men for you to hire is the strong, the trustworthy.’

I intend to wed one of these two daughters of mine to you. The father made Mûsa an offer: take care of my flocks for eight years and I will give you one of my two daughters in marriage. Then the man added: But if you complete ten years, it will be (a favor) from you. Once the term was completed Mûsa was granted prophethood with a command to return to Egypt to invite Pharaoh to Islam and ask him to let the Children of Israel go.

Indeed, a variety of lessons are learnt from the notable story of prophet Mûsa and his wife’s father. One lesson that looms large among these lessons is that the father gave his daughter in marriage to Mûsa only after making sure that he was religiously righteous; and this is the basis upon which a marriage in Islam should be founded, not a BMW and a 4 or 5 figure monthly job salary! This is the basis which conforms to what the last of all prophets, Muhammad ﷺ came with:

"If a man of good religious character and conduct proposes to one’s daughter, then let one marry his daughter to him. If one does not, there will be mischief and great corruption on Earth."

Unfortunately today, if a young man comes to ask for a woman’s hand in marriage, we see many fathers showing absolutely no concern towards anything other than the proposer’s financial status: does he have enough income to make her happy!. We forget that there is someone called Al-Razzâq. Ask firstly about the level of obedience this young man has towards His Creator and only then will such a man keep the daughter happy.

Their meeting is a beautiful example of chivalry; a perfect model of what it means to be a man and what it means to be a woman. There was no long engagement and no endless conversations, no promises of unending love, no dancing around trees in the rain, no Bollywood sequences which we have come to expect. Theirs was a love story that was directed by none other than Allah. Their story gives us an insight on how relations should be. People say love hurts. I say: if it is a true love written by Allah, it would never hurt, as love is a blessing from Allah that he bestows upon the couple. But if love tends to hurt, then know that it is from Shayṭân and that this love story is going to have a bad outcome for both parties involved, as it is something not prescribed by Allah.

Even if you do really like him/her, take the necessary steps. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said that, "There is nothing better for two who love each other than to be married."

Reference:
https://aljumuah.com/the-love-story-of-musa/

When we talk about love, we must recognise that love is endless, and the love story of the Prophet Muhammad (saw) with Siti Khadijah, Radhiallahu ‘anha, is always an impressive to read. The Prophet Muhammad never stopped loving Khadijah, and although he married several more wives after Siti Khadijah passed away in later years and loved them all, it is clear that Khadijah always had a special place in his heart. Once Aisha, (the Prophet's beloved wife) asked him if Khadijah had been the only woman worthy of his love. The Prophet Muhammad replied:

“She believed in me when no one else did; she accepted Islam when people rejected me; and she helped and comforted me when there was no one else to lend me a helping hand.”

The Prophet always mentioned the name of Khadijah and the favoured friends of Khadijah, until Khadijah died. This is the story of Khadijah, the Prophet’s true love. It is a shining example of what an ideal marriage is.

Reference:
https://www.amuslima.com/the-beauty-of-love-and-dating-an-islamic-perspective/

Prophet Sulaiman (as), was a king, a military leader and a Prophet. He had been given by Allah (swt) the ability to communicate with and command the birds and animals, and they were among his battalions of human and jinn. He was a strong, decisive leader of the people and animals and a great Prophet of Allah which came first and foremost over his kingship and the power and riches bestowed upon him by Allah (swt). He had good command over his armies and good knowledge of them so that when one bird, the Hudhud was missing he was able to notice his absence.

He inspected the birds, and said: “What is the matter that I see not the hoopoe? Or is he among the absentees?". (20)

“I will surely punish him with a severe torment, or slaughter him, unless he brings me a clear reason.” (21)

The Hudhud eventually returned telling Sulaiman that he had important information about Queen of Sheba, knowledge which Sulaiman did not have. Saba was ruled by a wealthy queen but that the queen and her people worshipped the sun; the Hudhud bird brought many fine details about the queen of Saba (the queen of Sheba) and her people. Note that the Hudhud bird mentions the greatness of the throne of the queen.

But the Hudhud stayed not long, he (came up and) said: “I have grasped (the knowledge of a thing) which you have not grasped and I have come to you from Saba’ (Sheba) with true news. (22)

“I found a woman ruling over them”, she has been given all things that could be possessed by any ruler of the earth, and she has a great throne. (23)

However, the bird did not judge the queen and her people according to the dunya things that they possessed but rather he judged them according to their kufr - he stated that he found the queen and her people worshipping the sun. Having mentioned the greatness of the throne of the queen, he goes on to praise Allah (swt) stating that Allah is the Owner of the Supreme Throne and none has the right to be worshipped but Him:

“I found her and her people worshipping the sun instead of Allâh, and Shaitân (Satan) has made their deeds fair-seeming to them, and has barred them from (Allâh’s) Way, so they have no guidance,” (24)

As Shaitân (Satan) has barred them from Allâh's Way, so they do not worship (prostrate themselves before) Allah who brings to light what is hidden in the heavens and the earth, and knows what you conceal and what you reveal. (Tafsir At-Tabarî) (25)

Allâh, Lâ ilâha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the Lord of the Supreme Throne! (26)

Sulaiman listened to the information given by the Hudhud bird and then sent the bird back to Saba with a letter to deliver.

Sulaiman said: “We shall see whether you speak the truth or you are (one) of the liars." (27)

“Go you with this letter of mine, and deliver it to them, then draw back from them, and see what (answer) they return.” (28)

The letter was simple, beginning in the name of Allah (swt), telling the queen she should not consider herself exalted against Sulaiman, that is to say that she was not equal to him and that she should come to Sulaiman in submission. She was not equal in the sense that that Sulaiman was a Prophet and had greatness bestowed upon him by Allah. The command to come to Sulaiman as muslims has been explained by the mufassireen in two ways. It can mean ‘come as Muslims’ or ‘come in submission’ since the words islam and muslim mean ’submission’.

She said: “O chiefs! Verily! Here is delivered to me a noble letter, (29)

“Verily, It is from Sulaimân, and verily, It (reads): In the Name of Allâh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful; (30)

“Be you not exalted against me, but come to me as Muslims (true believers who submit to Allâh with full submission)’ ” (31)

The Queen of Saba was a wise woman who used ’shura’ (consultation) in her dealings. Allah guided her to Islam through her hikmah that she had before Islam, so after reading the letter she told her chiefs, I never make a decision without first consulting you so give me your advice:

She said: “O chiefs! Advise me in (this) case of mine. I decide no case till you are present with me (and give me your opinions).” (32)

The chiefs saw the letter of Sulaiman as a threat of invasion and they reminded her of their great military might and encouraged her to meet Sulaiman’s threat and go to war but as a wise woman she told those chiefs that whenever there is war, those who are victorious enter the country and it’s towns and bring humiliation and slavery. She realised that if Sulaiman were to win a war against her, her country would be reduced to the lowest, so she decided to send some of her men on a reconnaissance mission, taking with them gifts:

They said: “We have great strength, and great ability for war, but it is for you to command; so think over what you will command.” (33)

She said: “Verily! Kings, when they enter a town (country), they despoil it, and make the most honourable amongst its people the lowest. And thus they do. (34)

“But verily! I am going to send him a present, and see with what (answer) the messengers return.” (35)

The messengers of the queen entered the palace of Sulaiman with their gifts and saw the riches upon riches that he already had and the powerful armies present, those armies consisting of humans, animals and birds. Instead of accepting the gifts he rebuffed the messengers telling them that he already had prophethood, wealth and a kingdom and his only interest was to bring the people to Tawhid (believing in and submitting to the One which is Allah). He sent the emissaries away back to Saba, they delivered the message of Sulaiman and told her about the riches and the armies they had seen and she decided to visit Sulaiman herself.

So when (the messengers with the present) came to Sulaimân (Solomon), he said: “Will you help me in wealth? What Allâh has given me is better than that which He has given you! Nay, you rejoice in your gift!” (36)

Then Sulaimân said to the chief of her messengers who brought the present]: “Go back to them. We verily shall come to them with hosts that they cannot resist, and we shall drive them out from there in disgrace, and they will be abased.” (37)

After the emissaries from Saba had left Sulaiman spoke to his armies, including the jinns among them and asked who could bring to him the throne of the queen. One jinn offered to bring the throne but obviously Sulaiman wanted the throne much quicker than what was offered, so another jinn offered to bring it in the twinkling of an eye:

He said: “O chiefs! Which of you can bring me her throne before they come to me surrendering themselves in obedience?” (38)

An Ifrît (strong one) from the jinn said: “I will bring it to you before you rise from your place (council). And verily, I am indeed strong, and trustworthy for such work.” (39)

One with whom was knowledge of the Scripture said: “I will bring it to you within the twinkling of an eye!” Then when Sulaiman saw it placed before him, he said: “This is by the Grace of my Lord - to test me whether I am grateful or ungrateful! And whoever is grateful, truly, his gratitude is for (the good of) his own self, and whoever is ungrateful, (he is ungrateful only for the loss of his own self). Certainly! my Lord is Rich (Free of all wants), Bountiful.” (40)

The next step was to disguise the throne a little, to keep the main essence of the throne but make some changes to see if the queen would recognise it. When she arrived and was asked if this was like her throne, she looked at it and could see the striking similarities but as far as she knew her own throne was in her palace in Yemen so she cleverly stayed in between the two answers of yes or no saying, “It is as though it were the same.” Sulaiman noted that she was a diplomatic woman.

He said: “Disguise her throne for her that we may see whether she will be guided (to recognise her throne), or she will be one of those not guided.” (41)

So when she came, it was said (to her): “Is your throne like this?” She said: “(It is) as though it were the very same.” And Sulaiman said: “Knowledge was bestowed on us before her, and we were submitted to Allah (in Islam as Muslims before her).” (42)

And that which she used to worship besides Allah has prevented her (from Islam), for she was of a disbelieving people. (43)

The final test for her and show of Sulaiman’s greatness was when she entered the part of the palace which was floored with glass under which water flowed. Glass was something unknown at that time so when she entered she thought there was only water and she would get wet so she lifted her clothes as she prepared to walk through the water. This was a show of ignorance on her part and she finally realised that she was in the company of one on whom Allah had bestowed many great things and she submitted to Allah:

It was said to her: “Enter As-Sarh” [(a glass surface with water underneath it) or a palace], but when she saw it, she thought it was a pool, and she (tucked up her clothes) uncovering her legs, Sulaiman said: “Verily, it is Sarh [(a glass surface with water underneath it) or a palace].” She said: “My Lord! Verily, I have wronged myself, and I submit (in Islam, together with Sulaiman , to Allah, the Lord of the ‘Alamîn (mankind, jinn and all that exists).” (44)


(Surah An-Naml: ayah 20-44)

Reference:

http://religion4humanity.blogspot.com/2013/10/tafseer-story-of-sulaiman-queen-of-sheba.html

My parents has always been the best role models for me. I am really thankful and blessed with this gift. Alhamdulillah. Looking at how old they've aged, I can never repay whatever they have done for me. I have nothing to offer them except dua for them. May they be placed in Paradise among with the pious. Inshallah. Amin.

They have not only been the best role models, but their love story is a beautiful one. It is beautiful that whenever I felt discourage, I'll remind myself that somehow that my love story would be similar as theirs. They were match made and it was a long way to get to where they are now. Alhamdulillah. They were both opposites yet attracted after marriage. Love grew after marriage. Both were heartbroken and yet Allah is just as beautiful to join their hearts as one. Empathy, compassion and kindness, that's what love is all about. I've always wanted to have a love like their. Whereby each complements each other, work together and complete each other's deen. It is something beautiful because what is made of this life is for the Hereafter. 

This time round I went up to Jabal Rahmah by climbing the rocks instead of taking the stairs. Mashallah that struggle. It's like finding my Adam who is still in search for me too. Hehe.

Jabal Rahmah is a mountain which is famous for the story of Prophet Adam (as) and Hawa (Eve) love meetings. Jabal Rahmah is on the edge of Padang Arafah which is an area in the eastern outskirts of Makkah. Rahmah means mercy. 

The name was taken from a story believed by Muslims, which is a meeting between Adam and Hawa. So when Adam and Hawa were separated due to breaking a promise of Allah, it was to say that they were thrown out from Paradise and Allah place Prophet Adam somewhere in India while Hawa in Jeddah. And Jabal Rahmah is the place where they both met after 300 long years.

On top of Jabal Rahmah there is a monument made ​​of concrete rectangular with a width of 1.8 meters and a height of 8 meters. A local people believe that the location of the meeting of Adam and Hawa is at the exact point of the monument. Jabal Rahmah itself can be regarded as the hills. Only about 70 meters high and can be climbed only by passing pilgrims which takes about 20 minutes. Near monuments, many pilgrims made Dua for a life-long partner.

Jabal Rahmah is also a place for the historic journey of the Prophet Muhammad (saw). It was there that he received the final revelation of Allah, as well as a complement of the teachings of Islam.

رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَٰجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّٰتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَٱجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا

"Rabbana hablana min azwaajina, wa dzurriyyatina qurrata a'yuniw, waj'alna lil muttaqiena imaamaa."

"Ya Tuhan kami, anugerahkanlah kepada kami jodoh [isteri-isteri] kami dan keturunan kami sebagai penyenang hati (kami), dan jadikanlah kami imam bagi orang2 yang bertakwa." 

(QS Al-Furqaan 74)

رَبِّ لَا تَذَرْنِى فَرْدًا وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ ٱلْوَٰرِثِينَ

“ROBBI LAA TADZARNI FARDAN WA ANTA KHOIRUL WAARITSIN”.

"Ya Tuhanku janganlah Engkau membiarkan aku hidup seorang diri dan Engkaulah Waris Yang Paling Baik."

رَبِّ هَبْ لِي مِنْ لَدُنْكَ زَوْجًا طَيِّبًا أَخْطُبُهَ وَأَتَزَوَّجُ بِهِ وَيَكُوْنُ صَاحِبًا لِى فِى الدُنْيَا وَالْأَخِرَة

“ROBBI HABLII MILLADUNKA ZAUJAN THOYYIBAN WAYAKUUNA SHOOHIBAN LII FIDDIINI WADDUNYAA WAL AAKHIROH”.

“Ya Robb, berikanlah kepadaku suami yang terbaik dari sisi-Mu, suami yang juga menjadi sahabatku dalam urusan agama, urusan dunia & akhirat”.