brighten
seeker of knowledge
:salam2:
I've been asked before if there is a proposal from someone who is a graduate from Harvard or Oxford and a graduate from Al-Azhar or similar universities which of these two scholars would you put your preference on your marriage partner (say both are equaly good in character)...
anyway here's another story to share..enjoy reading.
wassalam.
...................
~*~ Salman Wants to Get Married ~*~
Seeing that his mother was in a good mood, Salman sat near her and said, 'Mother, I have an idea which should bring you much joy."
His mother answered eagerly, "My son, all that you give me makes me
happy. What is on your mind?"
"You know," he told her, "I have finished my studies and can afford to begin a family. I have decided to marry."
His mother's face brightened with a smile. "This is very good news! I have long awaited such a day," she told him. "How often I have wished you would marry one of your cousins. Praise be to Allah that you have made this decision before it is too late!." Salman exclaimed, "Before it's too late? What do you mean?" "Your cousin Maryam is now old enough to marry. Every day there is someone visiting her home, seeking her hand."
Salman sat silently for a moment and said, "Then why should we bother her suitors?"
"What do you mean, Salman?," asked his mother, dismayed.
"My cousin Maryam is not fit for me."
"Why not? No, my son, you're mistaken. I shall go and see about your engagement tomorrow," his mother told him.
Salman frowned and said, "No, mother. Please do not do such a thing. I will not agree to this." "When she becomes your fiancé, you will feel love for her. Put aside your fears. Maryam is beautiful, and she has a respectable job."
Salman disagreed, "No. This matter only concerns me."
Salman's mother thought for a moment and said, "If you dislike Maryam, then there's my brother's daughter. She is as beautiful as Maryam, and she has inherited a large sum of money from my brother.
"Mother, please think about this matter from my point of view. I need someone to share my life, not a business partner."
His mother became angry and sharply asked, "What's wrong with my niece? Why isn't she good enough to be your wife?"
Salman replied, "She is not a practicing Muslim. I want a Muslim wife."
Salman's mother laughed sarcastically and said, "You speak as if you were an angel who could only marry another angel. Why don't you stop saying such nonsense, my son? You are an educated young man, you should give up your impossible ideals."
"I am neither an angel, nor do I seek a saint for a wife. I am a Muslim believer looking for a girl who also believes in Islam." replied Salman.
Salman's mother told him, "I don't know any girls who share your ideals."
He said, "I know someone who measures up to my expectations."
Startled by this admission, Salman's mother asked, "You know someone? Who is she? Since when do you begin friendship with girls?"
Salman answered quickly, "I didn't mean that I know a girl personally, but I know of her." "I see," she said. "You have already chosen your wife. Who is this lucky girl?" "Mother, please be more understanding. I hope you will take my side and persuade father to agree with my choice."
This appeal to Salman's mother softened her, and she said, "I swear that I think only of your welfare. I'll help you. Tell me, what are this girl's qualifications?"
Salman told her, "Nothing matters except the religious aspect. She is Muslim, and wears complete hijab." "Oh, then she is uneducated!"
"No, she has a high school education and her religious knowledge is extensive."
Then his mother asked, "What family is she from? Do I know them?"
"She is from a good family known for their piety", Salman told her. "Of what use is a well-known family if a girl has no Islamic morals?" He silently beseeched Allaah to give him the patience to overcome his mother's resistance. "A happy marriage doesn't depend on fame or wealth. Happiness stems from spiritual nearness and mutual understanding." Then, in a different tone of voice his mother asked, "What does her father do for a living?" "He is a grocer," Salman replied.
"A grocer?!", she exclaimed. "Yes. He is a grocer and a very righteous man. He is the head of a happy and virtuous family."
Salman's mother interrupted him, "You are the son of a wealthy man; with your college degree you wish to marry a grocer's daughter?
What a shame! Yet you ask me to assist you! If I had chosen the daughter of a jeweler, how would you feel?"
His mother replied, "There is a big difference between a jeweler and a grocer."
"The only difference is with regard to the substance. The former sells rings and the latter sells sugar. Both work in order to earn money," Salman answered.
His mother lamented, "Imagine your father's reaction to this news! "
Salman said firmly, " This is my desire, either you help me or I'll do it myself."
He spoke so seriously that his mother laughed mockingly, saying, "Does the matter require a great effort? The least move you make, they will give their daughter to you gladly."
Salman shook his head in doubt and said, "Wait and see!"
"What an odd situation this is! Am I to present my son to a grocer's daughter? What special beauty does this girl possess to make you blind to every other consideration?'
"I have not yet seen her," Salman said.
"Then how do you know she's not ugly?" asked his mother.
"I know she is not. As far as good conduct is concerned, physical beauty is of little importance."
"Oh Salman, my amazement never ceases."
The next morning, Salman told his father of his intentions. His father became angry, but Salman remained determined to marry the woman of his choice. Finally his father agreed and Salman asked his mother to visit the girl's home to make the proposal and overcome any obstacles.
The following afternoon Salman's mother, accompanied by his oldest sister, went to the girl's house. On the way there, Salman's sister asked her mother what the girl's name was. Her mother replied, " I forgot to ask him! "When they knocked on the family's door, they were surprised to see a beautiful young girl open it. The girl was surprised to see the two unfamiliar women, but she showed them into the living room and went to tell her mother that they had visitors.
Her mother welcomed the guests and waited for them to explain the reason for their visit. After exchanging greetings, Salman's mother asked who was who had opened the door. "It was my daughter, Zaynab," she replied. "Do you have any other daughter?" asked Salman's mother. "No, she's my only daughter", replied her mother. Salman's mother and sister were delighted to learn that the girl was Zaynab. Just then, Zaynab entered with coffee for their visitors and put off her niqab. She sat next to Salman's sister and they soon found much to discuss. Then she collected the empty coffee cups and left the room.
Salman's mother began, "We have come with a blessed aim. We would be happy to have your daughter Zaynab as a wife for my son." She praised her son for his intelligence, his good looks and his wealth, but she neglected to mention his firm Islamic beliefs, which was very important to Zaynab's mother. Therefore, Salman's mother was stunned when Zaynab's mother shook her head slowly and said, "I'm very sorry. It is difficult for me to agree to this proposal; in fact, it's impossible." With much surprise, Salman's mother asked, "What is impossible?"
"My daughter is still young. I'm sure your son can find a girl who suits him." Salman's mother protested, "But Zaynab suits him well!
Would you be kind enough to justify your refusal?"
"I only have one daughter, and I should be sure of her future married life."
"But Salman is well-off financially," said his mother. "He is a Doctor!"
Zaynab's mother replied, "Zaynab would not marry someone because he is wealthy or has a college degree."
Salman's mother was at a loss for words. "Then what will ensure your daughter's happiness and consent?"
"When a mother looks for a wife for her son, she should mention her son's conduct." said the mother of Zaynab. "My daughter is a committed Muslim. She wants a Muslim husband, and remember, my daughter wears hijab, and your son may want a modern wife, who dresses like his mother and sister."
Salman's mother laughed with relief and told her, "You're correct.
I haven't mentioned his conduct. I thought that other aspects of his
character were of more importance. My son is a faithful Muslim. He
is, in fact, looking for a wife who observes hijab. Be sure that my
appearance (un-Islamic clothing) is not to Salman's taste."
Zaynab's mother also smiled and said, "You should have told me earlier! Please give us your address so we can visit you and learn more about your son."
"We hope you can come early next week," said Salman's mother.
Salman was waiting anxiously for his mother's return. As soon as she and her daughter returned home he asked, "Well, mother? How was your visit?"
"It was very strange," she replied.
"What was strange?", he asked. "Has anything bad happened?"
"Oh no, Salman. But I never expected such a thing," she answered. "Then they have refused?" Salman's father said, "How could a grocer's daughter refuse a wealthy young man?"
Salman's mother turned to her husband and said, " They did, in fact, refuse..."
"What! they refused?" asked the father. "I spoke about Salman's good qualities, but I didn't mention his Islamic morals. My appearance also caused her to decline my proposal because her daughter is a very faithful Muslim. When I realized their objections, I told them that you are a true Muslim as well. I have come to respect them very much. They don't care about status or wealth."
"Have you seen the girl?", asked Salman's father.
"Yes, she is very beautiful, lovely and polite. Salman is a lucky man to have made such a choice."
The following week, Zaynab's family paid a visit to Salman's home and plans were made for the upcoming wedding. They were soon married and there was much rejoicing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oh, Allaah, by your knowledge of the unseen and your power over all creation, keep me alive so long as life is good for me, and bring about my death when death is good for me! Oh, Allaah, i ask u to make me fear you in secret and in the open, i ask you to make me speak sincerely at times of contentment and at times of anger, i ask you to make me moderate in poverty and in wealth, i ask you for a blessing that does not end, contentment that never ceases, and for acceptance of your decree! i ask you for a good life after death, and i ask you for the joy of looking upon your face and the longing to meet you with no harmful adversity or misleading trial! Oh, Allaah, adorn us with the beauty of faith, guide us and let us be a means of guidance for others!!! ameen!
