Table Of ContentWhat We Learned Along the Way
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT WWLAW
The following statements have been taken from online review sites (Amazon,
Barnes and Noble, Smashwords.com). They have not been altered in any way.
“This book is a KEEPER. The characters were so realistic that you could
identify with them on so many levels. The story covers so many issues that may
be found within the Muslim community and the greater community at large that
the reader will find it hard to deny that it touches home. The Author did an
excellent job from page one of drawing you in and not letting you go until the
last word on the last page of the book was read. Impatiently waiting for the
sequel!!!!.. Would definitely buy another book from this author. Well Written
and Well Said.”
“I started reading this book at 8pm and could not put it down until 3am. I
believed some people can identify with the characters in the book. I am
anxiously awaiting the sequel.”
“This is a very good book really glad i read it loved the story from start to finish,
read it in one day and cants wait for the next one, but PLEASE hurry up i hate
waiting.”
“Nadirah Angail is the premiere novelist for the current and future generations of
readers. The female and male characters display personalities that's familiar and
extraordinary. The plot is intriguing with every page read. I'm proud of Nadirah
for bringing for realistic examples of
The human experience!”
“So glad I bought this book. I figured I'd try it since a friend suggested it and I'm
so glad I did. I saw a little of myself in every character, especially Aliya. The
writing is really easy to read also. I read it all in one day! Highly recommended
for muslims and non Muslims.”
“The only thing I didn't like about this book was that it ended too soon! I hope
there is a sequel.”
“This book pulled me in and wouldn't let go.
I'm not sure I could have less in common with these women, yet at the same time
I wanted to know all about them and felt for them on so many levels. The author
has created a myriad of characters that feel real in a setting that is timeless,
facing the same challenges we all face. I'll be keeping my eye out for more from
Nadirah Angail.”
~
For more information about Nadirah Angail and her other books (future and
previous) visit nadirahangail.com. Sign up for the fan list to stay up-to-date on
future releases, blog posts and giveaways!
What We Learned Along the Way
by
Nadirah Angail
*
PUBLISHED BY:
Nadirah Angail at Smashwords What We Learned Along the Way Copyright © 2011 Nadirah Angail
Smashwords Edition License Notes This ebook is licensed for your personal
enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If
you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an
additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not
purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to
Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the
hard work of this author.
*
For: Everyone searching for self and those who have already found it.
* * * * *
Glossary of Islamic Terms
Abaya-over garment, worn over clothes Al-Fatiha- Opening chapter of Quran
Alhamdulillah-means “All praises due to God.”
Allah-Arabic word for “God.”
As salaam alaikum-greeting, means “peace be upon you”
Ayatul-Kursi- Famous verse from the 2nd chapter of Quran
Eid-Muslim holiday, literally means “reoccurring festivities”
Hijab-In this context, used to refer to headscarf worn by women
Imam-Muslim religious leader
Inshallah-means, “If it is the will of Allah.”
Khutbah-speech or sermon given by an Imam
Kufi-religious hat Muslim men wear as a marker of their faith and devotion.
Mosque-Muslim place of worship
Nasheed-Islamic singing and chanting Wa alaikum salaam-response to greeting,
means “and peace be upon you too”
*
Chapter 1-Malikah
“You’re wearing that?” Malikah’s mother asked as she stood in the half-open
door and gave her daughter a disapproving glare.
“No, mother, I just wanted to put it on and stare at myself in it,” Malikah said
sarcastically.
“Honestly, Malikah, do you even care about finding a husband? You can’t
expect to meet a nice young man if you’re not at least presentable.”
Malikah let out a loud huff. “And what would you suggest I wear, mother?”
“I don’t know, but not that,” she said as she started to leave the room, but not
before sticking her head back in the door for one last comment. “It makes you
look fat,” she added. Then she left.
Malikah slammed her door and walked over to the closet to find another, more
presentable outfit. The sound of her phone ringing pulled Malikah from her
search.
“Hey, girl, I’m outside.” Malikah pulled the curtain back and saw Mariam’s blue
Honda in the driveway.
“On my way,” Malikah told her. She took one last look at her outfit in the
mirror. “Why bother,” she said with a small sigh. She closed her closet door and
left her room, careful not to cross her mother’s path.
“As salaam alaikum,” Mariam greeted her as she hopped in the car.
“Wa alaikum salaam. So, where are we going?” Malikah asked with a curious
smile.
“Don’t worry about it. I told you it’s a surprise. It’s your birthday. Just relax and
have fun,” her friend reassured her. Malikah smiled, but she felt a little uneasy.
She hated surprises and remembered how horribly her last surprise had gone.
The plan was to have a simple dinner party at Starr. Everything was going well
until Muhammad, the surprise guest Malikah had been in love with for years,
showed up. She hadn’t seen him in months, but was pleasantly surprised when
he walked into the dimly lit room looking better than ever. Her plan was to let
out a cool “Hey, how’s it going?” as she casually leaned on the big glass fish
tank beside her.
It started off fine, until she realized the tank was not stationary, but on wheels.
Too late. She had already leaned her weight into it and was scrambling to regain
her balance. She fell to the floor and had no choice but to watch the fish tank
slide into a table and crash to the ground, leaving a flood of smelly water and
helpless fish flopping around on the floor.
The mere thought of that day made her cringe.
Mariam saw the horror in her friend’s face and felt the need to comfort her.
“Don’t worry. There won’t be any fish tanks where we’re going,” Mariam said,
flailing her arms around in imitation.
“Oh, that’s real funny, Mariam. That’s just what I needed, but seriously, where
are we going?” Just as she asked that question, she recognized the neighborhood
they were entering. They were going to Jaime’s house. “Jaime’s coming?”
Malikah asked in disgust. “I don’t want her ruining everything.”
“Malikah, come on. You know you two are always getting into fights. Then, you
make up and act like nothing happened. It’s what you two do.”
“No, Mariam, it’s what we used to do. I’m tired of her looking down her nose at
me, treating me like I’m such a heathen. I may not be the model Muslim, but
that’s no reason for her to act like she does.”
“You know how she is, Malikah. She doesn’t mean anything by it. She can’t
help it; look at her parents. Let’s just all go out and have fun,” Mariam pleaded.
Malikah took a second to think. “Well, her parents are the most judgmental
people I’ve ever met,” she admitted. “Remember how shocked her father was
when he first met us? He couldn’t believe we wore pants.” The two of them
laughed until they pulled up to Jaime’s house. “Okay, you’re right. We have
been friends forever, but she’s not going to keep treating me like this. We’re
getting way too old for this.”
The two of them were still chuckling when Jaime approached the car.
“What’s so funny?” Jaime asked as she opened the car door.
“Nothing,” they said in unison.
“You look nice,” Mariam complemented Jaime. Malikah didn’t want to admit it,
but Jaime did look nice. Even though Jaime only wore Islamic clothing, she
always looked great. Her long A-line abayas were always covered with delicate
details and flowed so nicely on her body. She and her parents traveled a lot, so
most of them were from other countries. Malikah never wore abayas. She
thought they made her look short and dumpy, but not Jaime. On her long, lean,
statuesque frame, they looked perfect. Though Malikah would never say it to her
face, she thought Jaime looked like the Muslim Miss America. Malikah wished
she could look half as beautiful.
While they drove, Mariam talked to Malikah and Jaime talked to Mariam, but
Jaime and Malikah said nothing to each other. Malikah loved her friend and
hated giving her the silent treatment, but she was tired of her snide remarks.
Jaime was smart in both secular and religious knowledge, and she made sure
everyone knew it. Any chance she got to make herself look good at someone
else’s expense, she took. When Sister Khadijah, mother of the only two decent
looking young men at her mosque, began to inquire about Malikah, Jaime made
it a point to suggest herself as a far more fitting option.
“Oh, Malikah, she’s a wonderful sister,” Jaime told Sister Khadijah in her
sweetest voice. “She’s in college and is really going somewhere in life. In fact,
she spends so much time at school that she’s hardly ever at the mosque. You
know how busy the women of today are,” she chuckled. “Never any time to pray
or study the religion.” She then gave a long speech, as if running for political
office, about how she was ready for marriage and extremely dedicated to being a
great wife and mother. Malikah would have never known about Jaime’s scheme
had it not been for her sister Kalimah, who happened to overhear the whole
thing. When Malikah confronted Jaime about the situation, Jaime apologized,
but Malikah felt the apology was just as fake as every other one she had ever
given.
Chapter 2-Aliya
“Not another one way,” Aliya complained as she drove through downtown
Houston, looking for the concert hall. She hated driving her new car through
congested areas like downtown. The last thing she needed was a dent in her
fresh, red paint. After driving in a few circles, she finally saw a sign that read
“Divas All-Stars Concert, This Way.” She let out a huge sigh of relief and let the
huge arrows lead her in the right direction. Now that she knew where she was
going, she could relax. Aliya put the window down to let in some fresh air. She
loved the feeling of the wind blowing through her big, wild hair.
Aliya was the only one in her group of friends who never covered her hair.
When she was younger, she covered all the time and never imagined there’d
come a day when she wouldn’t, but things had changed. It started when she was
16, after her mother died of cancer. In one year’s time, she went from being the
head of her Muslim youth group to not going to the mosque at all. Now, four
years later, she had basically removed all aspects of Islam from her life. One day
she would reconnect, but not now.
She pulled into the parking lot and checked the time. The concert started at 8
o’clock, and it was only 7:15 pm. She called Mariam to see how far away they
were. When Mariam told her she had just picked up Jaime and still had another
30-minute drive, Aliya decided to walk around a bit. There were a lot of men in
the parking lot, and Aliya couldn’t help but smile. Unlike her friends, she was
not looking for a husband. She just wanted to have fun. Every other Muslim
woman she knew had been looking for a husband since the age of 14, but that
was the last thing on Aliya’s mind. She didn’t care if he was Muslim, Christian,
or any other religion. She was an equal opportunity dater.
Ironically enough, she had found through her years of dating all different types
of men that she liked Muslim men the least. She felt they were too strict and
always trying to control her, just like her father. He always had something to
say:
“You’re pants are too tight.”
“Why don’t you wear hijab anymore?”
“You don’t pray anymore.”
She couldn’t stand her father’s nagging or the arguments that inevitably ensued,
so she kept her visits short and sweet. That was the only way she could consider
