Junaid's POV

She reminded me so much of that person, that person who always made me laugh and happy.

And who is that? She asked.

My twin. I answered calmly.

OMG! Are you are twin? She asked shockingly as I just kept mute.

She kept asking me questions as she freaked out.
Does he look like you? Are you two identical? You know... I have identical twins as roommates too, such beauties Ma Sha Allah💕. So tell me, is he also in this school??? Tell me now please..... He must be so cute I bet. She concluded.

I just kept on smiling as I listened to her go on.
Such a cutie... She looks so cute when she is rambling words. I thought with my subconscious.
What?!! Astagfirullah (I seek forgiveness from Allah) I spat out with my mind as I decided to answer all her pending questions.

Keep it down sis, I don't have a twin who is my lookalike and in this school okay.

But...but you just said you were a twin. She asked in a baffled manner.

Yes, I am. I mean I was, no I am. I answered in a more confusing manner.

Please speak in English. She sighed which made us both chuckle.

Okay fine,
I had a twin sister, but she is late. I said sadly.

"Innalilahi wahina Ilahi Raji'un" (From Allah we come and to him we shall return) She called out loudly as I also assisted her in completing it.

What happened? She queried with a sad face.

A car accident. I plainly answered.

Awwww how sad you must have felt. She consoled with her words.

Hmmmm not really sad, We were little when it happened. 5 years old then I guess. I added.

Plus, She died alongside my mum. They were out on a journey to my Grandparents at Jos, and that was when we got the disheartening phone call.
So sad. I concluded.

I am so sorry about that. You know, my mum always said to Sublicate for the dead (reciting reliving surahs like Ikhlas, Yasin) saying it is "sadaqatul jariyah". I looked at her in amazement as I gestured with my hand for her to continue.

Sadaqatul Jariyah is a gift that not only benefits us in this life but also benefits us and our loved ones in the next. Hadith of the prophet (sallalahu Alaiyhi wasalam) narrated by Muslim says
"When a person dies, all their deeds end except three: a continuing charity, beneficial knowledge, and a child who prays for them"
Don't mind me, I have also been doing researches. She concluded with a smile.

Ma sha Allah Aa'yat, I am so proud of you. I always do whenever I remember them. We both paused as we muttered some verses.

Ameen. we both choroused as we smiled.

What was her name? She asked calmly.

Junaida. I smiled back.

What is it's meaning? She queried.

It was gotten from Junaid meaning fighter, Soldier, warrior.
So Junaid for a male and Junaida for a female. I answered.

Waw Ma Sha Allah💕 such a nice name. I love it. She smiled happily.

Thank you ma'am. Your name is so beautiful too you know right. "Aa'yat". I assured with a smile.

Yes, verses right? She rolled her eyes.

Not just verses miss, but verses of the Qur'an. It can also mean miracles or proofs that describes the verses in the Qur'an.
Ma Sha Allah 💕. I smiled happily too.

Awwww.... Thank you for making me feel special. She blushed.

You are welcome. I answered my smile already fading away.

So tell me, what in me reminded you of her? She further asked.

I cleared my throat as I started; she was a very happy kid while we were growing, she loved to ask my Dad questions a lot. Which you also do for starters.

One day, Dad praised her and said he couldn't wait Allah's willing till her marriage comes. She would make such a beautiful bride.
She then held my hands saying she loves me and we should get married so my Dad could see now and wouldn't have to wait any longer. I concluded as Aa'yat laughed hardly.

With a smile on my face, I continued.
Dad then told her it wasn't possible as we are siblings.

Awwww... How heartbroken she must have felt. Aa'yat smiled as we both chuckled.

She wasn't heartbroken at all. In short, she moved on immediately. I laughed.

Woah really? To whom?

My cousin brother Ra'yan who used to play with us then. I smiled.
She was like.... "Ra'yan, Daddy said I cannot marry Junaid but I can marry you. So starting today, you are my husband to be and we would get married in the future". I answered as we both kept laughing.

And Ra'yan agreed just like that?

Yes of course, we were just kids then. Plus, we all really liked each other a lot.

Aww💕 so sweet. She admired.

How is your Dad now? Remarried? She added.

Yes he remarried three years after mum died. You know, he really found it hard to move on. I chuckled.

He must have really loved your mum. She smiled and I nodded.

Where is he now? She queried yet again.

She really does asks a lot of questions....  I face palmed with my subconscious.

He is at the family businesses headquarters in Saudi Arabia. He is the CEO of sultan enterprises. He visits kaduna when  he is in Nigeria. I smiled.

That is nice, Saudi huh? It must feel so nice there. She smiled.
Just as I wanted answering, she interrupted.

Wait, that means you have gone to Hajj right? I want to go someday too you know. She said sadly.

Lol, In Sha Allah you would okay. I smiled. And yes I have. I think that was the only time I visited self. I completed.

But I don't see your Mecca teeth. She teased.

It isn't compulsory you know right? I smiled as she nodded.

My Dad doesn't have too. She smiled back.

So.... She was about asking again when I called her to stop.

Does asking questions make you that happy??? I finally let out.
You have been asking questions a lot. I smiled.

What is wrong? You don't like it? She asked.

No, I do. As a matter of fact, I really like it. I confessed as she blushed.

So continue.... I ushered.

Thank you. She smiled as she continued.

You mentioned the name Ra'yan the other time, your cousin's right. She started as I nodded with a yes.
It sounds so nice, I think I like it.

What is it's meaning? She finally asked.

Ra'yan is amongst the gates of Jannah (Heaven) provided for those who fasts regularly including on Mondays and Thursdays. I smiled.

So Jannah has gates??? She asked surprisingly.

Yes of course. I answered.

Want to know them?? I offered.

Yes please. She answered with silence as I began.

The Eight Doors Or Gates Of Jannah

1. Baabus Salaah: Those who were consistent in observing their Salaah (prayer) will be granted entry through this door.

2. Baabul Jihad: Those who participated in Jihad will be granted entry through this door.

3. Baabus Sadaqah: Those who frequently gave Sadaqah will be admitted into Jannah through this door.

4. Baabur Rayyan: The people who constantly observed the fast will be granted entry through this door.

5. Baabul Hajj: Those who observe the pilgrimage will be admitted through this door.

6. Baabul Kaazimeenal Ghaiz Wal Aafina Anin Naas: This door is reserved for those who suppress their anger and pardon others.

7. Baabul Aiman: This door is reserved for the entry of people who are saved from reckoning and chastisement (The Awliyah).

8. Baabus zikr: Those who excessively remembered Allah will be admitted through this door. I concluded with a smile.

Understood? I queried

Yes understood. But I didn't hear you call firdauz. My mum always prays for Jannatul firdauz for us. She stated confusedly.

Oh, that is because Firdauz is amongst the levels of Jannah.

Traditionally, firdauz is also understood as the highest and nearest part of Jannah to Allah just beneath his throne. Here is the Arrangement from the lowest to highest.

1. Jannatul Mawa
2. Darul Maqaam
3. Darul Salaam
4. Darul Khalid
5. Jannat-ul-Adan
6. Jannat-ul-Naeem
7. Jannat-ul-kasif
8. Jannat-ul-firdous
9. Illiyun.

Illiyun is the abode of perfect mumins.
The name of the lounge of the hafaza (protection) angels to where the deeds of the righteous are ascended. It is the closest level to the highest degree, the gate of consent in the hereafter.

Waw Ma Sha Allah 💕❤️, all sounds beautiful. May Allah Grant us Jannah In Sha Allah.
Ameen😭🙏.

Ameen ya rabb. I answered which she also did.

So what about the Hell, I mean don't they have gates too to hell? She asked further.

Yes of course, there are.

Gates of Hell

1. Jahannam : The fire will scorch the faces of the men and women who enter it.

2. Ladha : The fire will eat away their body parts one by one, both internally and externally. It would invite those who abandoned Tawheed (Islamic monotheism) and turned away from that which the prophet (sallalahu Alaiyhi wasalam) came with.

3. Saqar : It spares nothing and leaves nothing behind, it will shake them vehemently and over it are nineteen angels. It would eat up the flesh of human being but not his bones.

4. Al-Hutamah : It will shatter the bones of the human being and burn the heart and other internal organs. The fire will start at his feet and burn all the way through until it reaches the heart.

5. Jaheem : It is one big piece of hot coal that is bigger than the lowest heaven as we know it.

6. As sa'eer : Here, there are scorpions and snakes, ropes, chains and shackles!!! There is also something called "pit of agony", which is incomparable and unparalleled to any other type of punishment.

7. Al-Haawiyah : This gate is Hawiyah because whoever enters this level of the Hell fire, WILL NEVER COME OUT!!

"Wal 'iyadhu Billah" (I seek refuge with Allah from evil).
They all sound scary💔
May Allah save us from the punishments of the grave and hell.
Ameen😭
Ameen ya rabb. We both chorused.

I felt like crying when you mentioned the gates of Hell, I mean it all sounds so scary. Aa'yat sadly said.

Yes, just the thought of Allah (Subhanahu watahala) alone is enough to cry your heart out. I sighed back.

Those understood, so what is your answer to my question? She winked.

What question? I played dumb.

I really love you Junaid. After Allah, myself, my mum then it is you. She said calmly.

It is good to see that Allah is first okay. You should always put Allah first in whatever you do.

So are you proud of me? She smiled

Of course I am. I answered

Then, will you marry me? Your Dad is rich, mine too. If school is the problem, I can transfer to another or even quit and start Islamiyah, anything you want. I just want to be with you. The right way. She sadly said out.

Those aren't the problem Aa'yat. I answered calmly.

Then what is?? She queried.
Are you in love with someone else? Or what? She asked causally.

Yes I am. I answered yet calmly.

Who is she??? She fired back.

Inayat Yusuf. I blurted out carelessly.

What???? My roommate? She asked furiously.

Yes I guess.... I blurted yet again.

And you are even saying yes huh??..... She widened her eyes.

And that was when it dawned on me that I had voiced out.
Ya Allah, what have I done, I didn't even know when I said it out. My subconscious startled.

See you next time Allah's willing❤️💕

Yhu_so_shy