"And we plan
And Allaah plans
Allaah is the best of planners."

《بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم》

Sarah smiled softly as she looked down at her protruding belly beneath her white summer dress. Not a single day went by without her thanking Allaah for this huge blessing He gifted them.

The journey for Sarah and Ibraheem had been extremely long. There came days when she would break down pathetically while her husband was at work, but there also were days when she would remain positive and perhaps occupy herself with household chores.

At one point, her marriage was definitely going downhill and no one believed that it would last but here they were today, going stronger than ever.

Sarah knew that life of marriage was not a bed full of only roses, there were some thorns too, but at the end of the day, it was up to the couple to either be cowards and walk away or sit down like civilized humans and sort any problem out.

What was Sarah and Ibraheem going through, you might ask?

About one year into her marriage, Sarah found out that she was barren. That was when all hell broke loose. She was in depression for almost a year; Ibraheem and she hardly communicated during that period of time because he drowned himself in work while Sarah hardly came out of her room.

Finally, one day, she started attending Islamic classes which helped her come out of her depression. Her ustaad told her to recite the Qur'aan whenever she felt sadness creeping in her, or simply sit on the prayer mat and make d'ua to the Almighty.

One particular day, Sarah came across a verse in the holy Qur'aan:

"Allaah does not burden a soul more than it can bear."

She cried for an hour straight and immediately seeked forgiveness for all the times she questioned Allaah's will. After all, she was human, and humans are meant to make mistakes.

With Allaah in her life she realised that she could sail through life's highs and lows. Allaah is always close to His servants who continue to ask Him.

Sarah and Ibraheem talked things out and took small steps to mend their relationship, and life started to seem a little brighter than before.

After fourteen years, Sarah discovered that she was pregnant even though she had an ovarian cyst and fibroids. You learn something new every day, and today she learnt that Allaah does certain things to show insaan that He is the One Who can do anything and nothing can prevent the will of Allaah.

Mankind would never be able to understand how Allaah makes things they thought was impossible possible.

The road might seem long, dark and bleak, but just know there is always- always hope at the end of the tunnel! For Allaah Ta'Allaah says in the Holy Qur'aan:

"Do not lose hope in the mercy of Allaah."

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

Nine exciting months passed by in the blink of an eye... It was finally time for her to give birth to the miracle they were blessed with.

Her husband stood beside the hospital bed, giving her a final peck on her forehead, and reminding her to read Surah Yaseen, he walked out of the room with excitement pumping through his veins.

After four painful hours, the cries of the newborn baby filled her ears, her heart swelling with happiness. The nurse placed her baby girl on her chest and as soon as contact was made, the crying of the baby seized and Sarah wrapped her hand around her little fingers.

Ibraheem rushed inside the room with a wide smile on his face and walked up to the duo. Tears fell from his eyes and the only thing that came out of his mouth was:
'Allaah is Great.'

After reciting the Adhan in her ear, the father kissed the child's little nose lightly and handed her back to Sarah, who watched them with tears in her eyes and a smile on her face.

"Ibraheem?" Sarah questioned.

"Yes, my love?" Intertwining their hands, he encouraged her to go on.

"Always know that I loved you for the pleasure of Allaah and I'm so happy that I was a part of your life."

"Are you trying to say you don't love me anymore?" Ibraheem joked.

Sarah rolled her eyes at him but still continued speaking when she felt her eyes getting more heavier, "I know that you will love our baby and bring her up with proper deen and etiquette, and I hope that Allaah protects you two always. Don't forget to tell my baby how much I love her and that I'll always be in her heart."

Sarah swallowed the lump in her throat and handed their baby back to a very confused Ibraheem.

"Sarah what are you trying to say? Should I get the doctors?" Ibraheem worriedly inquired.

"I'm fine, don't worry about me. Oh- there's something I left for you in the bottom of our bedroom drawer; please read it."

Sarah smiled slightly, her eyes memorizing the image of Ibraheem with the baby tucked into his arms safely.

Finally, her eyes closed, never to be opened again, and the last words that Ibraheem heard from her lips were,

"Indeed Allaah is Great."

Ibraheem understood what happened as soon as his eyes fell on the heart monitor, flat lines on the screen staring back at him.

He pressed the panic button and immediately the nurse rushed into the room with the doctor behind her.

"My wife is no more! My child is motherless," Ibraheem cried out, tears streaming down his face as he hugged his baby girl close to his chest.

The doctor's eyes widened in shock and he rushed towards Sarah, but it was obviously too late.

'Oh, what a strong woman she was.'

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

Dear Ibraheem,

If you're reading this, it means I have returned to the One who put me in this world and has now taken me away.

Knowing how your nature, you're probably avoiding our family saying that you're perfectly fine, but deep down inside, you're not. Don't shut them out, Ibraheem. They are the people you need right now even though you think you don't want that.

At first when the doctors told me that I might not make it, I cried for hours, but then I thought to myself, 'How can I be so ungrateful? Allaah has already given me so much.'

It did pain me a little to think that I wouldn't be able to see my daughter's first smile, her first crawl and walk, to watch her play, to hear her say 'mummy' or 'daddy', to walk her on her first day of school, and finally to watch her grow into a beautiful young woman.

But my heart was at ease knowing that you would be there with her to witness all of it, if Allaah wills, and that is enough for me.

My love, you are the one who brought a little more sunshine to my life, made it so much more better. I want you to always know that.

Cry all you want even if it takes you months or years but just try to be strong for our daughter, I have hope that you will.

Please take care of yourself too! I know how selfless you are sometimes. You always worry about those around you and forget that you're human too. Also, try to calm your anger, now that we have a baby. *wink*

Check in on our families once in a while just like how we would do together. Remember they are also grieving and need your love, support, and warmth.

I also hope that you remember the conversation we had about keeping the name I wanted. Don't you dare think about breaking your promise and keeping the name YOU liked.

Jokes aside, I love you so so so much, Ibraheem. My heart is bursting with love and joy as I look at you right now making food for me for the twentieth time! (Haha!)

Tell my little princess that I love her so much and that mummy will be reunited with her in Jannah, Aameen.

May the Almighty bring us back together in the everlasting abode where there will be no pain or sorrows, where we will tell each other: 'We made it!'

Aameen...

With love,
Your wife, Sarah Muhammad

Ibraheem smiled at his six-year-old daughter who fell asleep in his arms whilst he read the letter to her. It was their habit to read Sarah's letter every night before going to sleep.

He placed Attiyah on the pillow beside his, then he switched the bedside lamp off and covered himself and Attiyah with the duvet.

He kept his promise to Sarah and named their daughter Attiyah Ibraheem Muhammad.

'Attiyah' meant 'a gift'.

A small chuckle escaped his mouth when he felt little arms wrap around him. She was just like her mother.

"I love you, daddy. I love mummy, too," she whispered sleepily with a cute small on her face.

"I love you, too, my love, and so does your mummy."

In the end, it's only Allaah who helps you with it all.

The end!

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

Asalamualaykum, my dear readers! How are you all doing?

So this was a short one-chapter story which I hope you all enjoyed reading as much as I did writing!

Inspired by a true story I read on Instagram.
(However some parts are fictional)

If you liked this one, don't forget to press the star button at the bottom and comment your thoughts!

See you in my other books. (In Sha Allaah).

Signing out,
Dreamer🌸