Chapter Twenty-Three: Rain, Qur’an, and Smiles After Years of Trials

 Nīkah Written by Qādr, Tested by Genotype

Chapter Twenty-Three: Rain, Qur’an, and Smiles After Years of Trials

It was one of those mornings where the sky carried a soft rain that fell gently without anger, and the air was cool enough to make everyone stay indoors or gather under shelter. The whole environment felt calm, and for once, there was no rush, no hospital worry, no urgent stress about sickness or medication. It felt like a small break had been written into our lives, even if only for a short time.

We were all together in one space, myself, my husband Julaybib, and our children Sibghatullah and Ghurobah. The sound of rain tapping lightly on the surroundings created a peaceful background that made everything feel softer than usual. Sibghatullah was sitting comfortably, holding a Qur’an, while Ghurobah stayed close to me, watching everything with curiosity.

Julaybib suddenly looked at Sibghatullah with a playful expression, the kind of expression that meant something mischievous was about to happen.

Julaybib: “You know, Sibghatullah, I have been watching you recite Qur’an lately, and I am starting to think you are only strong when I am not challenging you.”

Sibghatullah looked up immediately, slightly confused but already smiling because he knew his father’s tone.

Sibghatullah: “I am always strong, Baba, you are the one who gets tired easily.”

I immediately laughed because the confidence in his voice was too bold for his age, and Julaybib raised his eyebrows in a dramatic way.

Julaybib: “Oh really? So you are saying you can defeat me in recitation?”

Sibghatullah: “If we start, you will be the one asking for mercy first.”

At that moment, I could not hold my laughter anymore. It was rare to see such lightness in our home after everything we had been through over the years. Even Ghurobah started smiling, watching both of them like she was witnessing a serious competition.

Julaybib leaned forward slightly and made a promise with a playful tone.

Julaybib: “If you beat me in this recitation challenge, I will buy you a phone immediately.”

Sibghatullah’s eyes widened slightly, not because of greed, but because he suddenly realized this was becoming a real competition.

Sibghatullah: “You are serious?”

Julaybib: “Very serious.”

Sibghatullah: “Then prepare your money.”

I immediately raised my hand, still laughing.

Tahira: “Wait, wait, I will be the judge. Nobody will cheat in my house.”

Julaybib smiled.

Julaybib: “Fair enough, let the mother of the house decide.”

Sibghatullah: “She is going to favor me anyway.”

I shook my head immediately.

Tahira: “No favoritism here. I will be strict.”

Ghurobah clapped her hands softly.

Ghurobah: “I want to watch!”

The atmosphere felt completely different from the years of stress we had lived through. It was simple, normal, and full of life. I decided to set the rule clearly so there would be no confusion.

Tahira: “We will recite from Juz Amma, but moving upward from Surah Al-Kahf portion we agreed earlier. No skipping, no mistakes, and no rushing.”

Julaybib nodded.

Julaybib: “Agreed.”

Sibghatullah also nodded seriously.

Sibghatullah: “Agreed.”

I opened the Qur’an and positioned myself carefully.

Tahira: “Alright, Julaybib will start first, then Sibghatullah will follow, and I will correct if necessary.”

Julaybib adjusted his sitting position, trying to act confident.

Julaybib: “In the name of Allah, I begin.”

He started reciting, and surprisingly, the first verses came out smoothly. I looked at him with a slight smile because he was actually doing better than expected.

Tahira: “Hmm… not bad.”

Sibghatullah whispered softly.

Sibghatullah: “He is lucky this time.”

Julaybib continued with confidence, but as he progressed, he started mixing one verse with another, trying to keep up with his own memory.

Julaybib: “Wait… no… I think it is this one…”

I raised my hand gently.

Tahira: “Focus. No confusion.”

He laughed nervously and tried again, but the pressure of the challenge made him slightly lose balance in recitation.

Julaybib: “Okay okay… I admit, this boy is going to make me lose my phone.”

Sibghatullah smiled widely, already feeling confident.

Sibghatullah: “Baba, you are shaking already.”

Julaybib pointed at him playfully.

Julaybib: “Don’t rush, your turn is coming.”

Then it was Sibghatullah’s turn. He took a deep breath, placed his hand gently on the Qur’an, and began reciting with clarity and calmness that reflected his memorization training.

His voice was steady, and every verse came out with precision. Even I, as his mother, felt proud listening to him in that moment.

Tahira: “MashaAllah… continue.”

Julaybib was now watching carefully, trying to spot mistakes, but Sibghatullah was moving smoothly without hesitation.

Sibghatullah continued confidently, and I could see Julaybib slowly realizing that the challenge was not going in his favor.

Julaybib whispered quietly.

Julaybib: “This boy is serious…”

Then suddenly, as Julaybib tried to regain focus for his second attempt, he made a small mistake by mixing the order of verses.

Tahira immediately reacted.

Tahira: “Stop there… you have already lost your flow.”

Julaybib paused and looked at me.

Julaybib: “So what is the judgment?”

I looked at Sibghatullah, then back at him, trying to maintain seriousness but failing because I was still smiling.

Tahira: “The winner is Sibghatullah.”

Sibghatullah immediately raised his hands in joy.

Sibghatullah: “Phone! Phone! Phone!”

Julaybib sighed dramatically.

Julaybib: “I have been defeated by my own son.”

I laughed again.

Tahira: “You made the promise yourself.”

Julaybib shook his head smiling.

Julaybib: “Yes, yes, I will fulfill it. A man must keep his word.”

Sibghatullah immediately ran to him happily.

Sibghatullah: “Thank you Baba!”

Julaybib hugged him tightly.

Julaybib: “Use it wisely, don’t become addicted.”

Sibghatullah: “I will use it for Qur’an too.”

That statement made the room even quieter for a moment, because it carried sincerity.

Then Ghurobah suddenly stood up, crossing her arms.

Ghurobah: “I also want challenge.”

I looked at her smiling.

Tahira: “What kind of challenge now?”

Ghurobah: “If I win, you buy me clothes and hijab and niqab.”

Julaybib laughed.

Julaybib: “This one has already started negotiating early.”

Sibghatullah added quickly.

Sibghatullah: “She is businessman already.”

I nodded.

Tahira: “Alright, I accept.”

Ghurobah smiled proudly.

Ghurobah: “I will win.”

We did not make it complicated. It was not a serious competition, just playful learning and joy in a house that had seen too many serious days.

After everything settled, Julaybib adjusted his sitting position and cleared his throat.

Julaybib: “After Dhuhr prayer, I want us all to sit together. I have something to tell you.”

The tone changed slightly, becoming calmer and more reflective.

Sibghatullah: “Is it another challenge?”

Julaybib shook his head.

Julaybib: “No… something more important.”

I looked at him quietly, sensing that the moment was shifting again from playfulness to reflection.

Tahira: “We will listen after prayer.”

And just like that, the laughter slowly faded into calm anticipation, while the rain continued to fall gently outside, as if marking the end of one moment and the beginning of another.

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Written By: Ahmād Zāhir Enagi Abū-Khālif