the burden of sins, and my arteries were clogged
with the filth of disobedience. Now my body bears a
lighter burden but I wonder if the rusted chambers
of my heart are able to absorb your purifying
radiance.
So I close my eyes, and take your hand. Lead me
whichever way you know, and I will follow. I will
take the road that you take, I will follow the path
that you instruct me to. This path, that has no
hidden passages and no deceiving bends, only a
single exit. When I come to a cross road, I will grasp
your hand firmer so I am not lost in the oncoming
traffic.
I don’t know any other way, my beloved Shaykh.
Please don’t let me become separated from you.
Please guide me to the exit you are guided to. As
long as I am grasping your hand, I am hopeful that
we will emerge from it together.’
It seems like some time has passed. I raise my head
and look up. I must have fallen asleep. The sister is
no longer there. I notice that my Shaykh’s business
card is missing from my pile of papers. It has been
replaced by a note which reads :
‘Need to lose a few pounds for my ultimate life
check…can’t do it alone’.
Shazia Hussain is a third year student of the Nur ul Ilm
Academy. She graduated in 1998 from the University of
Warwick with a BSc Honours degree in Biological Sciences and
Virology. She lives in Coventry, UK with her husband and three
beautiful daughters.