Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

Alhassanain (p) Network for Islamic Heritage and Thought

Virtue Prevails

Author(s): Amina Bint al-Huda

Translator(s): M. N. Sultan

Publisher(s): Islamic Thought Foundation

www.alhassanain.org/english

Table of Contents

Translator’s Note 3

Foreword 4

Chapter 1 5

Chapter 2 8

Chapter 3 10

Chapter 4 12

Chapter 5 16

Chapter 6 19

Chapter 7 22

Chapter 8 24

Chapter 9 25

Chapter 10 27

Chapter 11 29

Chapter 12 30

Chapter 13 31

Chapter 14 32

Chapter 15 33

Chapter 16 34

Chapter 17 35

Chapter 18 36

Chapter 19 37

Chapter 20 39

Chapter 21 41

Chapter 22 45

Translator’s Note

The ideological conflicts caused by the world's dominating cultures have produced negative effects on the Muslim community. The alien Western ideals flooding the Islamic world have tried to uproot Islamic concepts and beliefs.

This methodical foreign invasion has greatly damaged the successive Muslim generations. The slogans of freedom, equality and justice have swept the Islamic world and distorted the Islamic culture. As a result, the Muslim Ummah is suffering today from cultural chaos and deviation, which is damaging the core of the community.

Deliberate falsehoods have been perpetrated by the enemies of Islam to degrade the sublime religion of Islam. Due to such conspiracies, Muslim women and men have forgotten their religious beliefs, duty and commitments.

Hence it is necessary to take serious steps to save the society from falling into the abyss of disbelief, which could not only crush the whole community but could also destroy the religious belief still surviving.

Such a situation has compelled the Muslim intellectuals to know their duty in saving the society. It is a very difficult task to bring the deviated generation to the right path of Allah's religion.

Hence our aim is to assist such achievements and to help Islamic concepts and values to spread throughout the world, guiding the youth to the right direction. Such a motive is behind translation and publication of Bint ul-Huda's books. The famous Iraqi woman writer presents Islamic ideals in her stories within a framework of interesting and modern circumstances. Through her characters she exposes the contradictory behavior of some Muslims.

Her stories are guiding lights for the young generation currently misled by the brightness of pseudo-civilization. Bint ul-Huda, through her heroes' logical conversations, attempts to reach young men and women and awaken their awareness. She deals with topics of particular interest to Muslim women, presenting various models, which, though imaginary, have their counterparts in present-day life. In these stories Goodness and Virtue are engaged in an everlasting struggle against Evil and Vice. We hope such efforts produce the effective result that the martyred writer, Bint ul-Huda, has aimed at.

In conclusion, we must inform our readers that we have used more familiar Islamic names instead of the Arabic names in the original stories.

Moreover, a free translation of such stories is a necessity due to the different features of both Arabic and English literature. Virtue Prevails is the third book of the martyr's works to be published by our foundation.

Foreword

Dear readers,

I am not a professional storywriter. What I present herein are but a few of the many portraits of life in which Good confronts Evil and spiritual faith and belief confront an imperialist, dominating culture.

The apex of my hope is to produce a faithful image of the ideological call for virtue to prevail over vice.

Muslim men and women live contradictory existences of contemporary life as presented in the following fiction. I have tried to pave the way for the revival of one of the propagative apparatus, the story, which influences our lives at this juncture in Islamic history.

Bint Al-Huda

Chapter 1

On the spacious balcony of a home in the capital of an Islamic country, two young women sat nearby talking. Sumayah, the resident of the house, looks younger than her twenty years. She listens to her visitor with a disapproving look on her face. Fitnah, Sumayah's cousin, has recently returned from a European country, where she and her husband had lived for several years. Having heard of Sumayah's impending marriage, Fitnah hastened to visit her, with evil intentions. She spoke about European life and the advantages of western civilization. She also relates off-color jokes, but Sumayah does not join in her laughter.

Sumayah, a polite young woman, was raised in a religious family. Her future husband, Ahmad, has completed his education and is now managing a successful business. Ahmad and Sumayah are officially engaged, and he visits her home often.

Although Sumayah does not agree with her cousin's way of thinking, she doesn't want to insult her as a guest, who is saying, “The best place for your honeymoon is Europe.”

“Europe!” replied Sumayah, “We won't go to any European country. We may visit another Islamic country.”

Fitnah laughed and said, “Perhaps you intend to spend your honeymoon performing your pilgrimage in Mecca!”

Sumayah ignored her sarcasm, “No, we have decided to perform our hajj at a later time.”

“Why don't you suggest to Ahmad that you visit Paris or London? Can't he afford it?”

“Oh, he can afford it, but neither one of us like the idea of spending our honeymoon in Europe.”

Fitnah asked, “Is he afraid to travel by air? Then he can travel by car or by ship. By the way, has he a car?”

“Yes, he has. And he has never been afraid of flying! But in fact, he is a good Muslim and does not want to have his honeymoon in Europe.”

Fitnah exclaimed, “Oh, this is terrible! Is he a reactionary?”

“Absolutely not, He is a very enlightened and educated person”, Sumayah replied.

“Is he a very religious man?” Fitnah asked.

Sumayah smiled, “Thank God, he is!”

“Oh, what a pity! You do not know what it means for a modern girl to marry a religious man! You don't know of the limits, chains and strict instructions that he will impose upon you.”

Sumayah replied, “I am quite sure that you exaggerate. I am a Muslim believer and I know Islam has its own morals and value system.”

Fitnah continued, “These so-called morals are nothing other than chains and rules; an abyss in which you will be kept away from society. You are at the threshold of life; don't allow reactionary ideas to disturb your happy future!”

“You are mistaken. There is nothing reactionary in religion. Ahmad is sure to make me happy. He is everything to me and I love him very much.”

Fitnah told her, “Yet, you won't be everything to him. You will be just like any other thing in his life.”

“Oh, no, I am aware of my status in his heart.”

“Well, as long as you are engaged, he will display all his love and passion. But when you live together, you will find out what a Muslim man is really like!”

Losing patience, Sumayah asked, “Am I not a Muslim also?”

“Yes, you are a Muslim girl, but not of Ahmad's type! My point of view is that the woman should have complete freedom to enjoy all of life's pleasures. Ahmad will only control yours, as if you were his slave.”

“This is strange,” Sumayah commented. “Why do you hate and misrepresent Islam, although you are a Muslim woman? Has Europe corrupted you?”

Fitnah answered, “Oh, no. My affection for you has prompted me to speak frankly. Though I was happy when I heard the news of your engagement, I also felt sorrow, since I wished a better future for you.”

“How can you be so sure that I won't have a good life?” Sumayah asked.

Fitnah said, “If your husband is of those few who boast of Islam and its ethics, he will never make you happy.”

“What do you mean by 'few'? Can't you see there are millions of believers everywhere?”

“I mean those who have only recently adopted hollow ideals, which they use to dominate woman and control her by imposing limits and barriers on her under the cover of Islam.”

“But a Muslim man also has limits”, Sumayah replied.

“Well, they are free to do what they like. Hasn't Ahmad been to Europe several times?”

“He is going to Paris soon, as a matter of fact, in order to forward his thesis for his doctorate and to sign some business contracts.”

“Then he has the right to go, but you have not! Can't you see? He is free to go wherever he wishes. As for you, Islamic limits hold you back.”

“I don't agree with you. Ahmad and I share the same ideas. I am satisfied with Islamic limits.”

“I am afraid you will wake up suddenly one day and it will be too late!” Fitnah predicted gloomily.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean to say that marriage won't be successful unless it is founded on progressive norms. A modern girl won't have a good marriage unless she is released from family pressure and is free to choose the man she wants to marry.”

Sumayah said, “Family ties, which you call pressure, are for the benefit of the whole family. In any case, I have been free to choose Ahmad.”

Fitnah then said, “You will be faithful to him, I'm sure. But men are unlike women. They cheat their wives by various methods. They exploit women by referring to religious instructions, which imprison women in their homes.”

“Why do you consider a woman's own home to be a prison?” Sumayah asked.

Fitnah replied, “A woman cannot keep her eyes on her man unless she accompanies him on his trips and parties! A woman who sits in her house and leaves her husband free to enjoy himself cannot have a happy life.”

“Oh, you don't know what a wonderful man Ahmad is. I wish you knew him.”

Fitnah remained silent for a moment and, trying to sound normal, said, “I have never seen him.”

“When you meet him, you will change your ideas about Muslim believers.”

Fitnah suddenly stood up and said, “I must leave now. I am going to a party tonight.”

Sumayah was surprised by her cousin's abrupt departure. She walked with her to the door and then returned to her mother, who asked, “Why have you been sitting on the balcony all alone?”

“I was not alone,” Sumayah told her, “Fitnah has just left.”

“What has she told you? I am sure she speaks about nothing but Europe and western so-called civilization.”

“You are quite right, mama!”

“Woe to her! Has not it been enough for her to spoil her own nature? Can she not stop herself from pouring her poisonous words into your ears? She is afraid of talking in my presence; that is why she preferred to sit on the balcony! She is Satan himself.”

Sumayah said, “Oh, mama! She is your niece. You shouldn't talk about her like that!”

“I don't like her manners and her deviated behaviour.” Sumayah's mother told her. “She has caused her mother's death. My sister never condoned her daughter's bad behavior. Now tell me, what did she say to you?”

“Mother dear, forget it. She never has ill intentions.”

“I wish you knew her real character so that you would not be tempted to listen to her.”

“Oh mama, take it easy. I never agree with her ideas, but I do not agree with you in calling her a Satan. She is my cousin.”

Sumayah went to her own room, trying to forget Fitnah’s words. She was sure of Ahmad's love and that he was an excellent person. She knew that her cousin was unhappy, and that all she had gotten out of life was an unemployed husband who was good for nothing. Due to a substantial inheritance, he is free to spend much on his pleasures without the least consideration of Allah's bounties in regard to gratitude and good works. Her cousin thinks of nothing but money. In fact, she lives for the sake of money. Sumayah decided to ask Ahmad about woman's status in Islam and his own viewpoint. She knew that he would no doubt explain everything to her and elaborate on the differences between the roles of men and women.

Chapter 2

Fitnah got into her car and drove away quickly, as if she wanted to escape. She arrived at her house, parked the car and walked directly to her room without greeting her husband, although she knew he was at home. She sat down on a chair and murmured, 'Woe to her! How stubborn she is. Was it not enough for him to treat me so cruelly that he has proposed to my cousin and renewed my pain? He thinks Sumayah matches his ideals and morals, while she is only making a show of being virtuous. Years ago, I tried to make him love me, but he never cared for me. He said I was a fool and a deviated person. He will soon know that Sumayah is no better than I am. I know how to draw her to this corrupted life of mine.

'I married this playboy in order to get his wealth and enjoy life. I must tolerate living with him for the sake of his riches. Oh, I will deprive Sumayah of Ahmad as he deprived me of himself. I won't allow him to fulfill his dream of marrying a committed Muslim girl. I'll show him this is impossible and that Sumayah is just like me. Now Ahmad is getting his doctorate while my husband, Hamid, has not even managed to get any degree. I'll never let Sumayah get such a husband as Ahmad. I know he is bright, clever and has strong belief, yet he is also stubborn, reactionary and full of vanity.'

At that moment, the door opened and Hamid entered. A smile was on his face as he said, “I thought you were sick. May I enter?”

Fitnah tried to appear normal as she told him; “I have a headache, that is why I did not join you in the living room.”

Hamid said, “You look quite well! Does it make you sick to see me?”

“Oh, Hamid, do not make me nervous. I didn't know you were at home!” she lied.

“But didn't you see my car? You are absent-minded today.”

Fitnah said, “I told you, I have a headache! Please leave me alone now. Do not make me angry.”

“Alas I am nothing but one of your many lovers and.” he began.

“Oh, stop it. I know what you are going to say, so don't repeat it.”

Hamid said, “You don't want to hear it! You are lucky to have a husband like me, otherwise you are good for no one.”

“What about you?” Fitnah asked. “Could any other woman tolerate life with you? You talk about me, but you forget all about yourself.”

“Am I so bad?” Hamid asked her.

Fitnah replied, “You should know. Had I not been a good wife, I would not have lived one day with you. There is nothing to benefit me in living with you!”

“Then why did you marry me? Why did you attract me to yourself?”

“Oh, what a rascal you are!” Fitnah exclaimed.

Hamid said, “Never mind! I know what attracted you to me! It is my wealth, which you adore. And you have beauty, which I love. I like to live free of limits and you do also, hence we match each other.”

“Have you finished?” Fitnah sighed.

“No, I have not seen you for ages. At night you attend parties and during the day you visit friends and shops. You forget you have a house and a husband! Why don't we have a child?”

Fitnah became impatient and cried, “Please leave me alone. I am sick and tired. I must sleep!”

“Then you won't even have lunch with me?”

“No, go away”, she said.

Hamid asked, “What if I go and never return to you?”

Fitnah was about to say: Go, I don't care, but she controlled her feelings. He is her golden goose! Can she give him up? She does not love him. She despises him and thinks of him as being a worthless creature, but for his wealth; even his indecency is nothing to her. In fact, she has encouraged him to adopt her loose way of living so that she can live free of restrictions.

His great wealth, luxurious house and magnificent car are too precious for her to risk losing.

She smiled and said quietly “You know dear, life is dull without you, but I have this headache. Otherwise, I would have been happy to join you.”

“I wish you were not so beautiful. Then you would see how I could treat you and make you feel less proud! Surely, you now think, 'I wish you were not so rich'. Had I been poor, I would not have been your prey!”

“Oh, Hamid, you do me an injustice by these words. I love no one but you.”

“Thanks a lot. Yet you insist on turning me out.”

“I always love to have you near me, but now I need to rest.”

“This is your usual way,” Hamid said, leaving the room. “Sweet words but stingy deeds. I am leaving you, so be at ease.”

He left the room, displeased. Fitnah imagined for a moment that she might lose him, but she dismissed such an idea, since she was sure of her own beauty.

She said to herself, 'Oh, it is nothing important. As soon as I smile at him, he will come quickly. Now I must think about Ahmad, who never cared for my beauty and called me a foolish, deviated girl.'

She lay on her bed, thinking of only one thing: revenge on Ahmad and his belief, which blocked her way to his heart. No, she must engineer a revenge through her cousin. She is determined to do her best to spoil this marriage, and lay thinking of the best way to achieve her aim.

Chapter 3

Sumayah was anxious to meet Ahmad to ask him about women's status in Islam. He usually called on her every day on his way home from work. That afternoon, she welcomed him with a lovely smile. He felt that she had something to say, so he encouraged her to speak her mind. She asked him if he was ready to listen to her.

Ahmad told her, “By all means, I always like listening to you.”

“I would like to know the difference in rights between a male and a female in Islam.”

“There is no difference”, Ahmad replied. “They have equal rights. They are both created of the same clay.”

“Why, then, are limits imposed on women rather than on men?” Sumayah asked him.

“No limits are imposed on women except that which is necessary in regard to their nature and biological structure. Islam does not put woman under any kind of pressure.”

Sumayah persisted, “Doesn't hijab hinder her from enjoying life as she likes? Is it due to my hijab that I cannot travel with you to Europe?”

“Oh no, hijab cannot prevent woman from doing anything. I would take you with me to Europe, if it were a healthy, decent society. I oppose Muslim girls' travel to Europe for fear that they may become deviated. If it were a useful journey, I would surely take you with me.”

Sumayah asked, “Don't you think that seeing western civilization can be useful?”

Ahmad said, “This is exactly the point which is the source of much trouble. We Muslims should not think that civilization is a western phenomena. In fact, if the matter is explored deeply, you will see that it is Islamic civilization that has brought to Europe its present scientific progress. European so-called civilization is nothing but an expression of the jahillia (Pre-Islamic Age of Ignorance), with regard to European women.”

Sumayah then asked, “Well, does not the European woman have her rights in full, the same as man?”

Ahmad disagreed, “Absolutely not. Through recent European laws, the European woman has gained only a part of woman's rights that are already granted by Islamic laws. The European woman has lost her feminism. She has become a mere commodity and is a tool manipulated by men. Islam has granted woman her independent identity. She is free to handle her own financial affairs and personal life. European women have been trapped by the false, bright colours of life expoused by the so-called liberation of woman. Freedom is just a cover with which man hides his own exploitation of woman at all levels. Believe me, my dear, if Europe was a good place, I would encourage you to go.”

“I am quite aware of this. I only wanted sound evidence to answer anyone who doubts our Islamic morals and beliefs,” Sumayah replied.

Ahmad said, “You won't find a better, happier life except in Islam and when Islamic instructions are respected and applied. I wish you really knew about the great misery that engulfs families deviated from Islamic norms. A marriage based on Islamic foundations will be quite successful. Our future life will certainly be happy.”

Sumayah smiled and said, “I know you will do your best to ensure such a happy life. By the way, have you decided when you will begin your trip?”

Ahmad said, “I am on my way to settle that. It is a matter of a few days. Then we will be able to plan living together in our own home when I return.”

At this point, he said good-bye to Sumayah and left to his home. He promised to return later for further discussion.

Sumayah was sure of her Islamic belief; she just wanted to know the best answers to all the questions raised by her cousin and others.

On his way home, Ahmad thought about his fiancée. He was sad that some deviated girls were trying to confuse her thinking. He decided to explain any matters that were unclear for her. Above all, he wanted her to be in thorough harmony with him in his beliefs and ideals. What caused him to seek her hand in marriage was her good conduct and strong personality. Ahmad recalled an old incident when an unreligious girl used many tricks to try to tempt him and trap him. He wondered what had become of her. He couldn't even remember her name. He is quite happy with the choice he made in his future wife.

Chapter 4

A week passed by and Sumayah was about to forget everything her cousin Fitnah had said. She was quite happy and a bit anxious about her fiancé’s trip. One day, as Sumayah stood waiting for a bus to go to her tailor, her cousin pulled up, stopped her car and offered her a ride. She got in and sat next to her cousin, who usually drove her own car.

Fitnah said, “I thought you said Ahmad has a car!”

“Yes, he has,” Sumayah replied, “He is out of town on some business.”

“One day I will come to know him, though I do somehow fear him,” Fitnah said.

“You are mistaken. He is a kind and polite person.”

“But you say he is strict.”

Sumayah protested, “No, I never said that. He is very reasonable.”

Fitnah told her cousin, “Perhaps to you he seems to be like that. He has managed to make you agree with all of his ideas.”

“I do not agree with you! He never imposes his beliefs on me, but I do share these beliefs with him.”

“Then you are truly happy?”

“We are”, Sumayah stated.

Fitnah drove in silence for a moment and then said, “By the way, are you ever going to learn how to drive?”

“No, it's not necessary. Ahmad can take me anywhere I wish to go.”

“Of course!” Fitnah exclaimed. “He won't allow you to drive a car. This is a good way for him to know where you go. As for you, you cannot follow him, since you are a Muslim believer.”

Sumayah asked, “Why should I follow him? Do you think I should sit next to him at his office? I'm not suspicious!”

“What about his parties and trips?”

“Women have their own parties and meetings.” Sumayah answered. “In any case, Ahmad does not attend parties of either sexes or night clubs.”

Fitnah said, “You are being misled. All men are of one of two categories: some are nice and peaceful. They share all social activities with their wives. On the other hand, some are strict and prone to exploit their simple-minded wives and keep them at home.”

Sumayah disagreed, “Well, I think a good man is a man who shares his ideals and beliefs with his wife.”

“What a strange idea!” her cousin retorted.

“It is not. I have always believed this.”

Fitnah continued, “Well, this was your idea when you were a child. Now that you are at the threshold of adulthood, you should have new ideas.”

“No, I do not agree with your viewpoint.”

“I am quite surprised at your behavior. I do not know how to keep you from destroying your future with such reactionary beliefs. You are an educated girl, yet you stick to these limits on the pretext of being a Muslim. We are all Muslims. Do you think these millions are wrong and only Ahmad is right? Think of yourself. By giving in to Ahmad, you are going to lose much.”

Sumayah told her, “My submission is to Allah only. I have my own belief and I am quite happy with Ahmad and my future.”

Fitnah asked her cousin, “Can you really be satisfied with this isolated, worthless life?”

Sumayah replied, “It is neither isolated nor worthless! It is what I long for and it is filled with pleasures!”

Fitnah argued, “You still don't know what real pleasure is. You are unaware of life, although you are over twenty years old. Ahmad has managed to mislead you.”

“I am quite aware of life and of my right course in it. Anyway, I have never been interested in this corrupted social life of yours. My own girlfriends are all committed Muslims. I am neither ignorant, nor in need of your advice.”

“Oh, I am very sorry. I didn't mean to anger you. I do not know why you are upset.”

“I am not angry. But I do not like your words!”

Fitnah pretended to feel hurt, “I have alienated you. I feel like I am your older sister, and I am very concerned about your future. I am sure if I introduce you to my friends you will like them all and have great times. Now I have lost all hope. I have spoken frankly to you, and I apologize for this frankness.”

Sumayah didn't want her cousin to be hurt, so she said, “That's okay. Please stop. The tailor's shop is right here.”

“Sumayah, do you want me to wait for you?”

“No, thank you. I can manage by myself”, she replied.

“How can I let you return by bus? I'll pick you here in an hour”, Fitnah told her.

Sumayah didn't answer her. She just got out of the car, thanked her cousin for the ride and waved good-bye.

Sumayah left the shop when her work was finished, without waiting for her cousin.

That afternoon, Fitnah visited her to apologize for being unable to take her back.

Sumayah told her that she didn't wait for her. Then Fitnah told her cousin about the party of the previous night and how the singers sang until daybreak. She spoke about films and western film stars, and mentioned the hunting parties that she often attended with her friends. She did not forget to also talk about swimming and the beautiful swimming pools she frequented.

Finally Sumayah asked, “What about your husband? Why don't you mention him? Has he no place in your heart?”

Fitnah was vexed, but tried to sound calm. She thought the question was a challenge. Her husband's personality is the Achille's heel of her life.

She forced a smile and said, “I am an independent wife. My life is not mixed up with his. I accompany him only to special parties. We both believe in our rights to live free.”

“How strange it sounds to me!” Sumayah remarked. “You always say that a woman should follow her husband anywhere he goes. Now you say you are free and have the right to do as you like.”

Fitnah told her, “You misunderstand me. I mean to say that I accompany him on some occasions, but I do not allow him to follow me anywhere I go. I am sure of myself, but I doubt my husband. A smart woman should never believe her husband and should never allow him to play his own way.”

“Do you love your husband?”

Fitnah hesitated and said, “Of course I do. He is a wonderful man. I will introduce him to you. We may visit you soon.”

Sumayah shook her head, “I am sorry, but I won't meet him unless Ahmad is present.”

“Oh, Ahmad again! I see he is an obstacle in your way.”

Sumayah said, “Please be careful with what you say. He is to be my husband and I love him. I won't allow you to undermine his character.”

“Had I been here before your engagement, I would have prevented it” Fitnah declared.

Surprised, Sumayah said, “You don't have the right to deprive me of a happy life!”

Fitnah told her, “You are being silly. How could you agree to such an engagement without knowing him first?”

“It makes no difference; I came to know him soon after our engagement. I am neither silly nor was he imposed on me. I have free will and I am sure I won't regret my choice in the future. You believe a couple should enjoy close friendship before engagement. Yet a boy or a girl can deceive each other. Things usually are uncovered in the long run during marriage.”

“You are wrong. Society does not consider matters as you do. You are the only one with such old-fashioned ideas,” Fitnah said.

“By society, you mean your own friends. As for me, I do not believe you. There are many like me.”

“I have not seen any of them”, her cousin retorted.

Sumayah continued, “Of course you cannot see things my way. Your way of living has blinded you and you won't believe what you see or hear! Just like those who live in utter darkness.”

Fitnah said sarcastically, “Go on! I enjoy your fanatic ideas. You lack nothing but a sanctuary, where you can pray and recite sermons day and night!”

“You are wrong. It makes no difference to me, whatever you say!”

“What a pity! you just repeat the words of ancient times. How quickly you have lost your liveliness. I feel sorry for you. How often I have told Hamid that you are a very beautiful girl. He is eager to meet you. Alas! You speak of nothing but advice and wise sayings.”

Sumayah disagreed, “I speak of life without its false, decorative mask.”

Fitnah then said, “Ahmad is clever to have taught you all this.”

“Don't talk about him like that. I wish you knew him so you could know his real nature.”

At these words, Fitnah became pale and said weakly, “Of course, one day I will meet him, but not now.”

“Why not? I am sure that upon seeing him you will change your mind and you will admire him very much.”

“I do not like men of his type, whoever it might be.”

Sumayah pointed to a photograph on a table and said, “Here is his picture.”

Fitnah did not want to look, for fear that her feelings would betray her. She no longer loved him. Her love had changed into hatred and devilish intention. She avoided looking at the picture.

“Please look at him. Can such a man deserve your unjust attacks?”

Fitnah had no other choice but to look at the photograph. She turned her head quickly, saying, “Perhaps I have seen him once or twice at night clubs.”

Sumayah angrily said, “I do not believe you, Fitnah. I love and respect Ahmad. I am proud of him.”

“Being a wife myself, I do appreciate a happy marriage. I hope you will have everlasting happiness.”

After an awkward moment of silence, Fitnah left and Sumayah joined her parents in having dinner. She felt uneasy and longed for Ahmad's imminent return. She wished Fitnah was not her cousin, in which case she would treat her quite differently. She wished she could reform her cousin, but she was at a loss as to how to do so.

Chapter 5

Fitnah felt quite worn out as she entered her room and thought over what had passed between her and her cousin. She was afraid that Sumayah noticed her hesitation and saw the confusion on her face when she glanced at Ahmad's picture. She stretched out on her bed and released the reins of her thoughts. She realized the risk of visiting Sumayah's house. What if Ahmad had seen her there? Her designs would have been in vain.

Fitnah decided it was best to remain on friendly terms with Sumayah in order to carry out her revenge. Her aim was to spoil her cousin's future. Fitnah was well aware of her own corrupted conduct, therefore, she wanted to drag Sumayah into the same swamp. That night, she slept fitfully.

The next morning, Fitnah bathed, dressed and called Nadia, her maid. Nadia, a young, pretty girl in her twenties, entered her mistress's room and greeted her.

Fitnah cast a long look at her, then asked: “Has anyone phoned me?”

Nadia replied, “The master is at home. He answers all calls.”

Then Fitnah asked, “What about yesterday afternoon when I was out?”

“He was at home at that time as well.”

“Was he at home last night?”

Her maid answered, “Yes. He did not leave his room.”

“Is he sick?” Fitnah inquired.

Nadia told her, “I don't know.”

“Has anyone visited him?”

“Not that I know of. In any case, I am not a spy, paid to keep an eye on him!”

“Have I asked you to do such a thing? Get out, you impudent girl!”

Nadia turned to leave the room, but Fitnah told her to stop.

“Look, Nadia”, she said, “I don't like your make-up and how your hair is done. One would think you are on your way out to a party. Wear a simple hair-style and do not use heavy make-up.”

“But why, my lady? Am I not free to dress, as I like?”

Fitnah replied, “Well, have you ever seen anyone with such make-up and hair at such an early hour of the day?”

Nadia answered, “You, my lady, usually do such a thing.”

“I am a married woman and society expects me to dress so. In any case, what business is it of yours? You are only a servant, and I can dismiss you any time I please.”

Nadia replied, “Can you really?”

“Yes, I can!”

“Why don't you do it now?”

Fitnah looked sharply at her, “You make me angry. That's enough nonsense and impoliteness. Go, I cannot tolerate seeing you!”

“It makes no difference to me,” Nadia shrugged, leaving the room.

Fitnah was quite upset. She controlled the urge to slap Nadia in the face. She knew Nadia was quite aware of all her secrets, so she thought it best to control her feelings.

Fitnah told herself, 'What a poisonous serpent she is! She blackmails me with what she knows about me. I am a coward! Why should I fear her? What can she say?

Men and women have the same rights. Why should I fear a scandal? Everyone around me lives scandalous lives. Yet I do fear one thing, my husband, Hamid, who is unaware of the extent of my mischief. He is the only source I have of wealth and riches... Money dominates everything and can overcome all obstacles. Hence, I must tolerate Nadia's devilish challenge. I know what her looks mean. Hamid stays at home for her own sake! I

should have fired her long ago, before it became too late. Anyway, she is my maid and it is my own mistake. I should go to Hamid's room.'

Fitnah put on an expensive silk robe and entered her husband's room without knocking on the door, in order to catch him by surprise. She found him relaxing in a comfortable chair. Soft music was playing.

“Oh, what a surprise to see you! I thought you were ill”, Fitnah exclaimed.

Smiling.

Hamid asked, “What makes you think so? I am quite well.”

“But you have not left the house for two days. This is not like you.”

“How can you say that? You are always the first to leave and the last to come home,” Hamid told his wife.

Fitnah then asked, “Is it possible that you spend all the time in the house?”

Hamid replied, “Well, nights are enough for me!”

“Oh, Hamid, you irritate me by your indifference!”

“Do I? Anyway, lately I have found that I prefer to stay at home.”

“How do you spend your time?”

“Reading books and listening to the news.”

Fitnah laughed, “That is wonderful! Since when do you read books and listen to the news?”

“Oh, you do me a great wrong. Am I so stupid and uninformed?”

“Now, be frank and tell me why you are really staying at home more often than usual.”

“I told you, I have always done that.”

“But why?”

Hamid said, “I have some important matters to take care of here.”

Fitnah said, “Now, speak out; do not make me nervous. What are these important matters?”

Hamid asked, “Why should you be upset about them?”

Fitnah replied, “Of course, I know what you are talking about, but I want you be honest with me.”

“Have you been frank with me? “Hamid asked his wife. “When I recently asked you to come on a trip with me, did you give a good reason for declining to accompany me?”

Fitnah paced back and forth, “So, you are trying to get back at me.”

“Does your behavior call for revenge? You know me quite well, I am free to have my own way. Keep in mind, this is my house!”

Getting to the point, Fitnah said, “But Nadia is my own maid!”

“Yet I pay her salary and I am her master.”

“Well, I can send her away whenever I like”, she told him.

Hamid stated, “You won't do it!”

“What do you mean?”

Hamid, “I mean, we should not quarrel. Let us have a truce!”

“Why are you bargaining?” Fitnah asked.

“Call it whatever you like.”

Fitnah said, “Oh, you get on my nerves!”

“What about mine? Am I made of stone? Have I no feelings?”

“Your nerves are made of iron,” Fitnah told him.

“But you can crush iron”

“Really, am I such a strong person? Then we are equal.”

Hamid disagreed, “Oh, no, you are ahead of me.”

“I am proud of that!” Fitnah smiled.

Hamid said, “Then enjoy your pride. Now what good fortune has sent you to my room? I don't believe love has brought you here. You have not entered my room for ages. Surely you are in need of money.”

“You don't want to see me!” Fitnah pouted.

“Oh, no, I always long for a visit from you. Be sure of that. My love for you has taught me patience. To speak honestly, I am quite miserable with your love. But there is no way out; I do love you.”

Fitnah tried to respond to his words although she despised him and felt no love for him. She wanted to dominate him for the sake of his wealth. She even felt no humiliation knowing that her maid was her husband's mistress. The false civilization she lived in had stripped her of all dignity and female pride. All she cared for was money, so she smiled and spoke passionately to her husband.

Fitnah moved close to her husband and whispered, “Oh, Hamid, you have no idea how much I love you. But believe me, it is life's concerns that keep me away from you.” Her sweet words made Hamid forget her indecent conduct, his girl friends and his mistress, Nadia.

“I am your slave. I can’t live without you”, Hamid assured her.

Fitnah found it hard to exchange words of love with him, but for the sake of money she carried on the role of a loving wife.