"O men! Fear your Lord Who created you from a single being and out of it created its mate; and out of the two spread many men and women. Fear Allah in Whose name you plead for rights, and heed the ties of kinship. Surely, Allah is ever watchful over you." - (Quran 4:1)

~ Dang, I posted the last chapter, slept, woke up, went to work and came back with 200 notification from you guys. I hope that means you liked the last chapter XD 

Chapter 28 - The Nikah.

“Let’s do it,” I said, my excitement and spontaneity taking hold. Just as I thought we were both about to burst from happiness, Noah strolled over, with a big dorky grin on his face. I wasted no time in launching myself into his arms and he chuckled joyfully as he enveloped me into a warm hug.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” I whispered into his chest, squeezing him tight. 

“Woah, this hug though. I gotta say, I think I deserve it,” Noah commented jokingly. “And you’re welcome,” he whispered back.  

I pecked him on the cheek and smiled brightly at him before pulling away slightly, so I had a view of Zach yet remaining in his arms. “So you’re not going Sweden, right?” I asked. I just had to make sure. 

Zach shook his head and grinned. “Nope.” 

“So you guys went through all that trouble, getting a permit, faking your reason and risking us not even getting through, just for me?” When they both nodded silently, I couldn’t help but openly gape at them. My heart warmed at the effort these two went through, all so that they could make me happy and see a smile on my face. I felt so touched and once again the people in my life made me feel so special, I truly felt I didn’t deserve it.

I mentally sent a quick prayer of thanks to Allah [swt] for bestowing me with such amazing people.  

I sighed happily, then caught Zach’s admiring eyes, which he seemed to be doing a lot of in the last five minutes. I could feel a crimson blush rising to my cheeks and I attempted to hide, by looking up at Noah. I directed my words to both of them. “You guys didn’t have to go through all of this. But you did, and I want you to know that I truly appreciate it - you guys have just made me the happiest girl in all of Palestine.”  

“And I the happiest man,” Zach quickly added. He had a seriously passionate look on his face, reinforcing the words he had just uttered. Before I could say anything, Noah spoke up, uttering the words I knew Zach would be too embarrassed to say.  

“Zach here, was, and is, willing to do anything for you sis. Which is good, because if he wasn’t, then I wouldn’t have agreed to any of this.” We all laughed warmly, before falling into a comfortable silence. 

After a few minutes, I communicated with my eyes, that I wanted Zach to tell my brother what we had decided on. Understanding registered in his eyes and he gave a small nod, before facing Noah. 

“So I know this may seem a little rash, but me and Yasmine want to do our nikah…” I wanted to laugh at the little amount of nervousness in Zach’s eyes. 

“Well of course you guys will, when we get back insh -,”  

“Right now,” Zach quickly interjected, cutting him off. Noah looked slightly taken aback, although he didn’t seem completely against the idea.

“Without the family, or talk of agreements? What about witnesses?” Noah questioned. 

“Well your parents already know I want to marry her and whatever Yasmine wants for her dowry, I’ll give it. As for witnesses, you can be one on behalf of Yasmine and I have a friend who lives here, that can be mine,” Zach responded, seemingly having had it all thought out. At that moment I wanted to throw myself into his arms and stay there forever. He hadn't just told me how much he loved me, but he's showing it. If what he did today doesn't signify how much I really mean to him, how seriously he cares for me, then I don't know what will. I faintly realised that Noah was trying to catch my attention.  

“Yasmine, are you OK with this?” he asked. I could practically see the wheels turning in his head. 

I nodded my head, a large smile on my face. “I have never been so sure about anything else in my life,” I declared, catching Zach’s elated expression. “Marriage is something that shouldn’t be complicated and I don’t see why we should wait. And for my dowry, Zach already knows what I want.”

It was odd, one time, me and Zach had actually discussed this. He had asked me out of curiosity what I would want for a dowry and I told him three things: a comfortable home, memorisation of my choice of a chapter from the Qur’an and a simple date. Yes, as in the food date. I had never wanted anything overly luxurious or expensive and it definitely wasn’t the tradition of our prophet [pbuh]. 

“OK then, it’s settled. Let’s just hope mum won’t have a hissy fit when she finds out we did this without them.” I could already envision my mum’s horrified face when we told her, as well as my friends, but I had to do this today - for my own sanity and I think, for Zach’s too.  

I laughed and then stopped short. “Wait, did you say my parents already know you want to marry me?” I asked, questioning Zach. He nodded proudly. “So you spoke to them already?” 

“It was the first part of the plan actually. Obviously, if your parents didn’t agree, we wouldn’t be here,” he said, amused at my shocked expression. 

“All that acting you guys did,” I stated, shaking my head in disbelief. “Dude, you only brought one suitcase?” I mimicked in Noah’s voice. They both threw their head back and laughed, but I had to admit, I was impressed with how much effort they had both put into this plan.

“We had to play the part too,” Zach stated. I just smiled tenderly at both of them.

The sun was now starting to set and I looked at my wrist watch to check the time. Maghreb was soon and before everyone started filing into the area, we hurriedly hunted down the sheikh and informed him of our plans. He happily agreed and said he would have the papers ready after maghreb prayer and we could conduct it straight after that. I nearly squealed in excitement and if Zach was a girl, I’m sure he’d squeal too.  

I laughed at the mental image of Zach squealing. 

Suddenly, I became slightly nervous as the reality of what we would be doing soon hit. Islamically I would be married, but Zach and I wouldn’t actually live together until after we had our wedding, back home. As if sensing my nervousness, Zach gave me an assuring smile and a thumbs up. I rolled my eyes and shook my head. This guy would be the death of me.

We decided to head back to the hotel and freshen up. Since the military weren't allowing women to pray inside today, I remained at the apartment to offer my salah, whilst the boys headed back out, where they would be praying outside the mosque. A secretly delighted smile shaped my face as I spotted both of them had changed into semi-formal suits. Zach looked especially handsome in dark denim jeans with a black blazer pulled on top. Suddenly in despair, I realised I hadn’t packed anything even remotely appropriate for the occasion. Well of course, I never in a million years thought I’d be signing my marriage papers today. 

I sighed dramatically and emptied the clothes in my duffel bag all over the floor, when a piece of red fabric caught my eyes. Hmm. I pulled the item of clothing out from underneath the other clothes and gasped as my red Eid dress came into full view. I knew for a fact, I did not pack this. My best guess was that Zach told Rida or Nadia to pack it in my bag.

“Think they’re so smart, knowing I’d say yes,” I muttered, but smiled, despite myself. 

I prayed and then quickly got dressed - at this point, I was a nervous wreck as I waited around for them to come back. I sat on the couch, legs crossed, swinging one leg whilst biting my nails. I knew it was a bad habit, but it comforted me. 

When I heard the door unlock and the sound of their voices waft through, I jumped to my feet and held my breath. They walked into the living room, laughing about something or other. I swayed on my feet and attempted to calm my racing heart.  

“You ready?” Zach breathed, looking into my eyes but no where else. I loved how even up until the hour before our nikah, he was still trying to be respectful and not outright gaze at me.  

I nodded my head, a tight nervous grin on my lips, if that even made sense. Noah pocketed his phone, mentioning something about taking photos and I stayed quiet as my anxiety increased. Externally, I know I appeared calm but inside was a totally different story.  

Before I knew it, we were back at the same area, standing before the mosque. Immediate tears developed as my eyes swept over the table that had been laid out, on the exact location where we had met. Small candles were situated on the edges as well as a vase of flowers. Since it was now dark, the lights from numerous parts of the mosque added to the glow and romantic atmosphere. The sheikh was standing in between two chairs, shuffling some papers around.  

“Wow,” I heaved.  

“Wow indeed,” Noah murmured.  

“Do you like it?” Zach asked, looking a little flustered.

“I love it.” I sent Zach an approving smile, but more than that, a smile which screamed out how much I truly appreciated everything he was doing for me. I wanted him to know how much all this meant and sometimes, the eyes could express that better than words.

Maghreb ended not too long ago, so there were a few people milling around, including women and children. Some bystanders were looking at the sheikh and set up curiously and when we finally walked towards the table, I only felt the stares intensify. Blushing, I sat down on one side of the sheikh, whilst Zach sat on the other. I saw a guy run up and stop just before us, breathing heavily.  

“Sorry I’m late bro,” he puffed. I assumed this was his friend that would be acting as his witness. 

“All good Ali, you’re not late,” Zach said, getting up to quickly man hug him, a broad smile on both their faces.

“OK are we ready?” The sheikh asked, as Noah and Ali moved off a little to stand on the side. I saw Zach nod his head and I did the same.  

He smiled humbly and cleared his throat. “Before we get to the signing, I would like to say a few words, words I say to every new couple. Bismillah.” He cleared his throat a second time before speaking up.  

“Indeed, this is one of the most joyous occasions any two people will experience together throughout their lifetime. Allah [swt] states that pure men are for pure women, and pure women are for pure men. Seeing as you both are quite young, I am glad you have taken this decision to make your relationship halal. Through marriage, Allah [swt] intended to give you a partner who will love and cherish you, as well as aid you through difficulties and hardships. The goal of married life in Islam is much greater than two people just trying to live successfully together. It is to practice Islam within a set group of people, to bring about peace, love, security and happiness but ultimately to gain the pleasure of Allah [swt] as we obey him with full faith.  

Our prophet, may Allah [swt] blessings be upon him, taught that marriage was half ones faith. Indeed to some people it is more than this. My dear brother and sister, remember to remain balanced in life. Marriage does not entail we forget our other loved ones, it does not mean we cannot still accomplish our life goals nor should it distract us from our faith. Live by the sunnah of the prophet [pbuh] and you will find yourselves content. This is the best advice I can give you. And may Allah [swt] bless your marriage and make you one of the people of Jannah. Ameen.”  

I heard a chorus of ‘ameen’ and looking up, I realised quite a large group had formed around us. My eyes widened as I took in the scene before me. Since I was looking nervously into my lap throughout the sheikh’s speech, I didn’t notice people had stopped to watch. My face must have looked like a tomato now, but it warmed my heart to see my fellow sisters and brothers smiling in joy for me, as they listened intently to the sheikh. I hadn’t even realised he raised his voice to accommodate the crowd.  

As Noah and Zach repeated the needed sentences after the sheikh, my nerves were on fire as I anticipated what would follow next. The sheikh went over the details on the paper and asked both me and Zach three times if we were sure we wanted to go through with this. We both answered ‘yes’ in a stupefied daze. We signed where need be, and then Noah and Ali were called on to sign as witnesses.  

It was done.  

I was married.  

“Mabrook!” The sheikh beamed at both of us. A large whoop and cheering from the crowd ensued and I laughed delightedly. Noah came over to congratulate me with a hug.

“I’m so proud of you Yasmine.” We had our brother-sister moment and I once again thanked Allah [swt] for the amazing people he had placed in my life. He squeezed my hand before walking over to also hug Zach. Random men and children all crowded around Zach to give their praise and approval. Similarly, a bunch of women came up to me and began hugging and kissing me, followed by a few comments on my young age and apparent beauty.  

Still blushing, I tried thanking each of them individually but when they all began nudging each other and gesturing their head to something behind me, I turned around confused.  

It was someone, not something.  

Zach stood there, with his hands in his pockets, waiting for me to finish up. He looked ravingshly handsome and the fact that he was now my husband, sent my body into tremors. I suddenly became really hot with nerves and if I felt like my face was a tomato before, I don’t even want to know what I looked like right now.  

“Excuse me,” I said to the over-joyous women and turned around to face Zach. 

I walked close and stopped just a few inches from him. The light reflected off his green eyes and I knew that, no matter how many years passed, I would never get sick of staring into them.  

“Mabrook, my beautiful wife,” he uttered in a low voice, so only I could hear. 

Wife.

Woah.

Before I could respond, he positioned both his hands on the side of my head gently and brought me forward, placing a soft kiss on my forehead. I heard shouts, whistles and a few ‘awws’ from the crowd and I laughed as I launched myself fully into his arms. I absolutely could not contain this feeling anymore.

This person - he was the only one who was able to bring out this untamed, rebellious side in me and then counter it by bringing out my calm, reasonable and mature side. He was the only one who read me as if I was an open book, when in reality, I was the most complicated woman. Zach was the only one who made me feel absolutely high on life, and as I sighed and rested my head against his chest, I knew with a full heart, that I made the right decision. 

“This feels so right Zach,” I whispered.

“That’s because it is,” he murmured, securing me closer to him, if that was even possible.  

A/N 

Am I on a roll or what? 

Definitions:

Salah: Prayer

Nikah: Islamic marriage 

Sheikh: Pious/knowledgable person in Islam, equivalent to a preist  

Maghreb: Sunset prayer

Halal: Permissible 

Jannah: Heaven 

Sunnah: Traditions/way of life of the prophet [pbuh] 

Mabrook: Congratulations