Anas: well… where do I start from? Hmmm let me think… first of all.. you did nothing wrong and all you listed arnt my reasons. When we say a woman is submissive, religious, a great mother to our kids, kind, amazing, a great cook, sexy woman… that’s who you are. You have what a man needs. You blessed me with more than I could ever imagine. Ever since I married you, I have never lacked anything. You are behind my wealth but that’s not the topic of today. (takes a few seconds, his voice softening as he continues) I love you… and I will forever love you even after my death… and I will always bless the day I met you.
Haneefah: (cuts in emotionally, her voice trembling despite her effort to stay composed) but why do you want to take a second wife when you are happy with me?
Anas: that’s where you should have looked at the bright side… the real sunnah of practicing polygamy is an act of ibadah and what I am about to do is an act of ibadah. Well, the black people’s mindset is that until the first wife did something wrong or the husband has no feelings for her anymore, then he should marry another wife as a torture to her… if only they knew the consequences of their actions. That’s the same mistake my brother made but may Allah forgive us all. Even the Prophet Muhammad sallahu alayhi wasaalam married those women as an act of ibadah… the one he loved the most was Aishah rodiallahu anha. Like those widows that needed to be catered for and well taken care of. He didn’t sleep with them, but he married them as an act of ibadah. Marrying more than one wife, in my opinion, should be that way. We should consider those widows and divorcees out there being rejected by other men. I guess that’s where polygamy comes in. The fresh flowers should be left for the fresh men and we focus on the right thing. But no, Muslim men with low IQ feed your minds with fear and hatred anytime you hear second wife.
Haneefah: (stays calm, though her fingers tighten against her dress, bracing herself) so who is she? A widow or a single mother?
Anas: actually this case is different, she is neither a widow nor a divorcee nor a single mother.
Haneefah: (lowers her gaze, her chest tightening) so she is a fresh flower…
Anas: (takes a deep breath, steadying himself) hear me out.. okay? Open your heart and head to listen to what I am about to say, not just your emotions. Okay? ……… This lady we are talking about is an independent woman, a religious woman, very successful but age is not by her side anymore and every suitor was either after her wealth or just wanted to play with her feelings. She is 38 years old. How did we meet? She was my junior in secondary school and we accidentally met a few months ago. We were so happy to see each other again… that’s when her pain was unveiled. But trust me when I say she doesn’t want to compete with you or anyone because I want to marry her. I am doing mine as an act of ibadah. And what amazed me was that she just wants one child and she is good. She won’t ever bother him for anything nor bother her senior wife. In fact, in our discussion she said she doesn’t want to live under the same roof with you because she has her own mini mansion. She said she doesn’t want a full marriage that won’t allow her to focus on her career. She just wants to have that marriage identity and bear one child as her next generation. Now think of this… I never wanted this neither did I imagine I could be having this second wife conversation with you right now. This is qadar. But if you still say no then I will reject her.
Haneefah: (lowers her head, her voice barely above a whisper) so like this you are having a second wife?
Anas: so after all my explanation this is all that matters to your head? Wait self… where is your emaan? You are a religious woman who understands her religion well. So what happened? Did I hurt you in any way? Haven’t I been a good husband enough? Ensured you lacked nothing? And I just needed one favor from you, to accept her and love her for the sake of Allah, and this is all you have to say? You just want to have everything to yourself and you alone? I told you that was not in my agenda but I have no idea how we got here. It is part of my destiny. If you are against, just say your mind. I have been patient enough. I can’t believe your emaan has gotten so weak that I even wonder if you were religious in the first place. You are weak. For what you just said then I will marry her. Do your worst. And if you are not pleased with it, if you wish to leave then leave but not with my children because a home is peaceful and you chose this for yourself. See (gets up angrily, his voice rising, hurt mixed with frustration) the high position I put you in my life. Don’t vex me that I drop you. What sort of nonsense is this? I am out of here (about to leave).
Haneefah: (breaks down in tears as the weight of his words crashes over her, her pride dissolving instantly) I am so sorry… I am really sorry. I didn’t know what came over me. You are right and I should have heard you out and supported your decision. But I let shayton feed my heart with false thoughts. Now I am promising you that I will accept her with all my might, love her for the sake of Allah and never use that to change toward you or anyone else. I think I have come to my senses now. I am really sorry. I let my emotions get over me. You never for once hurt me or made me question my marriage and instead of supporting your decisions because you will never lead me astray… I… I… (sobbing uncontrollably, struggling to finish her words).
Anas: (finally calms down, turns around and pulls her into a tight embrace, holding her as if anchoring her back to him) it okay… I got you… (kisses her neck gently, his voice soft and reassuring) I love you so much and I promise you she will never hurt you and you will forever have my respect for agreeing to love her. This duniyah is temporary. The least we can do is help our brothers and sisters in deen. And I promise you when you finally see her, you will love her as well. So stop crying okay? Everything will be fine.
Haneefah: (clings to him, still trembling) I am sorry… so so sorry.
______________
Haneefah’s POV
Everything finally feels right after so much mental turmoil. He was right. Allah brought polygamy as a solution, not as a problem. Muslim brothers twisted it and turned it into a pleasure obsession. Now it all makes sense. I never thought of it that way. Every practice of sunnah should be an act of ibadah and not just pleasure or something you find comfort in.
I could never stop learning one or two things anytime he opened that golden mouth of his. He is my scholar and I fell in love with him even harder. Yaa Allah please don’t take him away from me yet because it is going to shatter me completely. Alhamdulillah for every trial.
Now I await my new co-wife… my rich independent co wife… now it sounds exclusive.
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A WEEK LATER (FRIDAY MORNING 8:54AM)
PARKING LOTH
Jamiu: (opens his car, dusting the mat) Kai… this car needs to be replaced… it has served me well.
Junaid: (moves toward his car) Ahhhh! Baba Ibeji! Is that you?
Jamiu: (rolls his eyes)
Junaid: Oh! No response… anyways, good morning and Jumaat Mubarak… love your style. Who is your tailor?
Jamiu: Please, go away.
Junaid: You know… you’ve been getting fresh lately… show us the way now.
Anas: (also comes out, heading to his car) As-salaam alaykum, men of the house.
Jamiu: Good morning, sir… how was your night, my guy?
Junaid: Hmmmm, my alfa to sure… I love your jalabia oo… royal blue, damn!
Anas: (shakes head as he opens his car) You can never change.
Junaid: (comes out, looking miserable) Where is my car self? Ehh! Gate man!!!
Gate man: (runs to him) Yes sir… good morning, sir. (bows)
Junaid: Morning! Where is my car?
Gate man: Uhmmm… you came down from the bike yesterday, sir… you didn’t come home with it.
Junaid: Oh! (touches his forehead) Can’t believe I forgot it at the mechanic… uhmmm.
Jamiu: You didn’t see us, right?
Junaid: Obviously he can’t see… he looks miserable already.
Jamil: Please, who should I come with to drop me off at my office?
Junaid: Not me…
Jamiu: Uhmmm, I should have helped but I won’t pass there.
Jamil: So none of you can?
Anas: Please, get in jare… they are just teasing you. So, have you sorted things out with your wife yet?
Junaid: That reminds me… I heard she used kayanmata on you! (bursts into laughter)
Jamiu: (chuckles silently) So… how are you feeling, man?
Jamil: Please, I don’t have time for this. (enters Anas’s car) Let’s go, Mr. Man.
Anas: That also reminds me… why didn’t you inform us earlier? I am getting married to my second wife next week, and it’s a mini-nikkah in the living room… you are not invited. (slips into his car)
Junaid: (chuckles) Yeah… (suddenly pauses, processing what he just heard)
Junaid, Jamiu, and Jamil: (come out of the car at once, in shock) What? What did you say?
Jamiu: Second wife?
Jamil: Nikkah?
Anas: See yah. (starts the car and drives out)
Two days later (Saturday noon)
Haneefah: (drags Muhammed to the restroom) Oya, sit!
Muhammed: Ummi… (crying)
Haneefah: (lowers her voice) Sorry, my baby… oya, sit down.
Muhammed: (obeys)
Haneefah: I’m coming, okay? (heads out) Khalid!!!
Khalid: (comes out of his room) Ma?
Haneefah: I thought you said you wanted to popo?
Khalid: Yes… (holding his iPad)
Haneefah: Drop it now!
Khalid: One minute… (swiping through the phone)
Haneefah: Khalid!
Khalid: (puts it down and stands in front of the restroom) Allahuma ini a’uzubika, minakubsi walkabais. (enters)
Haneefah: Wash your brother’s buttocks when he is done… I’m heading out.
Khalid: (responds with a sound) Hmmmm.
Haneefah: (hears a knock) Who is it?
Aishat: We are the ones, Ummu Khalid… can we come in?
Haneefah: (thinking) We? What could they be here for? (opens the door) I was about leaving their room anyway… I hope there is no problem.
Maryam: So… there won’t be Nani? We heard a rumor lately and we thought to ask you directly.
Haneefah: (predicts the question, stays calm) What could that be? (closes the door)
Aishat: Your husband is getting married to another wife next week… is it true?
Haneefah: (smirks) Yes, that’s true.
Maryam and Aishat: (glance at each other, shocked) So it’s true…
Aishat: But why? What happened? I never thought your husband could do such a thing to you… I thought he was different from his brothers.
Maryam: You must be exhausted… and heartbroken… aww, we are so sorry, Ummu Khalid. We truly feel for you… this must be really hard.
Haneefah: What do you mean?
Maryam: We all know men only have a second wife when they are tired of the old one.
Haneefah: Is that why you used kayanmata on your husband?
Aishat: (almost bursts into laughter but composes herself) Hmmm, hmmmm… that’s deep.
Maryam: What was that supposed to mean? (mood changes)
Haneefah: Oh! Please don’t get me wrong… you said yourself that men only look for another wife when they are tired of the first, and I asked if that was why you quickly tied him down with such…
Maryam: You are out of your damn mind! Mtwwwww! (walks away)
Aishat: You shouldn’t have said that! That was rude… we were only looking out for each other.
Haneefah: Yet you find what I said funny enough! My husband married another woman as an act of ibadah, and we owe no one explanation for his decision. I will always be by his side, irrespective of what others think. So please, let’s welcome the new wife anytime she shows up, just like you once welcomed me in this beautiful mansion.
Aishat: What has gotten over you?
Haneefah: (pauses, then rethinks, speaks softly) I’m sorry, Ma… I’m just exhausted lately, that’s why… and I expect you to understand me better.
Aishat: So… we have a lot to do to welcome our wife, niyen?
Haneefah: I guess so… thanks for looking out for me as always. I really appreciate it. I am fine and happy for his decision… we’ve just been brainwashed by society, putting fear in our minds anytime we hear polygamy. But trust me… they were all wrong. You will understand better when you see her.
Aishat: Hmmmm… if you say so then.
Nusaybah: (angrily walks up to her) Mum!! Warn Ibrahim oo… I will beat him!
Aishat: Hmmmm, you children will not kill me oo… oya, let’s go to your room… Ummu Khalid, may God help us sha… (follows her child)
Haneefah: Amin, Ma… (walks away)