Anas: (admiring her, then embracing her tightly) I love you so much. Thank you for the advice. I will work on that.
Haneefah: (holding him closer) I love you too. Thank you for listening, and I truly appreciate this huge gift. Now listen to me. (lets go) You will never lack. Your business will never fail. You will continue to grow. You will enjoy the fruit of your labor. You will live longer than you ever imagined, and may we die only when Allah is pleased with us.
Anas: Ameen!
Rahmah: (watching them from her bedroom window, muttering) What are they talking about and holding each other for all the time? Always pretending. Fake love everywhere. Mtwah. Here is my husband, foolish man. Mtwah.
Jamiu: (barges in) Iya yi! Answer me now. I am starving!
Rahmah: See, do not stress me. As you can see, I am changing your son’s diaper. I cannot divide myself into two. Go into the kitchen and serve yourself. Do not kill me.
Jamiu: (stares at her irritably, then slams the door)
That same night, around 11:23 p.m., everyone had retreated to their rooms. Anas came downstairs looking for something to quench his thirst.
Jamiu: (alone at the dining table) Abu Khalid, you are still up?
Anas: (pauses, then walks up to him) I was about to say the same. Why are you not sleeping?
Jamiu: I could not sleep, man. (sighs heavily) There is just a lot going through my mind lately.
Anas: (sitting down) Mind to share?
Jamiu: There is nothing to talk about. I just needed some alone time, and I can only have that here. My child will not stop crying next to me, and her mother will not stop nagging. I really need to put an end to childbearing. Being a father of seven is a lot for me.
Anas: I am sorry about that. You will be fine, Insha Allah. (stands, ready to leave) I just came to quench my thirst, that is all.
Jamiu: Uhm, Anas.
Anas: Yes?
Jamiu: Can we have a word? Just a few minutes of your time.
Anas: Sure. (sits down) Go on.
Jamiu: (clears his throat) Well, I have been meaning to ask. How has your business bloomed so well? As a civil engineer, you travel only once a year, and things are going so well for you. Not that I envy you. Of course, a man with a kind heart will always be rewarded by God. But how do you progress financially despite the economy of this country? Maybe I can learn where I am lacking.
Anas: Thank you for asking. Rather than holding grudges like my brothers have—I have noticed it. Perhaps after my explanation tonight, you can help me clear their minds. (stares at him for two seconds, then continues) Brother, I will say this once. I have a secret to my success.
Jamiu: (attentive) And what is that? Tell me. I will do it. Just show me the way.
Anas: (chuckles) You sure you can do it?
Jamiu: I swear I will. Just say it. Your secret is safe with me.
Anas: Secret? (chuckles loudly) Okay, if you call it a secret. Since you said you will implement it, may Allah make it easy for you as well.
Jamiu: Tell me already. I am anxious.
Anas: Hmmmm. The secret of my wealth is…
Jamiu: Say it already. Stop this suspense.
Anas: The secret of my wealth is my wife.
Jamiu: (surprised) Your wife? You must be joking. (chuckles) Or wait, do you mean you use her for rituals?
Anas: A’uzu billah! Take it back!
Jamiu: Sorry. I thought that was your point.
Anas: You know what? I better go to avoid being misinterpreted.
Jamiu: (grabs his hand) No vex. Please. I am just depressed and overwhelmed. Please, shed more light on what you just said. You surprised your wife with a brand-new car tonight, and here you are getting married again in two days. Of course, everyone will be suspicious. How are you fulfilling your duties so well and making choices without slipping or regret?
Anas: All thanks to Islam. Islamic knowledge about Allah, about this dunya, and how to live rightly. Not that I never went bankrupt, but I went through it alone without letting anyone know, and I took risks. Alhamdulillah, it saved me. So what I meant by the secret of my wealth is my wife. Here is the truth: the secret of a married man’s wealth lies beneath his wife and children’s happiness.
And what do I mean by that? Have you ever heard this quote: a happy wife is a happy life?
Jamiu: Yeah. I still cannot believe what you are saying.
Anas: I know it is hard to believe, but it is the truth. I have studied many married men and women, even those married before, and I traced their problems back to what Allah says in the Quran and what the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said in the Hadith. The Prophet said: wa fi budi ahadikum sadaqah, and also dinar anfaqta hu fi sabilillah, and wa dinar anfaqa hu ala ahlik – azamuha ajran alladhi anfaqta hu ala ahlik. It means the most rewarded dinar you spend is the one you spend on your family. Caring for and providing for one’s wife and children brings immense reward.
The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) also said: khayrukum khayrukum li ahlihi, wa ana khayrukum li ahli. Meaning, the best of you are the best to their family. If they are pleased with me and include me in their dua, the angels say ameen, and so will you receive the same.
Many husbands today see responsibility over their wives and children as a burden. If not for them, then who else are you working for? Work on your marriage. Love your wife, Lilah, and care for her. You made mistakes before that led to losing Ummu twins. Ask forgiveness, change your perspective on responsibility, and watch how Allah transforms your household.
Jamiu: Wow. That is deep. (sighs heavily) I cannot believe I never thought of it this way. I always viewed marriage as a burden, thinking I am the workaholic of my family. Thank you for shedding light on this. I really appreciate it. Seriously, you are right. No wonder you always strive to keep her happy.
Anas: Exactly. Even with that, your love for her will never fade.
Jamiu: Well, as for that, I do not know. I am exhausted from this marriage. I wish I were single again.
Anas: (laughs) After seven children? Nice try. See, I have a lot to prepare for tomorrow. (yawns)
Jamiu: Oh. Okay. But guy, you are enjoying life. Another wife?
Anas: Multiple blessings, isn’t it? (gets up to leave)
Jamiu: So, we are welcoming your second wife. I trust you, though. You know how to handle your home. Polygamy is no play, but I trust you. You are wiser. You do not owe me an explanation. Congratulations, man. (shakes his hand as he stands)
Anas: Thanks, brother. I need to go now before I drain myself completely.
Jamiu: I got you, bro. (leaves)
Anas: (moves to the large fridge, picks up a bottle of water and gulps it down, suddenly feeling dizzy, clutching his head) Ahhh. (groans silently, touching the fridge for support as sharp pain shoots through his brain)
****************
Haneefah’s POV
And just like that, another beautiful chapter opens. Our little family circle is about to expand for the better. Ahkidu nikkah was finally conducted, and it was an amazing moment for us, especially for the bride. I was so happy for her, though the guests kept looking at me strangely, wondering if I was in my right mind for being excited to welcome a second wife for my husband.
And you know… it really does feel good. They have no idea how intention and keeping them in awe makes me even more excited. My parents were also invited and were proud of me for taking things with love rather than creating a scene. Later, they found my excitement at the ceremony confusing, but guess what? I do not care. Free to call me a mad woman.
I welcomed my lovely wife with open arms. Later that night, as we prepared to take our five children to our beautiful mansion, my husband apologized for not informing me earlier that she did not want to live under the same roof with the entire family. She used to be extremely busy and did not want to compete with me, especially. He also explained that she would not need my husband much—just once a week, or once every two weeks. Having the title of a married woman and bearing a child for him was enough. His attention should be mine alone.
I thought, who does that? We both married him, and she has equal rights as I do. I wanted to have a word with her before leaving, but he said there was no need. I did not want the world to see me as a selfish senior wife. My husband made his point so clearly that Zainab stated her reasons directly to him. The title of a married woman was all she needed. In fact, she would be living in her own house, and her husband was always welcome anytime. I had never heard of such an arrangement before, but if it would bring peace between us, then it was fine.
I returned home with my children and co-wives and their husbands, while the latest couple was given their privacy for the time being. I assured my husband that I would not feel his absence tonight, but I was only deceiving myself. Staring at the ceiling in the middle of the night was exhausting. Thoughts of what they might be doing ran through my mind, yet I found peace in knowing that Zainab’s prayers would finally be answered. The next thing I remember was the alarm ringing.
5:00 a.m.
Haneefah: (eyes closed) Baby, turn off the alarm now… (no response) Hmmmm… (turns to the other side and adjusts) Baby, off it now… (suddenly sits up, yawning) If you won’t… (realizes she is alone in the room) Oh… oh! (hurriedly gets up and turns off the alarm) I cannot believe it. Alhamdulillahi ladzhi ayana badama… amatana wa ilayhin nushur… I cannot believe I was talking to myself. (suddenly her phone rings) Who could that be? (smiles and picks it up) As-salamu alaykum?
Anas: (deep voice) Walaykum salam warahmatullah. Good morning, beautiful one. Did you find someone to help you with the alarm today?
Haneefah: (chuckles) Stop it, jor. You are making fun of me, abi?
Anas: Not really. So, how was your night?
Haneefah: First of all, why are you calling so early in the morning while next to your wife? That is not proper. (teasing laughter)
Anas: Nice try. (chuckles) Actually, she is next to me, still sleeping. I will wake her soon for Solat.
Haneefah: Alright then. Send my greetings to her.
Anas: I will. So, how are you? Do you miss me?
Haneefah: No!
Anas: So you did not miss my chest, uh?
Haneefah: You are next to your wife. Stop doing that. It is kind of annoying.
Anas: Alright. I am sorry. I just called to hear your sweet voice. See you soon.
Haneefah: Soon? No. While you are on your honeymoon, do not even think about it. I do not want problems.
Anas: (chuckles) I do not think you realize how extremely busy she is. She is even more busy and occupied than I used to be.
Haneefah: Really?
Anas: Yes. (suddenly the sharp pain starts again) Uhmmm… I… I am going now. Talk to you later. (hangs up)
Haneefah: Alright. (realizes) Ahh… he did not wait for my response.
Anas: (pain intensifies, he cannot hold it, and screams in bed, waking Zainab) Ahhhhhhhhhhhh! (clutches his head)
Zainab: (touching him) Baby, is everything okay? (realizes) What is wrong? Babe! (worried, holding him)
Anas: Ahhhhhh! My drugs… my… my… (suddenly loses consciousness, lying helplessly in bed)
Zainab: (screams) Subhanallah! Anas! Yeeeeeehhhhh! (shakes him) Anas! Please stop this joke… Anas… ahhhh! Somebody help!
___________
At the hospital
Zainab: (panicking at the reception, doing dhikr in fear) Yaa Allah! Ahhhh! Please… do not test me beyond what I can bear. Please, do not let anything happen to my husband. (soaks in tears) Please! How do I face his wife and family? Ahhh!
Nurse: (approaches the reception, calling out) Who is here for Mr. Anas Olakunle?
Zainab: (jumps up and runs to her) I am! (panting heavily)
Nurse: Please follow me. The doctor wants to have a word with you.
Zainab: (tears streaming uncontrollably) Let’s go, please.
Nurse: Follow me. (leads the way)
____________________
Zainab: (knocks at the door)
Doctor: Please come in.
Zainab: (wiping her tears with her khimar) Good morning, sir. I am here for Mr. Anas.
Doctor: Please have a seat.
Zainab: (obediently sits) Thank you. (stares at the doctor, panting)
Doctor: Before I proceed, what is your relation with Mr. Anas?
Zainab: I am his second wife, sir. His wife.
Doctor: Alright then. After lots of tests and scans, your husband has been diagnosed with a brain tumor.
Zainab: (jaw drops, placing her hands on her head) Yaa salam!