This man had made life hell for Sumayah ever since he had...

This man had made life hell for Sumayah ever since he had become attracted to her and had asked her to marry him. Sumayah never let herself to be influenced by his wealth. She avoided his company because he was careless and wild. Her uncle was trying to pressure her into marrying the young man by describing how happy she would be with every imaginable earthly comfort. He built palaces for her based on his wishes and hopes.

Sumayah's uncle ignored her objections, and she was afraid that if she gave in to her uncle's demands, she would be deviated from Islam. Would my brother take my uncle's side if he was here?' she wondered. She thought about how much she needed to see .her brother. She always remembered him in her prayers, and asked Allah to guide him. Sumayah's uncle had locked her in her room for two days in his attempts to pressure her.

As she sat in the room, she said to God, “O God I am afraid of what may happen, but I will stand firm. I shall keep on struggling until you help me by Your mercy.” Her prayer put her at ease. She reasoned that only real submission to God could cause her to feel such calmness and then she slept, exhausted from the previous sleepless night. Suddenly her uncle's sharp voice awoke her.

He was knocking loudly on the door, saying, “Are you still asleep, you woman from the Middle Ages?" Sumayah sat up, shaking, and answered meekly, "Yes, I had been asleep.” Her uncle opened the door and tried to speak in a friendly tone, "You look happy this morning, Sumayah.

I'm certain that you have returned to reality and have given up your impossible dreams." "Uncle, I have always lived in reality." "Yes," he replied, “The reality of ancient times.” Now were living in the twentieth century, and if you give up your old ideas, I will keep the door unlocked." Sumayah told him, "Oh uncle, I don't want you to open a door for me which leads to worldly pleasures and close the door to God's blessings and forgiveness.

Please be kind enough to let me manage my own affairs." Her uncle angrily retorted, "I won't let this opportunity pass by. I don't want you to stay hidden in your room constantly reading and writing. You have disappointed me greatly." Sumayah answered him quietly, “I will always be as I have been and am now.” "Then you must leave my home. I won't let you trouble me." "Are you serious?” Sumayah anxiously asked.

"Yes!", replied her uncle."You either agree to marry this man, or leave my house and never return.