Happiness, something we all long for, yet it can be elusive at times. Recently, I felt like I had lost my mojo. I feel like my jigsaw puzzle has lost a piece, incomplete. Many times, I lay awake contemplating if I had done the correct thing by shying away from the marriage and other nights, I just wished that I had settled.

Dad caught me in deep thought as I lay on the love seat in the lounge. He approached quietly and sat at my feet.

“Dad, is there something wrong with me?”, I asked him and before he could answer I continued, “I called off my engagement and I decided that I would use this time to better myself as a Muslim. I have been praying regularly and on time, I am learning to recite Qur’an, and I am learning about Islam daily too.”

Patiently, my Dad waited for me to finish. “And I have found contentment in this.” “But, Dad, why do people see me being unmarried as a joke or an issue. They make fun of me and say that I am being too fussy.” The tears began to fall as I looked at my father, sitting and patiently allowing me to unburden my heart. “Do I have this all wrong, Dad?  Maybe there is something wrong with me?”  I sobbed.

“Sophia, behta, there is nothing the matter with you. These are all ideas that society has created and adhere to because it makes them comfortable.”, he said reassuringly.

“Is there some law set in stone that dictates that you have to be married at a certain age? Is there any reason for you to rush, any emergency?”

I look at him, all red-eyed and sniffling, and shake my head, knowing that what he told me, made sense.

“Allah has chosen the date, the time, the venue, the perfect match for you. That is of importance, not what the world dictates. Some are not blessed with a spouse in the dhunya. When He decrees a matter, He only says to it: “Be! ـ and it is. Kun fayakun”

“And, no, you do not have to settle, you have found Allah and the love for Him. That is of significance to you now and soon He will send you the one who will hold your hand and lead you to Jannah as he will have the same love and fear for Allah, as you do.”

My fathers’ sincerity and concern filled my heart with immense joy, and I could not help myself but embrace him. Of course, he wriggled shyly away from me, but I felt so much better, that I did not mind at all.

He held my hand and gently continued with his naseeha to me, “Sofia there is no rush at all, I would rather have my children with me now than have you settle  into a marriage that may see you miserable and unhappy just because you want to please those whose thinking is rigid.”

We sat quietly before Dad said, “If all else fails, behta, Uncle Essop knows someone. See, sorted.”, he said with a mischievous smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye.

My father always knows how to make me feel better.