Razia was tired of the endless grind of her life. That’s why, for once, she listened intently as her sister spoke. She knew the temper of Razia’s husband all too well. Despite her silence, the atmosphere at home was thick with tension, and the children tiptoed in fear. She cooked elaborate meals, ensured his clothes were always ready on time, and treated his relatives with utmost respect. Yet, his bad temper remained unyielding. But Razia wasn’t one to stay silent either. Her sense of justice often pushed her to speak up, igniting quarrels that felt endless. Those around her whispered their theories: some blamed it on the evil eye, others suggested black magic or a curse. Amidst this turmoil, her sister was urging Razia to visit a remarkable woman whose praises she sang endlessly.
“Sister! By God, she’s no fraud. She’s a true woman of faith and doesn’t take a single penny. Since she came to our neighborhood, countless family disputes have been resolved. She’s an extraordinary woman, brimming with devotion, and she advises of amazing wazifas” (a set of prayers that is repeated for many days to complete someone’s wish).
The next day, Razia and her sister reached the place together. Razia barely had to explain her situation—the woman seemed to already know, as if she were reading Razia’s life like an open book. For a moment, Razia felt reassured. She was convinced of the lady’s insight and faith, but then something unexpected happened. The lady flatly refused to take on her case. She gestured to the next woman in the queue for her turn. Razia tried everything—she pleaded, even offered money—but the lady remained firm. “The wazifa is extremely demanding,” she explained. “If you miss even a single day in the next three months, it could make your situation worse.” Razia’s heart sank. She had already faced countless bad days, but she wasn’t ready to give up. After everyone else left, she stayed behind, hiding in a corner. Sensing her determination, The lady called her back. “Listen, woman,” the lady said gently but firmly. “The more aggressive your husband’s anger, the more rigorous this wazifa will have to be. It won’t be easy. For the first ninety days, you’ll need absolute dedication. But some precautions will stay with you for life.” Razia, with tears in her eyes, promised to follow every instruction. After gaining her commitment, the lady opened several boxes filled with various powders and handed them to Razia, carefully explaining how each was to be used. The list of tasks and precautions was so long that Razia had to write it all down to remember. When she returned home, she decided not to start the wazifa immediately. The mandatory pre-conditions would take at least a week to fulfill. Every piece of clothing she or the children had worn, even once, needed to be washed. Every washable item in the house had to be cleaned. On the first day, she cooked enough food to last three days and began the task of cleaning. Cupboards were emptied, their contents sorted, and spare clothes given to the less fortunate. Even the winter coats, worn only for three months of the year and neglected for three years, were finally dry-cleaned. The walls and doors came next, and after years of clinging to their places, the curtains were pulled down and washed. Dark, damp corners were scrubbed clean, ready for the placement of the powder the lady had provided. Finally, the day to begin the wazifa arrived. Razia was anxious—what if all her effort was in vain? But she resolved to push through. From that day forward, negative thoughts, complaints, and anger were strictly forbidden for the next three months. To counter these emotions, she was instructed to recite ‘Thank God’s countless times throughout the day. Something remarkable began to happen. As she repeated the words of gratitude, Razia started noticing small but beautiful blessings in her life. The habit of complaining slowly faded, replaced by a deep sense of thankfulness. Alongside her gratitude, she sought forgiveness for her past ingratitude.
Other verses in the wazifa were relatively simple to recite, but each came with its own set of requirements. The morning wazifa, for instance, couldn’t be recited in the clothes Razia had worn overnight. This meant she now had to get dressed properly before even dropping the children at school. The afternoon wazifa was even more challenging. It required a lot of preparation, but Razia, determined to meet the requirements, devised a clever solution. After breakfast, she would immediately begin cooking, ensuring the food was prepared well in advance. To prevent the smell of raw meat, spices, and cooking from seeping into the freshly cleaned curtains and cupboards, she started lighting a candle in the kitchen. This small act protected her hard work from being undone, sparing her the ordeal of repeated cleaning. However, life was no longer as free and easy as it had been before. After cooking, Razia had to take a bath and change her clothes, adding to her daily workload. It was during these early days of adjustment that her husband got angry over something trivial. Razia felt her self-control slipping, the old frustration bubbling up inside her. But then she remembered the Lady’s advice—and the wazifa blessed cinnamon. Acting quickly, she placed a piece of cinnamon between her teeth and bit down hard, channeling all her anger into the spicy bark. The heat from the spice overwhelmed her so much that she had to drink water to soothe her mouth. In the process, the intensity of her anger faded too. This simple ritual began working wonders. Every time anger threatened to overcome her, she would use the cinnamon, and with each sip of water, her frustration ebbed away. What surprised her even more was that her husband, who had rarely shown remorse before, started apologizing for his behavior of his own accord. Days turned into weeks, and slowly but surely, each day became better than the last. Positive changes began to ripple through the house. Her children seemed happier and more at ease. The once-tense environment started to transform into an ideal home.
When Razia returned to thank tha lady, she shared her story in detail. She listened intently, her face lighting up with a warm smile. “May God protect young women like you from fake scholars,” The lady said, her voice filled with both kindness and wisdom. “All the troubles in your home were not due to curses or black magic but rather because of poor time management and severe neglect. By addressing these weaknesses, as God willed, your life turned around.” The lady continued, “When you first came to me, I could see the state of mind you were in. If I had directly told you to go back and take better care of yourself and your home, you wouldn’t have understood, let alone acted on it. With two school-going children, your situation felt overwhelming. No friend or relative had pointed this out to you, not even subtly. Sometimes, we become prisoners of our own habits, and that’s exactly what happened to you and your husband. You became so consumed by household chores that you forgot yourself entirely, and your husband unconsciously adapted to that dynamic. But deep down, he was unhappy, even if he didn’t realize it. I strongly urged you to control your anger because constant stress triggers the body to release chemicals that linger, creating unpleasant odors that even bathing can’t completely remove. The white powder I gave you wasn’t magical; it was simply alum powder, an excellent antiperspirant.” The lady paused, letting the words sink in before continuing. “Men often struggle to express their appreciation, but when their wives neglect themselves, the home, and the children, they naturally feel frustrated. They may not understand the cause or know how to explain it, so they lash out over small things. Once you began paying attention to these aspects, things started improving—not by magic but through your own efforts. And look at the results! As God willed, you’ve turned your home into a haven of peace..
“Tell me honestly,” The lady said with a warm smile, “if I had told you outright that when your husband gets angry, you should always remain silent, wouldn’t you have already known that yourself?” Razia, who had been listening in amazement until now, lowered her head in regret and nodded. “Sister, after every argument, I used to curse myself, thinking, ‘If only I had kept quiet, things wouldn’t have escalated.’ But when he started making false accusations…” Before she could finish, The lady gently interrupted her. “Razia, tell me, does your faith teach you that Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (may God be pleased with him) could ever be wrong?” Razia looked at her, puzzled. The lady continued, “Let me tell you a story. Once, a man started arguing with Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA) in front of the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him). The man hurled insults, but Abu Bakr (RA) remained silent. The Prophet (PBUH) smiled as he observed this. However, when Abu Bakr (RA) could no longer endure and responded to the man, the Prophet (PBUH) stood up and walked away, displeased. Abu Bakr (RA) hurried after him and asked the Messenger of God the reason for his displeasure. The Prophet (PBUH) explained, as long as you remained silent, an angel was answering him on your behalf. But when you replied, Satan replaced the angel. The lady smiled again and asked, “Now tell me, Razia, what will you do the next time you get angry? Will you chew cinnamon, or will you remain silent, knowing that an angel is answering on your behalf, and he will continue as long as you don’t speak?” Razia laughed and said,“Sister, I thought your blessing had worked wonders on the cinnamon! It’s true, though—after my silence, it was surprising to see my husband, after some time, say or do exactly what I wanted without me having to argue. But Sister, I’ve been wondering… Those three months were essential for developing my habits and routine, but is the fragrance in my home—and even on me—unrelated to the wazifa?” Lady’s tone softened as she replied affectionately, “Razia, if you reflect, you’ll understand. Women are prohibited from adorning themselves or wearing strong perfumes in front of non-mahrams, yet they are greatly rewarded for doing so for their husbands. From childhood, we learn that ‘cleanliness is half of faith.’ As we grow older, we’re taught that marriage preserves half of our religion. But within just a couple of years of marriage, these lessons often fade. “Never forget, Razia: when a husband and wife look at each other with love, God looks at them with mercy. To invite that merciful gaze of our Lord, a woman must create an environment filled with her hard work, wisdom, good character, patience, forgiveness, and consistency.
Our great tragedy is that many Muslim women, in their effort to assimilate into non-Muslim societies, become so absorbed in them that their identity as Muslims becomes indistinguishable. Among those whose attire outwardly identifies them as Muslims, there are often women who, while mindful of modesty in public, neglect personal hygiene and appearance. If only they realized that as Muslims, every action they take is a reflection of their faith, serving either as an invitation to non-Muslims towards Islam or as a reason for them to turn away.
When she goes grocery shopping after picking up her children from school, or when she offers a ride to a non-Muslim neighbor or their child, what impression is left if the car is cluttered with scattered items, and body odor circulates in the closed space due to the air conditioning or heating? With every breath they take, discomfort lingers, leaving a message far from the dignity and grace that Islam embodies. This carelessness undermines the very mission entrusted to us as Muslims. This neglect is not just an oversight; it’s a grave failing of responsibility. If only we would realize the impact of such actions. Islam teaches us to approach everything with excellence. Whether others see us or not, God is always watching. He knows our intentions, and the angels are faithfully recording our deeds.
Translated by Ali Zafar