A few years ago I got divorced, and the world around me seemed dark and unfriendly. I felt as if there was nothing to look forward to. I always felt like crying, and sometimes the tears were hard to stop. I experienced unusual aches and pains, had persistent negative thoughts, had difficulty concentrating, and my sense of guilt and worthlessness made me very pessimistic. My future looked blank.
My marriage to my ex-husband was a big mistake. I was warned by my family members, but I wanted to go ahead with it. I wanted to marry him at any cost. Maybe this is what is called “blind love.”
I had come from Pakistan to the UK for higher studies. I met my ex when he was in the UK on a business visit. We got married in Pakistan, and he accompanied me to the UK as my dependent. After our marriage, there was not a single day when I did not cry. We hardly lived together for six months when he said he did not like the UK and he wanted to proceed to the USA. He was always at home, chatting with girls on the computer. I did not complain. I thought that everything would be alright one day. Then one day he said to me that he had a job in the USA and that he was leaving and would be in touch once he had a house.
He left for the USA and his attitude towards me changed. He ignored my calls and was very rude. He said that he had made a mistake marrying me. I asked him why and all he said was that there was no understanding between us.
During this time I learn that he was already married to a lady in Pakistan. I also learned that he gambled. I did not want to leave or divorce him. I was very scared of the idea of divorce.
I prayed to Allah that he stop this divorce and make my husband come back. Everyone told me to get rid of my husband, but I did not have to courage to do so. I was already in my early thirties. With the label “divorcee,” I was sure that nobody would accept me and that I would be left all alone. I remember that it was the month of Ramzan. I fasted, prayed all night, and when I got up in the morning, I received a phone call from my mom that my husband had sent divorce notice by post. I was completely shattered. I kept thinking, “Why did Allah not listen to my prayers?” My mother said that there must be a good side to the situation and that everything happens for a reason. I cried and was very upset the whole day.
I could not sleep that night and got up again and again. I raised my hands and asked Allah for help. I called “Allah, Allah!” all the time. Then all of a sudden I remembered that my mother had gifted me a Quran a year earlier and had asked me to read it regularly. I got up from the bed, performed Wudhu, picked up the Quran, and opened to a page. In front of me were these Ayahs from Surah Talaq, the translation of which is as follows:
“[Talaq 65:3] Allah will provide him sustenance from a place he had never expected. Whoever relies on Allah, then Allah is Sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His command. Allah has set a proper measure for all things.
[Talaq 65:5] This is Allah’s command that He has sent down towards you: Whoever fears Allah, Allah will relieve his sins and bestow upon him a great reward.”
After reading this I understood that whatever happened was God’s will, and that all this had happened because He could not see me leading a suffocated life with my ex-husband any longer.
In the past, I spent most of my time pursuing my studies to build my career. I felt I never had time to read Quran and was too lazy to offer namaz. But after that day, I prayed regularly and recited Quran everyday.
Almost six months passed by, and I was happy, satisfied, and content with my life. I made progress and began to forget my past. I knew that no matter what, Allah is always with me. Besides Allah I do not need anyone.
Then one day a friend of my brother came to visit us and told my brother about a proposal for me. My brother discussed it with me and invited the family over to our house. I was not sure that it would all work out. I thought they would refuse after learning that I am a divorcee, but by the grace of Allah everything worked out well and I met my future husband. After two months, we were married. Allah had put everything in place.
Today, after almost five years later, I am not the same person. I have all of the happiness I wanted and everything that I wished for came true. I am now living a very happy married life with three beautiful children and a loving, caring husband. All of this happened only due to dua’s and blessings of Allah.
I am certain now that everything that happens in this world is only for our own good, and that only God knows what lies ahead in future. All the hardships I went through were nothing but blessings in disguise. I never felt so close to Allah as I do now. I was always doubtful about weather dua could change my destiny, but now I know for sure that offering namaz, reciting Quran, making dua, and placing trust in Allah can definitely change your life.
May Allah bless us all and give guidance to follow the right path. Ameen!
Bismillahirrahmanirraheem 