CHAPTER ONE
Hmm! Is this how the world works? Why must life be so hostile to me? I was born with a golden spoon in my mouth, believing I would stay the happiest person on earth. The feathers of my happiness have been plucked away. My dreams have shattered into smithereens. Oh! I'm now in hot water—who will rescue me?
Ishaq lamented, reflecting on the cruelty of death that snatched his loving parents from him. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he pondered his misfortune and recalled his parents' over‑indulgence.
As the saying goes, "the spot with a carcass is where strong vultures gather." For this reason, although Tebon was a small village, it was well‑known throughout the Ashanti Region and beyond, thanks to its fertile soil that attracted many farmers. Almost all the people of Tebon were farmers.
In this village, there lived a prosperous farmer named Abdul Hassan and his wife, Jamila—affectionately called Madam Jamey. She was of medium height with a warm chocolate complexion and well‑aligned teeth. A charming crevice appeared between her front teeth, and she had dimples that showed whenever she burst into laughter, features that captivated many men with intense admiration.
Before her marriage to Abdul Hassan, numerous men often vied for her attention, trying to win her hand in marriage. Madam Jamey never missed an opportunity to turn them down gracefully, even though men would constantly seek her affection. Wherever she went, people became enchanted by her presence, their eyes following her every move. It is said a man once stumbled over a short street pillar while gazing at her. Despite the attention, she resisted the pressure from the village men because she was morally and spiritually guided by her parents, choosing to decline suitors politely.
Mr. Hassan was the luckiest man to marry Madam. They were blessed for a happy and a prosperous life, becoming wealthy landowners in Tebon, joining the ranks of the richest families in the Tebon village. Despite their wealth and happiness, they felt incomplete because they had no child of their own. Living with relatives' children wasn't enough; the age gap made them feel "there is a world of difference between mine and ours."
The couple longed for a biological child, as Mr. Hassan grieved that a woman remains barren until she bears a child from her own womb. He lamented, "I'm toiling and sweating to lay a foundation for my offspring, but my dream of having a child feels like a mirage. I will pray to Almighty Allah to bless me with a child.
The couple were devout Muslims who regularly attended the mosque. As believers, they prayed fervently to Allah for a child, trusting the One, the All‑Knowing, to grant their wish in His wisdom. Madam Serwaa became discouraged and lost faith in divine mercy because people around her kept insinuating that she was barren.
Her friends secretly advised her to seek a traditional healer (often called a marabout) for a remedy to her childlessness. She followed their non‑Islamic counsel and visited the healer without her husband's knowledge. The healer told her that without her husband present, there was nothing he could do to break her barrenness. When she returned home, she mustered the courage to confess to her husband, but upon seeing him she lost her nerve. She feared revealing such an "un-Islamic" act to her devout Muslim husband, and she brooded over the matter for weeks, becoming deeply troubled.
One night, at midnight, unable to keep the secret any longer, she finally confessed her actions. Her husband was furious upon hearing the news and beat his wife severely. Later he regretted his violence, realizing that a faithful believer should not resort to such behavior. He apologized and advised her to avoid repeating that harmful practice.
The couple kept praying for divine mercy, and Allah answered their prayers by blessing them with a bouncing baby boy. Overjoyed, they welcomed the child into a loving environment. They named him Ishaq , drawing inspiration from Ibrahim and Hajar, because the child came to them in their later years. People called him Rahman, seeing him as a direct blessing from the Creator.
Ishaq was charming and loved by everyone. His round face, bushy hair, expressive eyes, and pointed nose made him the center of attention.
When he was four months old, the family brought him to the mosque. The imam led the supplication, praying for the child's guidance and wellbeing.
Mr Hassan and his family thank Allah for abundant blessing, especially for the gift of a blessed newborn. The imam spoke on that joyous occasion, urging the ummah to exercise steadfast patience in their Islamic journey, trusting that Allah's timing is perfect. He quoted the Quranic guidance to make dua (supplication) for every need, reminding the believers to anchor their faith in Allah and to avoid wavering in trials.
All who attended appreciated the khutbah except his wife, who felt regret for having strayed. She remembered the Quranic promise that sincere repentance brings forgiveness and purification . She made a quiet dua and experienced Allah's mercy and forgiveness.