Reality

Short stories and Poetry from the heart. Embracing our human side and understanding what it's like to have empathy and be brave and kind.

Copyright
Copyright © 2024 Zaahidah Daniel Khan
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any
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Foreword.
WE ARE THE WORD
As I read each page, I feel the pain of those hurting, injured and oppressed.
There is so much human misery around the world, in society and in families.
The Pandemic was a short lived lesson with very little change.
Being humble and being kind was temporary.
The rich became more arrogant and proud and the poor and helpless continue to suffer.
Sadly, it is what it is.

SHORT STORIES
Being human is about changing yourself and not changing the world.
Patience is a Pillar of Faith.
Life is a journey from he Almighty to The Almighty.

STRONG WOMAN
My aim is to inspire every woman around the world to change their outlook on life and be
motivated.
Getting married is every girl’s dream. You save and plan for months to make this day special.
Everything must be perfect—from the venue to the wedding gown, the jewelry, the decorations,
the food, and the list goes on.
She was a modern yet modest girl who came from a humble family, taught to value respect and
good manners. Finally, she met her prince charming. It was time for her big day: her wedding.
Falling in love and choosing her own life partner wasn’t her choice but a decision made by her
family.
It was a fairy-tale wedding, the kind every girl dreams of. Her wealthy family ensured that it was
the best celebration for their only child.
There she stood, a decent, respectable, beautiful woman from a small community.
The Change
She was a happy and content wife, blessed with four beautiful children. They were her pride and
joy, a happy family that spent magical weekends together. It was challenging for the newly
married couple to cope with four toddlers.
As the weeks passed, her husband grew impatient with the children and couldn't tolerate their
cries and noise. All he wanted was to watch TV without any disturbances. He began screaming
at his wife whenever the children were noisy.
Her smile remained captivating, but her eyes revealed a secret pain that only a few could
discern. Over the years, she was no longer attractive or appealing in his eyes—just a boring
housewife. Their communication dwindled. She had thought marriage would change her world
and bring a better life. It was good at first, and he was a decent father, but soon, his
distractions—hobbies, partying with friends—took over.
She was left home alone, often filling the role of both parents for her children. She became
skilled at this, though the burden was heavy. She camouflaged her pain to protect her children
and keep them happy, but she felt trapped in this life, a prisoner in her own home.
When her husband was moody, he hurled hurtful names at her. She became so accustomed to
the verbal abuse that she comforted herself by saying, “Ignore him and move on.” Her threshold
for pain grew stronger, and she became a strong woman. Her life was like a yoyo—good days
were fleeting. She was too afraid to speak up; if she tried, she would face emotional,
psychological, and verbal abuse. Years passed, and she became a professional pretender,
wearing a façade in front of family and friends.
The strict cultural rules silenced her. It wasn’t easy to stand up for her rights without being
judged or degraded. She was told to be patient and tolerant, to endure in silence.
Patience
Her faith was the main reason she tolerated and had patience with this man, hoping for a
positive change. Despite their shared children, she tried to be the perfect wife and partner,
trapped with no way out. She knew that escape would have severe consequences.
The years of stress began to take a toll on her health, but she pressed on, smiling through the
pain. Only her eyes told the true story.
She became dependent on him, with outings and seeing the world becoming a luxury. Friends
could not visit her without causing problems. Her life grew dull, filled only with prayers and time
spent with her children to fill the empty spaces. This gave her the strength and courage to stay
strong.
As the years slipped by, all she did was practice patience. The question haunted her: “To be or
not to be in this marriage?”
Freedom
Life became financially difficult, and he gave her the freedom to work. This brought some
comfort, as she met new people and regained her independence. She started to feel worthy
again, able to do her own shopping and rely less on him.
Earning a salary gave her strength. Although balancing work, motherhood, and housework was
a heavy load, this newfound independence made her stronger.
With every obstacle, she moved forward with grace. But her growing independence fueled her
husband's insecurity and jealousy, leading to more emotional and verbal abuse. She felt like she
was walking on eggshells, still convinced that he loved her.
Sanity and Speaking Up
Every time he tried to bury her under the weight of his cruelty, she forced her way out, dusted
herself off, and carried on. She was a fighter. Years passed, and she realized that she was
aging gracefully. With time, she became more tolerant and flexible. She was a strong woman.
After years of an unhappy and abusive marriage, she finally found the courage to speak up and
fight for her human rights. Men often take a woman’s silence as helplessness, but she knew
speaking up was crucial for change. He needed to know she wouldn’t tolerate the abuse any
longer.
Break Free!
It was time to be free. Her emotional scars became lessons that strengthened her inner self. As
she looked in the mirror, she saw that her fake smile was fading, and the dark circles under her
eyes told her: enough is enough.
She realized there was more to life than this unhappy marriage. She knew she was worth more
and that she had to focus on creating a better future for herself and her children.
After making the bold decision to end her marriage, her life gradually improved. She could smile
again, breathe more easily, and enjoy the laughter and joy of her children. She focused on her
goals, pursued her studies, and worked to provide a better life for her family.
Believe
Women should stand up for their rights before violence enters a marriage or relationship. Don’t
be afraid to seek help, even if it hurts your pride. Believe in yourself because you are the one
who can change your destiny. The process may be emotional and difficult, but you have the
right to live with respect and dignity.
No one can help you leave; it’s your move. No matter how much you love him, it’s not your fault.
You are human, too. You have a life to live.
Many women are in similar or worse situations but are too afraid to take a stand. It’s never too
late to do so.
Change isn’t easy, but it gets better. Above all, believe in yourself. You are a strong, beautiful
woman, and you deserve the best.
Words have a profound emotional effect on us. They shape how we interact with others and the
decisions we make. Words can inspire or destroy us; they can bring us joy or endless tears.
Words have the power to change our lives and relationships.
“I love you,” “I hate you,” “You are useless”—she heard these words too often. They left scars
that would last a long time.
Start focusing on yourself. Take time to explore new hobbies. Don’t depend on others to make
you happy.
Follow your dreams, stay focused, and never give up. You are stronger than you think.

THIS WORLD AND US
The splendor, beauty, and power of God can never be compared. Every day in our lives, we
strive for success, so let us put in more effort to become better people. No one is perfect, but
God Almighty is most forgiving and is always there to guide us.
Look around you; observe nature, the magnificent creation of the Almighty. Let us not forget that
we are blessed people under the sun. This world we live in was once so peaceful and is now so
destructive. It is indeed a paradox. We inhabit a world full of breathtaking marvels, yet our
leaders recognize that something is drastically wrong but cannot solve basic human problems.
Humankind is often driven by greed, fighting for land and political power. Every day, every
minute, innocent lives are lost to crime, greed, drugs, violence, and anger. There is no more
peace in our world.
There are too many differences among us, along with too much hatred, intolerance, and
misunderstanding. We have become prisoners in our own homes, locking and chaining
everything we own. We are afraid to walk down the streets, living in fear of being raped,
mugged, or murdered.
Where is our fear for God?
Having a fear of God will prevent us from doing wrong or thinking wrong. He is our guide and
protector from all evil. We can make a difference.
We are plagued by venereal diseases, one of the worst being AIDS, the killer disease that has
already destroyed so many lives and continues to do so.
We can protect and save ourselves from such diseases. Our faith will keep us strong in heart
and mind. Everything materialistic in this world is just temporary and will eventually be left
behind. We should all learn to be God-fearing and have faith. It is never too late to start.
Man, and man alone, can make this world a better place to live in. Every person should be
treated fairly, regardless of their color, whether black, white, or blue, after all, we are all God's
creation.
It is only our faith and prayers that will help us, not our status and certainly not our money. We
must realize that the Almighty helps those who help themselves. The struggle and pain over
fights for ancestral land and the desire for liberation exist worldwide.
Whose land are we fighting for? And why? Remember, this land belongs to God Almighty, the
Creator of the universe. Unto Him we belong, and unto Him we shall return. Sadly, very few are
aware of this fact.
When death is inevitable for everyone, and all must become one with the earth, we will all be
lying under the same ground. Life is short; today we have time, so let us do what we must.
Everyone should love themselves first, have self-respect, and show kindness and warmth to
those around them. This will help make the world a better place to live.
With tears of joy in our eyes, let us be grateful for the life we have, and with sadness in our
hearts, let us pray for peace in this world. We are busy planning our lives today; little do we
know what will happen tomorrow.
Time wasted is never regained.

DRUGS – DANGEROUS, RUBBISH, USELESS,
GREED, SINFUL
The lifespan of our innocent children is sadly shortened because of a “killer drug.” You are right!
How tragic this is. Innocent was the child, but guilty you are: “drug dealers.”
With faith and trust in the Almighty, we accept the death of our loved ones. Why must we lose
yet another life for you “drug dealers” to wake up and smell the coffee?
Do you realize that this could happen to your loved one? How would that feel? “Drug dealers,”
pedal pushers, pimps, whoever you are, whatever you are, you are God’s creation. As human
beings, we are supposed to be the highest form of mammal, with the ability to reason and
comprehend.
What do we do instead? We abuse this gift from God Almighty. Whether you believe in God or
not, there is a Creator who gave you the gift of life and can also take it away at any time.
Most people think that if their body is cremated, they will escape punishment. You are wrong.
Each and every one of us must face our Creator, irrespective of our culture or religion. How can
one human being destroy the life of another, especially with drugs?
Where is the mentality? A drug is called a killer drug, yet you sell it after knowing the
consequences one faces after taking it. There are many ways to earn a decent living. Why do
“drug dealers” have to stoop so low, making an income while simultaneously killing innocent
people?
Of course, we all must face death one day, but not when a life has been deliberately taken away
inhumanely by someone else (drug dealers). Sadly but truly, this is a daily occurrence, as drugs
are sold to innocent children, teenagers, and adults.
I know drug dealers would say, “It is not my fault if they want to buy it.” I cannot agree, because
with curious minds, some people want to try it for fun—to get the feeling, or as “drug dealers”
would say, to get high. Think for a second: if you did not introduce or deal in drugs, they would
never know about it.
Fair enough, it earns you big bucks, but at the same time, it makes you a potential killer,
because you alone know the dangers of drugs and the harm they cause to the human body.
Think about this.
Drugs become a bad habit for an addict; the more you give them, the more they want. In the
process, these drugs destroy their bodies. They become your best customers and, eventually,
your best dealers. Then “drug dealers” would say, “Hey, Bro, there is some new hot stuff that
just came out. Plan to sell some to the kids; they can organize more business for us.” Is this not
the famous line of a “drug dealer”?
You sit back on your high horse, calling the shots. How easy for you. You are not only selling
drugs; you are also forcing innocent people to take drugs, and the outcome in most cases is
death.
I urge you to close your eyes and think for a second. What are you doing? In simple words, with
every drug you sell, you are killing a soul. There will be no mercy for you because you are
playing around with the creation of the Almighty—that is, life.
Remember, each of us is just a tenant in this world, renting on God Almighty’s land. To Him we
belong, and unto Him we shall return. Regardless of your status or religion—drug dealer or
not—we are all answerable for our sins on the Day of Judgment. Do you think it will be an easy
experience facing your punishment, considering all the drugs you sold and all the lives
destroyed because of your drugs? Yes! Your drugs!
Believe me, the punishment from the Almighty is incomparable to the suffering experienced from
taking cocaine, heroin, or whatever. On the Day of Judgment, there will be no painkillers or
drugs to ease your pain. No pain in this world can be compared to the pain you will endure on
that day.
No hard feelings; just like you, I am only human and entitled to my opinion. I am concerned
about our future and the future generations yet to come. It is never too late to give up the
drug-dealing lifestyle. Life can be better for you, with better prospects and a pleasant future.
Come on, guys and dolls! You have enough money stashed away—big mansions, fast cars,
etc., from all the drugs you sold. Give it up.
God Almighty is the greatest, and He will surely help those who help themselves. I promise you
that the Almighty will forgive you if you stop now.
Let us be realistic. Did you ever think that one of the bricks in your fancy home was bought with
a drug you sold, a drug that killed an innocent child? I can go on, but I shudder to think of the
punishment in the grave for those who are guilty.
I end with sadness in my heart, begging “drug dealers” to reanalyze your lifestyle for the sake of
your dignity, your children, and our future. Go on, give it a try. Only you can make a difference.

RICH MAN, POOR MAN
It is a sad reality that we live in a world where people judge you by your status.
We should recognize that it is our duty to respect every human being, regardless of whether
they are black or white, rich or poor.
A dirty beggar on the street can be promised Heaven; therefore, one should never undermine or
judge a person. Only the Almighty is the best judge of all.
When a family requests any form of help with food, expenses, bills, and especially financial
assistance, they are often asked to set up a meeting with that organization or with wealthy
individuals.
The questions asked can be unbelievable. Yes, there are many fraudsters out there, but when
someone is genuinely honest and has evidence or proof of their difficulties, they are still
humiliated. Families feel belittled and embarrassed for reaching out for help.
Where is your humanity?
These organizations and the wealthy fail to realize how devastating this can be for families,
leaving them with emotional scars.
In many cases, there are ulterior motives when a helpless woman seeks help. A favor in return
is often expected. If the woman refuses to accept the suggestions or deals, she is turned away.
Remember, as millionaires in this world, they can buy properties and massive plots of land.
Unfortunately, with all the money they have, they cannot buy or secure a plot in Heaven.
And despite their wealth, they cannot buy rich soil.
A millionaire is unable to spend all their wealth in a lifetime. This is something they often fail to
realize.
It does not cost a cent to be kind, caring, and sympathetic to those less fortunate than you.
Reap the rewards of being a considerate human being. We are all human beings with feelings
and sensitivities.
The fact is, whether rich and famous or poor and infamous, we are all buried under the same
soil. There’s no separate soil for the rich. Be humble.

MOTHER
The day she found out she was carrying you in her womb, she was the happiest woman in the
world. She carried you for nine months, enduring heartburn, cramps, indigestion, and restless
nights while you were forming into a baby.
During your birth, she endured immense pain to bring you into this world, but she bore all the
pain because she loves you so much. When you were finally born, she couldn’t wait to show
you off to the world.
You were her pride and joy. She nurtured you, protected you, and kept you warm under a roof in
a cozy room. As you grew, she grew older, of course. When you were hungry at night, she broke
her sleep to feed you because she loves you.
On cold, dark nights, she sacrificed her sleep to ensure that you were fed and kept warm. In her
sleep, she would peek in to check on you, making sure your blanket was secure because she
loves you.
Even though she was exhausted, she did it all because she loves you. While taking care of you,
she managed household chores and still prepared meals for the rest of the family, never
neglecting or mistreating you because she loves you.
She loved you unconditionally. At the slightest sound you made, she would come running
because she loves you.
In her prayers every day, sitting on her prayer mat, she lifts her hands to pray for your health,
success, and long life because she loves you. Yet she has been doubted.
As time passed, she aged. The hands that fed, bathed, and carried you grew weak. The energy
she had for playing with you as a child began to fade. Her eyesight, which once scrutinized your
every movement as a baby, started to weaken. Her legs, which used to run to protect you from
harm, are also growing weaker.
She is weak. But today, she must fend for herself. She may not show the same love and care
now, but she gave you all of that when you were born and growing up.
Can all this she did be forgotten? Was this not love and care? Can anything in the world
compensate for the sacrifices she made for you?
She would keep the last piece of bread for you, even when she was hungry. She made sure
your room was neat and your bed cozy. Hot meals were served to you, yet you still criticize her
cooking.
Today, she is belittled, and her tears are seen as just drops of water. Now she is forgetful,
uncaring, unfair, and unloving.
How did you come into this world? Your mother. Don’t ignore her calls; it may be her last call to
you. Mothers are the guardians of the whole family.
Treasure your mother. May the Almighty guide us and give us tolerance and patience with our
mothers as they grow older and weaker. Ameen.

Life
Sometimes in our lives, we feel that we have reached a turning point and that all hope is lost.
This is the time when evil creeps in. Thoughts of doing wrong and speaking harmfully enter our
minds. It is at this moment that we should sincerely pray to prevent ourselves from committing
sins.
Corruption and greed persist. Getting even with one another and hurting the feelings of our
brothers and sisters continues daily. We often desire status, money, and materialistic values
more than we value good human qualities. Youngsters seek posh cars, racing through life
without care. Some engage in sinful acts, reveling in worldly pleasures and their perceived
freedom.
As time passes, we fail to realize that life is short, and all good things must come to an end.
How often do we think of death? When death is sent by our Creator, there is no escape. The big
mansions, fast supercars, and all the money in the world cannot buy us more time.
We should reach out to those in need and earn our rewards. Let us put smiles on people’s faces
and share our wealth with the less fortunate as an act of charity. Life has no guarantees, and
each of us will face death one day; the hordes of our valuables and wealth will be left behind.
Remember, no matter how prolonged this worldly life may seem, it is temporary and must come
to an end. It is never too late to start adopting new changes and attitudes in our lives. Let us
strive to be humble and, most importantly, let us not degrade the beauty of our existence.
We can secure our homes with modern alarm systems and security gates. We may possess the
most powerful weapons, but when death approaches, there is no escape.

POETRY
Poetry is an art that lights up the heart with understanding and truth.
An inspiration to God;s Creation.

GOD'S GRANDEUR
Taken for granted, abused by man.
time now for restrictions and ban.
Crime and corruption exist worldwide.
With bribery, unjust and pride
Coronavirus, a calamity to open our eyes.
Prayers are of value as the whole world cries.
Countries are in turmoil.
As we tread on God's soil
Carefree we are about the warning.
Then finding ourselves in mourning
Nature is forever and at peace.
Whilst our life has no lease
Our lifestyle we should analyze.
Most definitely we can rise.
Pray for God's mercy!
As your life is your legacy.
MY VEIL
My veil
My mask
My niqab
“Ninja turtles, letter boxes,” we were called,
Wearing our niqab, even if bald.
A dress code showing respect,
For we never know what to expect.
A common practice in Islam,
Our protection causes no harm.
Our world is undergoing a test,
Sadly, many are put to rest.
Wash your hands, cover your face!
Customary in Islam,
Once again causing no harm.
Keep your distance, cover your face!
Now being practiced by every race.
The whole world is in niqab, fearing the coronavirus,
As the death toll continues to rise.
Lifestyles have changed,
While medical advice is being exchanged.
Flatten the curve!
And health and safety we must observe
My veil
My mask
My niqab
Freedom, we want like a swallowtail.
Stay safe, stay home!
Not the streets should you roam
Prayers and prayers are all we need.
Remember our Lord takes heed.
My veil
My mask
My niqab

ANGER
Sweet lips, high tones
Low pitch, gradually ascending
A daily occurrence, though unacceptable
Exchanged words, vulgar languages
Mood swings, outrageous voices
Rising flames, indistinguishable
Totally forbidden.

SELF-RESPECT
Depth of inner feelings
Embedded forever
Captivating wholeheartedly
An inspiration of the offsprings
Never to be lost or stolen
Everlasting in existence
Dignified and admired.

CHILDREN OF GAZA
Life is a gift from the Almighty to be treasured
Sadly, this gift is taken away
By ruthless murderers everyday
Your cries, your pain
Will never be in vain
With your tolerance and patience
Israel will suffer the consequence
Itsnotreal
Palestine is not defeated
Even though your tyranny is repeated
You have anger and hate
Your regret will be too late
Palestine is never alone
Our faith is what we own
The Almighty is the Greatest of all
Palestine will never fall
No bombs and no shells can destroy Islam
We endure and keep calm
You can take away our food and water
But our faith will never alter
The Almighty is Great
Palestine is our State