<p>Shatima, my child, you are indeed a brave man. We were four wives, not married the same day, but our bond was always strong. Among us, I was the loudest, but now, where are my fellow wives? Where is our husband? They have all answered the call of our Creator.</p><p>We lived through joy and challenges, always in mutual respect. I pray for Allah’s mercy upon them, and I hope mine will be as beautiful as theirs.</p><p>She paused and continued, “Having four wives is not the issue. The problem lies with the man if he cannot maintain justice among his household.”</p><p>He responded, "Grandmother, am I not your own? InshaAllah, I will never disappoint you." She smiled and said, “If your name is Muhammad Ja’afar and you bear the title Shatima, then I know you are a brave man.”</p><p> </p><p>—</p><p>Since Mallam Adamu started receiving treatments, his condition has improved. The 20,000 Naira given by the Alhaji was a huge help. Ummu Salma alighted from a rickshaw carrying pots of freshly cooked tuwo and soup. She rushed into the hospital to feed her parents after managing to buy groceries and cook from the profit she made selling fried wara.</p><p>As she climbed the stairs leading to the male ward, her foot slipped. Her rubber-soled slippers betrayed her, and she landed hard on the ground. Her worry was not about the fall but the food meant for her parents. Unfortunately, it was too late; the food had spilled all over the floor.</p><p>A hospital worker scolded her, "Hey, you! Look at the mess you've made! Do you think this is your dirty home?" Salma stood up, tears streaming as she surveyed the wasted food. Another cleaner approached, adding, “What kind of filth do you people eat at home to bring such nonsense here? Clean this up immediately!”</p><p>Salma, overwhelmed by their harsh words, remained silent. Amid the onlookers, one person stood up for her, “It’s not right to humiliate her over an accident.”</p><p>As tempers flared, Alhaji and his companion entered the scene. He intervened, "Where are the cleaners?" The cleaner replied, "We are here, but she should clean her mess." Alhaji insisted, “Leave it. If you won’t clean it, then I will.”</p><p>Salma began to cry again, but Alhaji calmed her. "Do you remember me?" he asked. She nodded slightly, "Yes, you are the one who helped us the other day." He smiled, handed her some money, and directed her to buy food for her parents. His companion added more money.</p><p>With gratitude, Salma rushed off, purchased fresh food, and returned to her parents with joy. After narrating the incident to her mother, her mother prayed, “May Allah bless him and fulfill his needs.”</p><p> </p><p>—</p><p>Later that night, Alhaji Isa Shatima sat in his living room with his wife, Hajiya Halima. As they watched the evening news, a wedding ceremony of a minister’s daughter caught his attention.</p><p>"I just remembered something Hajiya said earlier today," Alhaji said.</p><p>"What did she say?" Hajiya Halima asked.</p><p>"She mentioned that Shatima plans to marry three wives on the same day," Alhaji replied.</p><p>Hajiya Halima almost spilled her tea, coughing in disbelief. "Are you serious, or was she joking?" she demanded.</p><p>"She wasn’t joking," Alhaji affirmed.</p><p>Hajiya Halima called for her son, Shatima, who came down promptly. After greetings, she addressed him directly, “What is this I’m hearing about you marrying three wives on the same day?”</p><p>Shatima remained calm, “Yes, Hajiya, it’s true.”</p><p>She expressed her disapproval, “You must be out of your mind! How can you handle three wives at once? This will only bring unnecessary trouble!”</p><p>He patiently explained, “Hajiya, this wasn’t my initial plan, but Allah’s decree brought it to me. I am 36 years old, and Islam permits us to marry up to four wives if we can maintain justice. You’ve raised me with fairness, and I intend to uphold that in my home. I need your blessings for this marriage.”</p><p>Hajiya Halima sighed deeply, “You are quite the orator, Shatima. But I still need time to think about this.”</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>
