A pearl and a mother’s grief

E-Paper | June 14, 2026

AS a mother of two lovely sons, I was passing a wonderful and happy life until Nov 4, 2011 when my life was totally changed and shattered. My younger son, Zainul Abideen, was targeted and shot dead while he was leaving to offer his Friday prayers.

For me it was a doomsday. I felt there was nothing left and life had ended for me.

Then I had an opportunity to go for Umrah and I reached Makkah with a heavy heart. Even during the circumbulation, I was crying for Zain and wondering why.

After Umrah, before leaving for Madina, I went for a farewell visit to the Grand Mosque at night and while sitting there facing Ka’aba my husband saw something glittering coming towards us.

When it came nearer, I saw that it was a pearl as big as a pea, and it rolled under my chair and stopped. I screamed that this was my Zain and I picked it up in my palm and kissed it and put it back.

I again looked under my chair, and it was still there luring me to pick it up again. Just then a voice inside me said: “You cannot take things away from Allah’s house”.

It was a very unique pearl which I had never seen before in my life. I request all scholars who read this letter to enlighten me whether it was a pearl coming all the way for me.

I thank all my friends and relatives who stood by me and gave me strength.

SHAHEEN ABIDEEN Karachi

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Muhammad J Maqsood

Jul 15, 2012 10:05am

Allah is the best Provider of Justice and Insha Allah Ma'am Justice shall be served to those who have wronged your family by taking away your son. i felt very sad when i read your son was taken away from you. Ma'am - when the time comes - it comes and i pray that Allah grant you and your family - Sabar-e-Jameel - Ameen. Ma'am those who have experienced grief first hand are very close to Allah and Allah really listens to them. i request you to please pray that may Allah create and sustain ever increasing love among us so that - no one could hate or kill in the name of religion, politics, race, language etc. i am sure Lord will listen and accept your prayers. May Allah and His Rasool help you in this time of your personal grief - Ameen.

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shmaila farooq

Jul 14, 2012 05:06am

its very sad to read abt death of ur son ..,,,im totally speechless.May Allah bless u.but that's true life is a Allah's gift to us and when HE takes away especially child for a mother is unbearable but HE is so kind to give us patience and courage at that very time.HE knows whats right for us which definitely we can not understand.May Allah bless us all

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@vrgodbole1947

Jul 14, 2012 09:56am

Its a super vision super power gave to you. Preserve it. God will give you more strength.

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J.E Sequeira

Jul 14, 2012 06:01pm

An outstanding example of faith, courage and submission to God's Will -- a true Muslim Pakistani far removed from the distorted versions of islam that is so prevalent in the country today -- versions sponsored by religious and political leaders who seem to believe that the murder of those who think defferently is doing God's will

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kumara

Jul 15, 2012 02:39am

I would have thought Allah sent the pearl your way so you can take it; but you have thought higher and left the pearl where it was. Bless you.

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