*📖 Shehzana’s Diary* *Wednesday, 4th June 2025* *Garments for Each Other* Dear Diary, Today my heart is *tender* — a soft kind of ache that’s hard to put into words. The sacred winds of Dhul-Hijjah are blowing through the world, and this morning the Hujjaj began their journey to Mina. I watched a livestream for a few minutes… hundreds of thousands, dressed in white, flowing like waves in devotion — whispering Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk, tears falling, hearts trembling. How privileged they are… and how humbled we are to witness it from afar. I raised my hands in dua as the first light touched the sky: Ya Allah… accept every step they take, every stone they throw, every prayer they whisper. Forgive their sins, and through them, shower mercy on the entire Ummah. Let their Hajj be accepted, and may we too be called to Your sacred house soon — with our loved ones, in good health and with pure hearts. Back to our little world here… Yesterday’s joy still lingers like soft fragrance. He’s back, and our home feels whole again. There's a lightness in Mum’s laughter, even the walls seem warmer. Although, she didn't show it, she missed her son and is happy he's back. Today, he told me that when he had seen the candles and the turquoise-blue I wore, it reminded him of a peaceful ocean — still, deep, and radiant. “I felt like I’d walked into a dream,” he said, “And I’m still in it.” SubhanAllah, even ordinary days become extraordinary with the right heart beside you. This morning, he joined me for Tahajjud and Fajr, and after that , we recited the takbeerat together softly. Then, we took out my little Dhul-Hijjah checklist and started going through it side by side. Tahajjud ✔️ Azhkaar ✔️ Dua for the Ummah ✔️ Sending a message of love and reconciliation to someone ✔️ He said we should add something: “Let’s feed a fasting person every day till Eid,” he suggested. So now it’s a shared mission — Garments for Each Other . Mum and I had another beautiful moment today. While we were folding laundry together, I brought up Rehana again. “Mum… I’ve been thinking… what if we invite her mother-in-law to break the fast of Arafah with us? Just us ladies. We can even do Eid preps together that night — like old-school Eid nights… henna, laughter, prayers, cooking, tasbeehs.” Mum paused, then smiled. “That’s actually a brilliant idea, beta. Let’s do it. We’ll invite your Ammi and Abba too — all of us. We’ll blend the love together.” Sometimes… healing doesn’t need direct confrontation. Just warmth... Inclusion, teach by modeling the good Akhlaq ….A full plate of samosas and a softer heart… Rehana called again in the afternoon. Her voice was lighter. “He’s asking if we should all spend Eid together,” she said. “ He he… Guess what??? It's already part of the our plan. Mum will call your mother in law to invite. “ She couldn't believe it, “This… this is the barakah of Dhul-Hijjah,” she whispered. As for Ameera, my ever-growing, ever-shining sister-in-law — she’s been writing Eid cards for her friends and even handmade little bookmarks with Islamic quotes. She’s chosen a place in the backyard for her Eid BBQ and has been so thoughtful, even asking me if I think it’s okay to set up a little prayer corner in the garden for activities . “You’re becoming a woman of ihsaan,” I told her. She blushed, “I learned it from you.” At the moment , I feel so much — love, longing, hope, surrender. The heart is with the Hujjaj… Where are they now? Unfolding their ihrams on the white plains of Mina? Whispering azhkar under the skies ? Sitting side by side with strangers in the tent, yet united in the same prayer: “Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik… “ “Forgive us, accept us, guide us…” I raise my hands in Dua - : Ya Allah… Bring healing to every broken heart. Ease every strained relationship. Accept every whispered repentance. Strengthen every tired soul. And allow us to be among those whose Hajj is written — maqbul and mabrur. May our homes become places of peace. Our marriages, Garments for Each Other Our families, communities of love. And our hearts… always turned toward You, O Allah Until we talk again , with love and duas Keep me in your duas. – *Shehzana* 🤍