Re: Al-Bint’s diary is 15

I miss Grandma, Al-Ghazali and Ibn HazmAssalam alaikum,Congratulations on having reached 15 years of writing this column. I recall reading an interview with you when the Diary was 10 years old.I have been an ardent follower and your decision to compile Albint in a book is a welcome one. Over 10 years ago, I entertained […]

I miss Grandma, Al-Ghazali and Ibn Hazm
Assalam alaikum,
Congratulations on having reached 15 years of writing this column. I recall reading an interview with you when the Diary was 10 years old.
I have been an ardent follower and your decision to compile Albint in a book is a welcome one. Over 10 years ago, I entertained the idea of making Albint’s diary into a movie. Then I contacted a friend who had claimed that it was compiled for her from Weekly Trust. When I realised that she wasn’t ready to let me have her collection, I started cutting piece by piece every week and made my own archive. But two years ago, I got similar cuttings of the diary from the same old friend.
As a young man then, in my early 20’s, I got a model of the ideal Islamic home I have been praying for in the diary, to the extent that whoever I came across from the opposite gender, the first thing I do is to introduce Albint’s diary to her.
Indeed the compilation into a book is timely, especially when the online archive does not cover all the articles., I also suggest that a website or a blog and links to social networks like twitter, facebook, Google+  etc should spring up as a discussion forum where discourse on our family life style can take place. In the words of Suleiman Zailani when he wrote about Albint’s diary, ‘Weekly Trust has regenerated Intellectual dynamism here in the North.’
I wish to call on our literati’s to do a thorough analysis of Albint’s diary. Yours sincerely will try to join this exercise by analyzing, from the days of Grandma with her priceless wisdom and timely advice, down to when Tahir was given a royal gift who was called a bumpkin princess by Albint, to what ensued and led to the formation of the First Wife’s Club, before becoming The Ladies’ Parliament and the famous but infamous dear John letter which we are all subjected to as men from time to time. We knew Albint’s state of mind when she just 10 years in marriage. She was certainly more scholarly then, often quoting Imam Ghazali and Imam Ibn Hazm al- Andalusi to make her point and dwelling much on the quality time they spent together as a family.
 
Truth be told, Albint and Tahir have become a yardstick for me towards establishing an ideal islamic home. I still recall episodes like The Dibitri affair, The devilish whisper, Where is my hero, The Alfaatiha organisation, Do men know what they want etc.
In conclusion I shall reproduce what Suleiman Zailaini wrote about a decade ago on Albint’s Diary which I committed to memory thus “Albint is certainly a highly educated modern Muslim woman who leaves no one in doubt as to the practical application of her islamic ideas in ensuring a stable and stress free home in our complex and conflict-ridden society …
In conclusion I am using this medium to book my copy of the book in advance. Congratulations, Al-Bint.
Musa Muhammad

Make them longer, then make a movie
For the past six years, I’ve been a frequent reader of your columns, it is indeed heartwarming, full of intrigue, and very comprehensive in all ramifications. I guess, it will make sense more if all the stories will be found in a bookshelf. May I suggest, that after putting all the existing diaries in a manuscript, an addition to each story/chapter is necessary, so as to make it a bit lengthy. It will also be a nice attempt, if you can approach a serious film producer with the collection. Viewing it from a camera’s angles will make it more interesting. Indeed, 15 years of writing such stuff is great wisdom. Thank you, remained blessed.
Usman Tahir

Al-bint’s diary is very educative; I must say that I enjoy every part of it. I can’t wait to get a copy of the book. Please do notify me when it is out for sale.
Hauwa Ahmad Ndagi <[email protected]>

Al-Bint, to me so far your diary is the best ever because I found motivation, inspiration and the courage to do a lot of things and to tackle many of life’s issues. All I can say again is more ink to your pen.
<[email protected]>

I must sincerely appreciate and congratulate you for keeping us busy every Saturday, waiting at a newspaper stand to have our copy. I’m glad you have decided to compile your write-ups in a book form so we would buy for our family. I wish you the best in the sight of Allah. Thanks.
Tswako Muhammad <[email protected]>

RE: Not all that glitters
It was so revealing and surprising as well to read such a captivating piece, indeed it is now a usual occurrence in most of our homes to find young couples experiencing the same trauma that Mu’mina experiences.
It is not worldly materials that matters most in any home, rather a contented heart and relative happiness that brings everlasting peace.
As the saying goes, Not all that glitters is gold.
May Allah guide and protects us from evil misfortunes. Ameen.
Zaharaddeen Aliyu <[email protected]> 

Assalamu Alaikum.
I am a regular reader of your column but I’ve never written to you until today. You’re doing a great job with those ever enlightening stories. May Allah reward your efforts. I just happen to enjoy deciding for myself which of your stories are real and which are just fiction. Even though I always tell my mum they are all real, may be you just do a little modification but they are all inspired by a true life story if not completely true.
This week’s story “not all glitters” really caught my attention. For the first time I felt I really want to know whether it actually happened in real life. I am also very curious to know why the husband did what he did. If it’s really true, he is fortunate to be alive and can ask for her forgiveness though they have separated. Really felt sorry for that poor little girl. So am going to ask, is it a true life story? And do you happen to know the husband’s reason for his actions? Weekly Trust will be somewhat boring without your column. Keep up the good work.
Fatima Dikko <[email protected]>