by Umm Zakiyyah
“I like them both,” Jacob said. “So I support whatever you decide.”
There was a thoughtful pause. “What if we call her Asiya Juwayriah?” Aliyah said.
Jacob’s lips formed a thin line as he considered the suggestion. “That’s fine,” he said tentatively. “But I prefer Asiya Jacob.”
Aliyah laughed out loud. “Nice try,” she said, rolling her eyes.
“I’m serious,” he said, laughter in his voice. “But not because of me, but because that’s the way children were named at the time of the Prophet, sallallaahu’alayhi wa sallam,” he said. “Just like our Mother Juwayriah is known as the daughter of Harith, her father, I want our children to be known as the sons and daughters of Jacob.”
Aliyah nodded, seeing his point. “It just sounds weird,” she said, wrinkling her nose.
“It takes some getting used to,” Jacob agreed. “But for tracing their lineage, I think it’s best.”
“I’ll have to think about that one,” Aliyah said honestly. “But I like the idea of following the tradition of the Prophet.”
There was an extended pause as Jacob resumed massaging both of Aliyah’s shoulders. Aliyah moaned, a relaxed smile creasing one side of her mouth.
“Well, since you’re feeling charitable,” Jacob said jokingly. “Deanna keeps asking if I’d take her as a second wife.”
Aliyah rolled her eyes and smirked. “And she keeps texting me, saying I should encourage you since she’s the mother of your children.”
Jacob shook his head as if humored by a memory. “The irony…” he said, a smirk lingering on his face.
Aliyah grunted, laughter in that sound. “Tell me about it.”
“She says I need to look at the bigger picture,” Jacob said, his voice more serious though it carried a trace of humor.
“What?” Aliyah said, humored disbelief in her tone. “I am the bigger picture.”
Jacob chuckled and shook his head. “I can’t argue with that.”
“Good,” Aliyah said with a grin as Jacob released her shoulders. “Because I’m too tired and pregnant to think about Deanna right now. She had her chance.”
Aliyah pushed herself to a standing position and walked toward the bathroom.
“But I feel sorry for her,” Jacob said, his tone reflective. “I really wish there was something more we could do to help.”
Aliyah drew in a deep breath and exhaled as she turned to face her husband in the open doorway of the bathroom. “I do too,” she said sincerely. “But not enough to make her part of the family.”
Jacob nodded. “I feel the same way,” he said. “But I can’t help feeling responsible for her though.”
Aliyah was silent, unsure what to say.
“I just feel we as men can do better,” he said, shaking his head in self-reproach. “There are so many single women out there fending for themselves.”
“You can’t save everybody,” Aliyah said quietly.
“And I’m not trying to,” Jacob said. “Even if I were to remarry Deanna, it wouldn’t be a full marriage.”
Aliyah was enflamed in jealous fury at the mere mention of the possibility. “What’s that supposed to mean?” she said, realizing too late that her tone sounded more bitter than curious.
“She asked if we could do the Sawda bint Zam’ah arrangement,” he said. “And I felt horrible saying no.”
Aliyah wrinkled her nose, offended that Deanna was trying to play the martyr. “She offered to give up all her nights to me?” There was disbelief in her tone.
“Yes,” Jacob said.
Aliyah lifted a shoulder in a shrug. “Then what’s the point of getting married if there won’t be any intimacy?”
Jacob was silent for some time as he seemed to be gathering his thoughts. “I think she just needs to feel like she has a family,” he said finally. “And with me providing consistent financial and emotional maintenance, I think she’ll feel like she’s part of something again.”
For a moment, Aliyah was moved and felt that it was something that Jacob should do, even if only for the blessings. But she quickly dismissed the thought. “She won’t be satisfied with only that,” Aliyah said finally. “At least not in the long run. If you marry her, she’ll be compliant at first. But then over time, she’ll start making more and more demands until you wonder how you got right back to where you started.”
Jacob chuckled, a half smile on his face. “I keep thinking the same thing,” he said.
“And keep thinking it,” Aliyah said, huffing. “It’s what’ll most likely happen.”
“But anyway, it’s not something I’m seriously considering,” Jacob said. “I don’t think I could handle it anyway. Just talking to her is an emotional trigger for me,” he said. “She needs someone who can appreciate who she’s trying to be today. I’m still stuck in the past.”
“Allah knows who’s best for her,” Aliyah said reflectively. “Let’s just make du’aa.”
“I am,” Jacob said sincerely. “Every day.”
Aliyah smirked. “Just make sure you specify that her husband should be someone other than you,” she said. “I didn’t sign up to be the other wife.”
Smiling, Jacob stood and walked over to Aliyah then drew her into an embrace. “You have nothing to worry about, baby,” he said, and she settled into his arms. “I’m just happy to have you as a wife at all, and insha’Allah, I’ll be content if you’re my only wife for the rest of my life.”
Also By Umm Zakiyyah
If I Should Speak
A Voice
Footsteps
Realities of Submission
Hearts We Lost
The Friendship Promise
Muslim Girl
UZ Short Story Collection
Order information available at ummzakiyyah.com/store
About the Author
Daughter of American converts to Islam, Umm Zakiyyah (also known by her birth name Ruby Moore), writes about the interfaith struggles of Muslims and Christians, and the intercultural, spiritual, and moral struggles of Muslims in America. Her work has earned praise from writers, professors, and filmmakers and has been translated into multiple languages.
To find out more about the author, visit ummzakiyyah.com or uzauthor.com, subscribe to her YouTube channel, follow her on Twitter, or join her Facebook page at facebook.com/ummzakiyyahpage
