Mo died. January 24, 2002 - exactly 7 years ago.

Mo and I married May 1, 1994 we were married 7 years.

I thought about what to do on this day and I can only say that I must celebrate his life not his death. He was such a wonderful person and I miss him so but I thank God everyday he called him home. I thank God everyday that my MO is with him. Does this sound wierd, well we believe that God's decission is always correct and like my Mo said, "Whatever Allah decides, I am happy with."

THE FIRST TIME I SAW ANGELS


DEDICATION: This book is dedicated to MO, my late husband and best friend. Through his patience and understanding he taught me what real love was. He taught me to love Allah with all my heart and soul. He was my hero and truly my knight in shining armour. He gave up everything and died for the sake of Allah. He did not die in vain but lives with my Angels in Heaven. Celebrate his life and celebrate his death for surely I celebrate this day everyday of the remainder of my life. January 20, 1957 - January 24, 2002


PROLOGUE: This is the story of a man who loved Allah and a woman who married him. My name is Sara and this is our story. Through many hardships and many tears I learned to believe in miracles. I learned to believe with all my heart that God loved me special. This book is written from the heart, through the guidance of Allah (swt) and given to you with love.

You might say impossible or incredible, but I hope you will believe in Angels. Can I really see Angels or is this just the most beautiful story that you have ever heard. Our lives can be sniffed out in the snap of a finger or Allah can intervene and cause a miracle. He can cause 2 miracles or 3 miracles but what if he intervenes 100 times or more. Is it a coincidence or did he save me for a reason. I am humbled by my beginnings and I tell you that Allah’s love come with a price. Allah’s mercy comes with a price. Allah’s forgiveness comes with a price. But the reward of all three is Heaven. My live, death and sacrifice belongs to Allah. No matter how brief a miracle is, or how short ones life is, we all return to one God. .

I was born in a small town in Kentucky and I was raised in a semi-religious home where I went to church regularly but my family life was very strained. I guess you could say I was sort of like Cinderella. From the time I was 9 years old I cleaned and cooked and took care of my 2 younger sisters. I was the oldest child but not the favorite so I was turned aside a lot.

The best thing that happened that year was that I went to church camp for the first time. There I met a wonderful woman named Janie Arrowwood and she would change my life forever. She treated me like the most special person in the whole world and showed me how to love God. I was saved (accepted Jesus as my savior) that summer and there I began my journey of a lifetime.

After my encounter at church camp with Janie Arrowwood, I never saw or heard from her again. I went back and grew closer and closer to God so much that if frightened me. My mom found me a place in the church teaching Sunday School. As I became more and more religious I began to realize that my destiny was much more than being a Sunday School Teacher.

As the years went by, I was given some horrible tests but I realize today that in order to know extreme happiness that you have to know extreme sadness. Instead of growing closer to God I fell farther and farther apart from him.

I married an absolutely horrible man who beat me very badly. Before long I was blaming God for my miserable life and God was no longer super close to me. After 12 long years, the marriage ended and I searched for God again. I looked and looked for some 10 years and I could never again find that closeness. I went from church to church and finally I met someone who showed me how to be close to God again. I was given a copy of the Quran and 3 days later I was a Muslima (female form of Muslim).

On November 28, 1993, I became a Muslima. I signed my Shahadah Statement, which states” I bear witness that there is no God except Allah, and I bear witness that Mohammed is the messenger of Allah.” I believe that God is one, I believe in God’s Angels, his sacred books, his messenger and the Day of Judgment.

This all happened very quickly and only through Allah’s huge plan for my very small life. The beauty of Islam is that we pray 5 times a day and you prostrate on the ground. When you prostrate yourself before Allah you are so humbled and so close to him. It gave me a good feeling and I knew I was in the right religion. Prior to praying you must do wudu (washing of one’s self for purification; mouth, nose, face, ears, head and feet.

I joined a women’s class right away so I could study all the aspects of the religion. There was so much to injest. The first thing I had to do is remove my sculptured nails as this was not allowed. I had to remove all pictures and statues out of my house also. Angels do not come to homes were there are any images of people or animals.

We learned how to conduct ourselves in public and private. Everything I did was for the pleasure of Allah and every class I did more and more. I would read my Quran oven and over in hopes of being the best Muslima I could be.

As Muslims do not date, it is up to the women’s group to locate a husband for you. I was asked several times by the sisters if I was ready to get married and I always refused. I felt in order to get the best husband that I must be the best Muslim. After 6 months had passed, Sister Sheryl tells me that there is a brother looking for a wife. I agreed to see this brother and we left the subject alone. I was invited to a huge picnic and I did suspect that maybe this brother would be there, but I was told nothing.

At the picnic I was taking care of one of the sisters baby when Sheryl comes to me and tells me to look over at the driveway. I look up and there was a very handsome man dressed in olive green pants and suit coat. I started laughing and Sheryl ask me why. I told her “he is looking at me.” Sheryl tells me that he had to approve of my looks. He comes over and does his prayers in front of me and I was very nervous. I thought to myself that maybe I was not beautiful enough. At this point, he leaves the picnic and I was shocked. I could only imagine that he did not approve of me.

Exactly 3 days later my phone rings and I was told that the brother approved and wanted to meet me.

From that day forward my life was changed forever. I was opened up to Allah’s mercy and forgiveness and the beauty of Angels. I was introduced to a man 6 months later and his name was Mo. He would teach me how to love Allah more than my own life. The woman that introduced me told Mo that I was the best Muslima in the woman’s class. He was looking for a woman who would follow the Islamic ways exactly. As I was a very strong Muslima in my faith they chose me.

I hope that you will read my story and cry. I hope that you will read my story and weep. I hope you will read my story and believe in Angels. But most of all I want you to believe in the miracles that happened to me. Just close your eyes and take my hand and I will tell you the story of my Angels.



CHAPTER 1


I was pacing the floor waiting for MO to come and meet me. We were to be officially introduced at my friend Sheryl’s home. Islamic introductions required a chaperone and Sheryl and her husband were the host. Sheryl’s husband had told Mo about me and after he had approved of my looks it was now time to meet. Mo was taking us all to a Islamic Chinese restaurant. The door bell rings and I look at Sheryl and we both laugh. I bowed my head as Mo walked into the room. He said “Salem Alekum,” the normal Islamic greeting which means peace be with you. I looked up and told him “Wa Alekum Salem.” (and peace be to you) He tried to look at my eyes but I bowed my head again. I waited for him to talk and he said nothing. He sat very quietly and the room was filled with silence. I did not know what to do and so finally Sheryl spoke and said it was normal to question each other. Mo still never spoke so I finally told him that I was looking for a very religious man. A man who followed exactly Islam. He looks at me very shy and told me, “Most things we say should be in private as these questions were very personal.” I felt so embarrassed, I had said too much.

I go in the bedroom with Sheryl to prepare to go to dinner and I told Sheryl, “I am requiring Mo to be a strict Muslim and I do not cover my head except when I go to the Mosque.” She told me to tell him the truth and leave it up to God. I go back in the room and I tell him that I do not cover all the time. He looks at me again and says, “ You must cover for the love of Allah not for the love of a man.” The room was dead silent and I sat there with my mouth open. I thought to myself, This man is truly wonderful.

We go to dinner and I tried so hard to be a perfect Muslim and have perfect manners but I could not help it. MO started telling jokes and I burst out laughing. Sheryl scolds me and tells me that a proper woman would not laugh in public. I looked at Mo and he told me to say something. I talk very softly and he then imitates my southern accent. As he had a very heavy accent, it became too hilarious. He leans across the table and tells me to ignore Sheryl because I was just fine. MO was so funny and so handsome and I just could not believe how lucky I was.

At the conclusion of the evening, MO tells me that he wants to see me again. I told him that I must ask Sheryl’s permission. He argues that I did not need her permission and that we must see each other again. I ask Sheryl and she tells me that if we meet in a crowded place for coffee, that it would be acceptable. So MO gives me his pager number and ask for my phone number. He tells me that he will call me the next day. I was so impatient for Mo to call the next day but just as he had promised, he calls and we make plans to meet at the Big Boy restaurant close to my home. Hikmat was from Hawthorne and not familiar with Downey but assured me that he could find any place.

I go to the restaurant and I wait for Mo. We had a date for 9 PM and I went there a few minutes late so that I could look that I was not so anxious. He was no where to be seen. He had a big white 4 x4 so he would not be hard to miss. I waited till 11 PM and no Mo. I was heart broken as I so wanted this to work out. I had no choice but to accept Allah’s will and I went home. Upon arriving at my home, Hikmat telephones me and tells me he is lost. It was very late and not at all proper for such a phone call but Mo begged me over and over to meet him. I finally agree and I give him better instructions and I run to meet Hikmat at the coffee shop. By the time we both got there it is around 12am and the shop is closed. Hikmat comes over to my car and we talked for over 2 hours. He tells me that he felt the same way that Allah was not blessing our meeting. We laughed so much and his eyes twinkled and shined. He was very much a gentleman and never once tried anything improper. He leaves me and promises to call me.

The next day he calls me just as he promised and wants me to come to Hawthorne. We plan to meet at Denny’s restaurant very early. We met at the Denny’s close to the airport so it was very easy to find. Again we talked for hours and we asked each other many, many questions. I had forgotten that we were here to interview each other for marriage as he made me feel very comfortable. We agreed that we would take turns coming to each other’s neighborhood. The following day we met at Coco’s in Downey. Mo took me to the back corner of the restaurant as everyone was staring at us. A Muslim couple was in deed a rare site in Downy. I told Mo that I had prayed a lot about it and I had decided to cover all the time. I was a top real estate agent in one of the largest firms so this was a major decision. My whole income depended on my decisions. Mo was happy and told me that Allah would bless me. Hikmat ordered us a Belgium waffle with ice cream. Mo was always so much fun and he knew at least 300 jokes. I was always laughing and indeed Hikmat and I were happy. The next day tells me that he wants to take me to Hollywood. I had never been to Hollywood before and he tells me that he will show me where the stars have their walk of fame. I was hesitant but I agreed. He then takes me to a Zanko chicken restaurant and we have a late supper. Again he was very polite and very much a gentlemen. The next day we go to Baskin Robbins and have a banana split. Mo tells me that we will get one banana split and who ever eats the fastest gets the most. He places the banana split in front of us and hands me a spoon and we both dive into the banana split and devour the split in seconds. I laugh and laugh as he explains to me that back home if you don’t eat very fast that you don’t eat.

I go to my office for the first time with my scarf covering my head. My partner is shocked but says nothing and in walks my boss, Carol, and she screeches at me, “You don’t think you will sell any houses dressed like that do you?” I was horrified as I walk to the back office and there Gloria tells me that I will do fine and that she will support my decision to honor my religion. My heart sank and I go sit in my chair. I lowered my head and I asked Allah to help me with my new decision. I was so shy with my new appearance but I was positive that Allah would bless me. I was the only covered Muslim in all of Southern California so this was a huge step. I go and call Hikmat and tell him what happened and he reassured me that I had done the correct thing.

The next day we meet at Denny’s but he was all dressed up this time. We get there and he orders food for us and leans across the table and says to me, “Well, when shall we get married.” I dropped my fork and said, “What did you say?” He told me, “You know Sara, this is why we are meeting. In Islam we do not date and only meet to inquire about marriage. Ask me anything you want?” I look at him and I ask him, “Have you ever hit a woman?” He looks at me and says, “No, and I never will.” I smile at him and say, “Ok.” He looks at me and starts beating the table. “Yes, yes, yes, Allah Akbar.” I tell him, “Ok, when will we get married?” He tells me, “How about Sunday?” I was shocked, how could we possibly get married that soon. Mo explains to me that I must cleave to him and in Islam you must marry right away. He tells me that we could not keep meeting like this as the shaitan would intervene with us.

I go home and decide to go visit Sheryl. She was in the local hospital having a operation. I tell her what happened and she becomes angry. Mo had suggested getting married in the hospital so Sheryl could be there. She tells me that I must wait till she is home and she would not accept such a marriage in the hospital. I was crushed but I return to my home and phone Mo. Mo is horrified with what I tell him and he demands that I marry him on Sunday. After much talking, I give in as Mo says I am marrying him not Sheryl. We plan to marry on Sunday so I rush to buy myself a dress. My partner and best friend Elisa goes with me and I buy a designer dress which was light green. I looked heavenly in the dress. It was just beautiful and now I was ready to get married.

On Friday I meet Mo in Hawthorne and he takes me to the ocean. I had never seen the ocean before and the waves crashing against the beach was just heavenly. Mo went to buy us cheesecake. He bought brownie cheesecake and soda’s for us and we talked about how life would be together. Then Mo makes a very bad mistake. He tells me that we will be roommates. He tells me that life does not have to change for either one of us and that at the end of the day we are just roommates. I look at him and I say, “What did you say?” I tell him, “I am going to be your wife, not your roommate.” He tells me, “ You are going to be my best friend and that is more important than my wife.”

I go home and I am crushed. I was getting married to my roommate. I was not going to be a wife, but a best friend. The more I thought the more I became angry and then I exploded. No way was I marrying this “Turkey.”

I call Mo the next day and tell him I am not going to marry him. He pleads with me to meet him and we agree to meet one last time. We met in the parking lot of Coco’s and he comes to my car with tears in his eyes. He opens the door and lowers his head and slowly looks at me and tells me “You are my best friend and I just can’t loose you.” He breaks down and cries very hard in his hands. Never once trying to touch me as this is not allowed in Islam. He looks up at me and tells me how sorry he is for using the word roommate. He tells me that anyone can have a wife but what he wanted and needed was me, his best friend. I scream at him that I have been hurt in the past and that I will never be anyone’s plaything. I was a woman and I wanted a husband. The more I screamed the more he was calm. He never became angry at all. He told me “Lets go have a waffle with ice cream or go anywhere you want. I just want to spend some time with you.” Of course I gave in and we go inside and order our waffle. Everyone was laughing at us as we could not sit in the back of the restaurant as usual. But Mo took care of me and scolded anyone with his eyes that dare to insult or hurt me. I felt safe with Mo around and before long I could see that I belonged with Mo and he belonged with me.

Mo says to me, “ I prayed about us and whether we should get married.”

I ask him, “What did you see?”

He tells me, “You are going to die young, maybe 5 to 7 years from now, but I decided to marry you anyway.”

I gasp and tell him, “Oh, you decide to marry me anyway.”

He tells me, “Yes, Sara 5 years with you is better than a lifetime with anyone else.” He tells me that we belong together and he knew that we were marrying for the sake of Allah and our marriage would be blessed.

Life was funny as we began our life with tears and we would end our life with tears. Mo and I were married on May 1, 1994.


Just as he predicted, we would only be together for 7 years. His father died on our 7 year anniversary also. The story of Mo and me is long and many details left out but I thought you could celebrate his life with me and learn to love the man who I loved the most.

SARA