You know how our society is when it comes to marriage. Every parent’s dream is to see their daughter in her husband’s house once she reaches a certain age. It is part of our religion and our culture, but sometimes the pressure gets so much that people forget that everything happens only when God says it is time. This is exactly what Safiyya Ummu Abdul is talking about in this story. She shows us how the rush to get married makes some girls make mistakes they regret for the rest of their lives. It is really sad when you think about it. People start asking "When are you getting married?" or "Are you refusing to marry?" as if they are the ones who decide when a person dies or gets born. The author really hits the nail on the head when she says that marriage, birth, and death are all things only God controls.
The story introduces us to Fatima, a very smart and hardworking lady. She is a water resources engineer at the Safiyyah Jibril University of Science and Technology. Imagine being so good at your job that the university picks you specifically to design a whole dam. That is Fatima for you. She is sitting in her office, focused on her drawings, trying to get things ready for the school's budget. But instead of people respecting her for her brains and her hard work, some see her as just a "Miss" who needs a man. It is so frustrating to read how she is treated. She is doing big things, but people are still looking down on her because she doesn't have a wedding ring on her finger. If you want to see more stories like this, you can download Hausa novels to see how different authors handle these social issues.
One of the most annoying parts of the story is when her boss, Professor Jabir, comes into her office. This man is old enough to be her grandfather, but he has no shame at all. He starts talking to her in a very creepy way. He told her, "Miss Fatima, take things easy, you don't have a husband yet who would relieve your tiredness" (translated from the Hausa text). Can you imagine that? He is basically saying her work doesn't matter because she has no man to go home to. Then he starts talking about her clothes and how she looks, telling her he wants to show her "pleasures she has never imagined." It is so disgusting. He even got close enough that they were breathing the same air. Fatima is not the type to just sit there and take it, though. She stood up and told him off, calling him an "old goat." I really liked her spirit there.
After that bad experience at work, Fatima goes home. Her family lives in an area called Madina, which is a very nice part of the kingdom of Qahɗanie. This kingdom is really interesting because it has a mix of Arab and Hausa history. The author explains how it was founded by Arab traders long ago, but over time, the Hausa people and their culture became the main thing. Even though they have Arab blood, they speak Hausa and follow Hausa traditions. It’s a place where religion and education are very important. You can find many stories set in unique places like this when you search for Hausa novels online. It makes the world of the story feel very real and different from the usual settings we see.
The next morning, we see a much better side of Fatima’s life. It is a tradition in her house that after the morning prayers, the younger ones go to greet the elders. Fatima goes to see her father, Alhaji Bello Yahuza, whom she calls Abbie. He is a very good man and very religious. When she enters his room, she sees him sitting on his prayer mat with the Quran in front of him. Fatima is very protective of her religion, so when she sees the Quran on the floor, she picks it up. She told him, "The honor of the Quran is too great to be placing it on the floor" (translated from the Hausa text). Her father didn't get angry; instead, he was proud of her. He told her that he is happy she cares so much about the things of God. It shows that Fatima isn't just a "modern girl" who forgot her roots; she is actually very grounded.
Fatima opens up to her father about the pressure she is feeling. She tells him about how Professor Jabir was harrassing her and how the son of the Waziri, Abdul-Barr, is also claiming he will "own" her whether she likes it or not. She is tired. She just wants to be left alone to do her work and live her life. Her father gives her the best advice. He tells her not to get tired and, most importantly, not to sell her dignity. He reminds her that she is the eldest child and she must stay strong. This part of the book really makes you feel for her. On one hand, she has this great career, but on the other hand, men are treating her like a prize to be won or a piece of meat. It is a heavy burden for anyone to carry.
The author, Safiyya Ummu Abdul, spends some time at the beginning of the book talking about how we raise girls. She says that from the time a girl is small, people start telling her that everything she does should be to please a man. Even when she dresses up and looks beautiful, instead of saying she looks good for herself, people say "You look good, you will catch a husband." This mindset is what makes some girls lose their way. They start thinking their only value is what a man thinks of them. Some even go as far as doing bad things just because they are desperate to get married. But the book reminds us that being single is not a sin. As long as a woman keeps herself pure and follows her religion, she is precious in the eyes of God. This is one of the best Hausa novels for anyone who wants to understand the silent struggles many women face in our society today.
Fatima’s journey is just beginning, and you can tell there is going to be a lot of drama. With people like Professor Jabir and Abdul-Barr around, she is going to have to fight for her respect. Her father is her biggest supporter, but he can't be everywhere with her. The story is titled "Ba Girin Girin Ba," which suggests that things are not always as they seem. There are going to be twists and turns. The author even warned us to have patience because more updates are coming. It feels like Fatima is going to face some big tests soon, and I am really rooting for her to come out on top without losing her character or her faith. The way the author describes the feelings of a woman who is being pressured by everyone around her is just so real.
If you enjoy stories that talk about real-life issues like family pressure, career struggles, and staying true to yourself, you should definitely check this one out. It is not just a simple love story; it is a story about a woman's value and her place in the world. You can find this novel and many other interesting ones on Taskar Novels. It is a great place to keep up with your favorite authors and discover new stories that will make you think and feel. Go and get your copy so we can talk more about what happens to Fatima and if she finally finds the peace she is looking for!
