As Salaam Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu
A rewritten and expanded telling of M. Saeed Dehlvi’s classic tale of a young girl who finds Islam- and danger – amidst the harrowing religious conflicts of medieval Muslim Spain.
Experience first time what life was like in the splendid Muslim City of Cordoba, Spain. See through the eyes of Isabella as she struggles with her father’s Christian beliefs and finds that life is not always as easy as people think. Embark on a journey into history. Into the heart…. As you follow her on the path from darkness into light.
In A Luscious Garden
In a famous garden of Spain, well known for its beauty and freshness vying with the garden of Eden, which was always crowded by sight-seers, two learned men were engaged in a theological discussion in a corner. The sun at this time had completed its round and was preparing to set in the west; while the enchanting songs of birds returning to nests were exhilarating the passers-by. A Christian girl, whose name is given in history as Isabella, was also sitting with some friends in the garden and watching with delight the beauty of Nature. Aged about sixteen or seventeen she was the daughter of a Christian priest. In her "beauty and grace she looked like a hourie of Paradise, and nobles and religious leaders aspired for her hand to make their lives happy and joyful, but her father wanted her to be the model of virgin Mary and did not want to give her away in marriage. Since she was being given religious training, she was well acquainted with religious matters and took keen interest in theological discussions.
In a bed of roses, in a corner, as stated above, sat some Muslims, who appeared to be men of learning, engaged in some discussion.
First man: Saint Paul has written in one of his letters[ Epistle to the Galatians, 3 : 10] that religious law is a curse and Jesus Christ came to relieve us from that curse. What after all does this mean?
Second man (laughing): You want to understand it from me, although even Christian priests... . . .Isabella, who was sitting at a little distance with her girl friends was alerted on the words "even Christian priests" and said to one of her friends: These Muslims seem to be talking about our religion. Let us hear quietly what they say. A friend responded: Since these Muslims have come here our religion is in great danger.Isabella: Stop talking. Keep quiet and let us hear what they say.First man: Muaz! You have said that even Christian priests do not understand it. Do you mean to say that they are following Christianity without understanding it?
Continued...