𝕾𝖎𝖗𝖆𝖟'𝖘 𝕰𝖓𝖌𝖑𝖎𝖘𝖍

12/08/2026

Narrated `Abdullah bin Ka`b bin Malik:

Who, from among Ka`b's sons, was the guide of Ka`b when he became blind: I heard Ka`b bin Malik narrating the story of (the Ghazwa of) Tabuk in which he failed to take part. Ka`b said, "I did not remain behind Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) in any Ghazwa that he fought except the Ghazwa of Tabuk, and I failed to take part in the Ghazwa of Badr, but Allah did not admonish anyone who had not participated in it, for in fact, Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) had gone out in search of the caravan of Quraish till Allah made them (i.e. the Muslims) and their enemy meet without any appointment. I witnessed the night of Al-`Aqaba (pledge) with Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) when we pledged for Islam, and I would not exchange it for the Badr battle although the Badr battle is more popular amongst the people than it (i.e. Al-`Aqaba pledge). As for my news (in this battle of Tabuk), I had never been stronger or wealthier than I was when I remained behind the Prophet (ﷺ) in that Ghazwa. By Allah, never had I two she-camels before, but I had then at the time of this Ghazwa. Whenever Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) wanted to make a Ghazwa, he used to hide his intention by apparently referring to different Ghazwa till it was the time of that Ghazwa (of Tabuk) which Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) fought in severe heat, facing, a long journey, desert, and the great number of enemy. So the Prophet (ﷺ) announced to the Muslims clearly (their destination) so that they might get prepared for their Ghazwa. So he informed them clearly of the destination he was going to. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) was accompanied by a large number of Muslims who could not be listed in a book namely, a register." Ka`b added, "Any man who intended to be absent would think that the matter would remain hidden unless Allah revealed it through Divine Revelation. So Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) fought that Ghazwa at the time when the fruits had ripened and the shade looked pleasant. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and his companions prepared for the battle and I started to go out in order to get myself ready along with them, but I returned without doing anything. I would say to myself, 'I can do that.' So I kept on delaying it every now and then till the people got ready and Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and the Muslims along with him departed, and I had not prepared anything for my departure, and I said, I will prepare myself (for departure) one or two days after him, and then join them.' In the morning following their departure, I went out to get myself ready but returned having done nothing. Then again in the next morning, I went out to get ready but returned without doing anything. Such was the case with me till they hurried away and the battle was missed (by me). Even then I intended to depart to take them over. I wish I had done so! But it was not in my luck. So, after the departure of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ), whenever I went out and walked amongst the people (i.e, the remaining persons), it grieved me that I could see none around me, but one accused of hypocrisy or one of those weak men whom Allah had excused. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) did not remember me till he reached Tabuk. So while he was sitting amongst the people in Tabuk, he said, 'What did Ka`b do?' A man from Banu Salama said, 'O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! He has been stopped by his two Burdas (i.e. garments) and his looking at his own flanks with pride.' Then Mu`adh bin Jabal said, 'What a bad thing you have said! By Allah! O Allahs Apostle! We know nothing about him but good.' Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) kept silent." Ka`b bin Malik added, "When I heard that he (i.e. the Prophet (ﷺ) ) was on his way back to Medina. I got dipped in my concern, and began to think of false excuses, saying to myself, 'How can I avoid his anger tomorrow?' And I took the advice of wise member of my family in this matter. When it was said that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ), had come near all the evil false excuses abandoned from my mind and I knew well that I could never come out of this problem by forging a false statement. Then I decided firmly to speak the truth. So Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) arrived in the morning, and whenever he returned from a journey., he used to visit the Mosque first of all and offer a two-rak`at prayer therein and then sit for the people. So when he had done all that (this time), those who had failed to join the battle (of Tabuk) came and started offering (false) excuses and taking oaths before him. They were something over eighty men; Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) accepted the excuses they had expressed, took their pledge of allegiance asked for Allah's Forgiveness for them, and left the secrets of their hearts for Allah to judge. Then I came to him, and when I greeted him, he smiled a smile of an angry person and then said, 'Come on.' So I came walking till I sat before him. He said to me, 'What stopped you from joining us. Had you not purchased an animal For carrying you?' I answered, "Yes, O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! But by Allah, if I were sitting before any person from among the people of the world other than you, I would have avoided his anger with an excuse. By Allah, I have been bestowed with the power of speaking fluently and eloquently, but by Allah, I knew well that if today I tell you a lie to seek your favor, Allah would surely make you angry with me in the near future, but if I tell you the truth, though you will get angry because of it, I hope for Allah's Forgiveness. Really, by Allah, there was no excuse for me. By Allah, I had never been stronger or wealthier than I was when I remained behind you.' Then Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, 'As regards this man, he has surely told the truth. So get up till Allah decides your case.' I got up, and many men of Banu Salama followed me and said to me. 'By Allah, we never witnessed you doing any sin before this. Surely, you failed to offer excuse to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as the others who did not join him, have offered. The prayer of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) to Allah to forgive you would have been sufficient for you.' By Allah, they continued blaming me so much that I intended to return (to the Prophet) and accuse myself of having told a lie, but I said to them, 'Is there anybody else who has met the same fate as I have?' They replied, 'Yes, there are two men who have said the same thing as you have, and to both of them was given the same order as given to you.' I said, 'Who are they?' They replied, Murara bin Ar-Rabi Al- Amri and Hilal bin Umaiya Al-Waqifi.' By that they mentioned to me two pious men who had attended the Ghazwa (Battle) of Badr, and in whom there was an example for me. So I did not change my mind when they mentioned them to me. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) forbade all the Muslims to talk to us, the three aforesaid persons out of all those who had remained behind in that Ghazwa. So we kept away from the people and they changed their attitude towards us till the very land (where I lived) appeared strange to me as if I did not know it. We remained in that condition for fifty nights. As regards my two fellows, they remained in their houses and kept on weeping, but I was the youngest of them and the firmest of them, so I used to go out and witness the prayers along with the Muslims and roam about in the markets, but none would talk to me, and I would come to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and greet him while he was sitting In his gathering after the prayer, and I would wonder whether the Prophet (ﷺ) did move his lips in return to my greetings or not. Then I would offer my prayer near to him and look at him stealthily. When I was busy with my prayer, he would turn his face towards me, but when I turned my face to him, he would turn his face away from me. When this harsh attitude of the people lasted long, I walked till I scaled the wall of the garden of Abu Qatada who was my cousin and dearest person to me, and I offered my greetings to him. By Allah, he did not return my greetings. I said, 'O Abu Qatada! I beseech you by Allah! Do you know that I love Allah and His Apostle?' He kept quiet. I asked him again, beseeching him by Allah, but he remained silent. Then I asked him again in the Name of Allah. He said, "Allah and His Apostle know it better.' Thereupon my eyes flowed with tears and I returned and jumped over the wall." Ka`b added, "While I was walking in the market of Medina, suddenly I saw a Nabati (i.e. a Christian farmer) from the Nabatis of Sham who came to sell his grains in Medina, saying, 'Who will lead me to Ka`b bin Malik?' The people began to point (me) out for him till he came to me and handed me a letter from the king of Ghassan in which the following was written: "To proceed, I have been informed that your friend (i.e. the Prophet (ﷺ) ) has treated you harshly. Anyhow, Allah does not let you live at a place where you feel inferior and your right is lost. So join us, and we will console you." When I read it, I said to myself, 'This is also a sort of a test.' Then I took the letter to the oven and made a fire therein by burning it. When forty out of the fifty nights elapsed, behold ! There came to me the messenger of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and said, 'Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) orders you to keep away from your wife,' I said, 'Should I divorce her; or else! what should I do?' He said, 'No, only keep aloof from her and do not cohabit her.' The Prophet (ﷺ) sent the same message to my two fellows. Then I said to my wife. 'Go to your parents and remain with them till Allah gives His Verdict in this matter." Ka`b added, "The wife of Hilal bin Umaiya came to Apostle and said, 'O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Hilal bin Umaiya is a helpless old man who has no servant to attend on him. Do you dislike that I should serve him? ' He said, 'No (you can serve him) but he should not come near you.' She said, 'By Allah, he has no desire for anything. By, Allah, he has never ceased weeping till his case began till this day of his.' (continued...) (continuing... 1): -5.702:... ... On that, some of my family members said to me, 'Will you also ask Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) to permit your wife (to serve you) as he has permitted the wife of Hilal bin Umaiya to serve him?' I said, 'By Allah, I will not ask the permission of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) regarding her, for I do not know What Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) would say if I asked him to permit her (to serve me) while I am a young man.' Then I remained in that state for ten more nights after that till the period of fifty nights was completed starting from the time when Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) prohibited the people from talking to us. When I had offered the Fajr prayer on the 50th morning on the roof of one of our houses and while I was sitting in the condition which Allah described (in the Qur'an) i.e. my very soul seemed straitened to me and even the earth seemed narrow to me for all its spaciousness, there I heard the voice of one who had ascended the mountain of Sala' calling with his loudest voice, 'O Ka`b bin Malik! Be happy (by receiving good tidings).' I fell down in prostration before Allah, realizing that relief has come. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) had announced the acceptance of our repentance by Allah when he had offered the Fajr prayer. The people then went out to congratulate us. Some bringers of good tidings went out to my two fellows, and a horseman came to me in haste, and a man of Banu Aslam came running and ascended the mountain and his voice was swifter than the horse. When he (i.e. the man) whose voice I had heard, came to me conveying the good tidings, I took off my garments and dressed him with them; and by Allah, I owned no other garments than them on that day. Then I borrowed two garments and wore them and went to Allah's Apostle. The people started receiving me in batches, congratulating me on Allah's Acceptance of my repentance, saying, 'We congratulate you on Allah's Acceptance of your repentance." Ka`b further said, "When I entered the Mosque. I saw Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) sitting with the people around him. Talha bin Ubaidullah swiftly came to me, shook hands with me and congratulated me. By Allah, none of the Muhajirin (i.e. Emigrants) got up for me except him (i.e. Talha), and I will never forget this for Talha." Ka`b added, "When I greeted Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) he, his face being bright with joy, said "Be happy with the best day that you have got ever since your mother delivered you." Ka`b added, "I said to the Prophet (ﷺ) 'Is this forgiveness from you or from Allah?' He said, 'No, it is from Allah.' Whenever Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) became happy, his face would shine as if it were a piece of moon, and we all knew that characteristic of him. When I sat before him, I said, 'O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Because of the acceptance of my repentance I will give up all my wealth as alms for the Sake of Allah and His Apostle. Allah's Apostle said, 'Keep some of your wealth, as it will be better for you.' I said, 'So I will keep my share from Khaibar with me,' and added, 'O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Allah has saved me for telling the truth; so it is a part of my repentance not to tell but the truth as long as I am alive. By Allah, I do not know anyone of the Muslims whom Allah has helped fortelling the truth more than me. Since I have mentioned that truth to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) till today, I have never intended to tell a lie. I hope that Allah will also save me (from telling lies) the rest of my life. So Allah revealed to His Apostle the Verse:-- "Verily, Allah has forgiven the Prophet, the Muhajirin (i.e. Emigrants (up to His Saying) And be with those who are true (in word and deed)." (9.117-119) By Allah, Allah has never bestowed upon me, apart from His guiding me to Islam, a Greater blessing than the fact that I did not tell a lie to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) which would have caused me to perish as those who have told a lie perished, for Allah described those who told lies with the worst description He ever attributed to anybody else. Allah said:-- "They (i.e. the hypocrites) will swear by Allah to you when you return to them (up to His Saying) Certainly Allah is not pleased with the rebellious people-- " (9.95-96) Ka`b added, "We, the three persons, differed altogether from those whose excuses Allah's Apostle accepted when they swore to him. He took their pledge of allegiance and asked Allah to forgive them, but Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) left our case pending till Allah gave His Judgment about it. As for that Allah said):-- And to the three (He did for give also) who remained behind." (9.118) What Allah said (in this Verse) does not indicate our failure to take part in the Ghazwa, but it refers to the deferment of making a decision by the Prophet (ﷺ) about our case in contrast to the case of those who had taken an oath before him and he excused them by accepting their excuses.

Sahih al-Bukhari 4418

22/01/2026

The Story of Prophet Idris عليه السلام and the Angel of Death
Prophet Idris عليه السلام was among the earliest prophets sent to humanity. The Quran describes him in just a few words, but those words carry weight:

“And mention Idris in the Book. Indeed, he was a man of truth and a prophet. And We raised him to a high station.” (Surah Maryam 19:56–57)
Idris was known for deep worship, wisdom, and discipline. He taught people writing, knowledge, and justice. His days were filled with remembrance of Allah, and his nights with devotion. The angels knew him not as a distant name on earth, but as a soul whose deeds rose daily to the heavens.

According to narrations mentioned by scholars of tafsir, the Angel of Death once came to Idris in human form.
Idris recognized him and spoke with calm clarity.
“You are the Angel of Death,” Idris said.
“Yes,” the angel replied.

Idris then asked something unusual. Not out of fear, but out of longing.

“I wish to see how souls are taken, and how death truly feels, so I may increase in gratitude and obedience.”

By Allah’s permission, the Angel of Death carried Idris through the heavens. Idris saw wonders unseen by human eyes: angels in constant worship, realms ordered by divine command, and a reality far greater than the world he had left behind.

When they reached a high station, the Angel of Death received a command. Idris’s soul was to be taken there.

In that elevated place, between earth and heaven, Idris met his end. His soul was taken gently, and he was honored in a way no ordinary servant is. This is what many scholars understood from the verse: “We raised him to a high station.”

Whether every detail of this encounter is literal or symbolic, the message is clear.
Idris did not fear death.
He prepared for it.
He wanted to understand it so he could worship Allah better.

The Lesson
Death is not punishment for the righteous.
It is a meeting.
It is a transition.
It is an honor when a life is lived in truth.

Prophet Idris عليه السلام teaches us that elevation does not come from power or fame, but from consistency in faith, sincerity in worship, and honesty with Allah.

A short mention in the Quran.
A towering rank in the sight of Allah.
That is the legacy of Idris عليه السلام.

22/01/2026

Mouse here, pausing her editorial duties for a moment, with ink on her paws and crumbs on her cuffs, to tap the bell on the Gazette desk and ask for your kind attention. Victoria is beside me, pouring tea, nodding, and adding a plate of cake for fortification, because serious notes are always better read with something nourishing to hand.

First, and most importantly, thank you.

To the thousands who have welcomed Tales of The Glen into your homes, your hearts, your quiet corners, and your shared readings, and to those who have given something even rarer, your time, your words, your encouragement, and your beautifully written comments and stories, please know this:

You have built this beautiful place with us.

The Glen is what it is because of your generosity of spirit, your talent for noticing small wonders, and your kindness toward one another. Truly, you are a remarkable and gifted community, and Mouse would like it officially recorded in the Gazette ledgers.

Now, a small matter of clarity, laid gently on the table like a folded letter.

This Gazette, this Glen, and all works known as Tales of The Glen
are created only by Victoria Beata Limited.

Mouse works here.
Victoria works here.
The Glen Gazette is published here.

We do not work anywhere else, and we are not part of any other projects, pages, or ventures. Other folk in the wider world may be doing their own lovely things, similar or inspired, and we wish them well on their paths, but this particular path, with its firelight, hilltop lavender from the 2025 summer, and the chair that catches a cool breeze while your feet stay warm, belongs only to The Glen.

Because the noticeboard here has become rather busy, and the paths outside can be a little noisy, we kindly ask that anyone needing help, clarity, or reassurance reaches us by email, where things are quieter, steadier, and properly tended.

If you ever need us, please write to:
👉 [email protected]

That way, your message will be received with care, answered properly, and not lost in the bustle of passing chatter.

A final word, offered with warmth and care:

We will never ask you for card details, private payments, or anything of that sort. If something ever feels uncertain, please pause, take a breath, accept a cup of tea, and write to us by email. There are never too many checks, and anxiety is always welcome to rest by the fire for a while.

Mouse is now pushing a chair closer to the hearth. There is cake for strength, lavender for calm, a cool breath of air at the window, and a steady glow on the page.

Thank you for being here.
Thank you for helping one another.
Thank you for keeping The Glen a gentle place.

Signed, with ink, crumbs, and gratitude,

Mouse
Editor-in-Chief, The Glen Gazette

Victoria Beata
Author & Illustrator of Tales of The Glen
for Victoria Beata Ltd 🌿

May gentle things find you, and stay, always...

20/01/2026

BLISS AND BLISTERS.

Chapter 15.

By the time she arrived at his flat in GRA, dusk had begun to settle. She rushed to his flat and knocked.

He opened the door in a loose kaftan, his face pale but not as sick as she expected. Still, she didn’t question it.

“You shouldn’t have come,” he said softly, smiling. “But I’m glad you did.”

“You needed someone,” she replied, setting her bag down. “How are you feeling?”

He gestured toward the couch. “Sit. You look tired.”

She ignored that and checked his temperature instead. “You’re warm,” she said, frowning. “You need rest.”

He watched her closely, every movement, every line of worry on her face.

“You care too much,” he murmured. “I’ve never had someone look at me like that.” he said.

Her hand froze midair. “Please, don’t start.”

He smiled faintly. “Start what?”

“Those words. The kind that confuse the mind.”

He laughed lightly, raising his hands in surrender. “Alright, alright. No confusion. Just gratitude.”

Still, the softness in his tone unsettled her.

Minutes passed quietly. He sipped tea she made for him and eat the sumptuous rice she had prepared while she sat beside him, scrolling through her phone to distract herself.

Not comfortable with the awkward silence and wanting to use the opportunity, he began talking about his parents, his childhood, his loneliness. He told stories with warmth, weaving verses of Qur’an between them like someone who understood faith deeply.

And when he spoke about loss, his voice faltered. He spoke about the loss of his dad with so much pain that arike knew he was being sincere.

Without thinking, Arike placed a hand on his shoulder. “Allah will ease your pain.”

He looked up slowly. “You say that like you really mean it.”

“I do.”

Silence stretched again as he stared at her deep into her eyes making her uncomfortable.

He reached out, lightly covering her hand with his. “You remind me that good women still exists. See how you rushed down here, I am glad you are going to be my wife "

Her breath hitched. She withdrew her hand immediately. “Muyideen…”

“I’m sorry,” he said quickly.

“Wallahi, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”

But he had, and he knew it.

Something about his apology, quiet and sincere, made her heart flutter despite herself.

“You should rest,” she said, standing up

“Stay a little,” he murmured, his voice low. “Please, Just for company.”

She hesitated, the soldier in her saying no, the woman in her whispering he needs you.

So she sat again. Not too close, but close enough to hear his breathing while he smiled feeling victorious.

---

They spoke about everything and nothing.

About faith, destiny, and the ache of second chances.

He made her laugh and at interval, his silence made her look at him longer than she should.

Each word he chose was deliberate, kind, thoughtful, and laced with the subtle power of presence.

He didn’t touch her again, but his gaze did what his hands couldn’t.

“You know,” he said softly, “I prayed for peace. Then Allah sent you. You are so beautiful, so perfect and everything a man wants in a woman, I am not supposed to say this but you are my wife so permit me to say it. You are perfectly created and each day, I picture what it would feel like to have you in my arms, I am so blessed.”

Her heart thumped. “Don’t say that.”

“Why not?” he asked her but she couldn't say anything rather she struggled to breath, the woman in her taking over.

He smiled faintly.

He nodded slowly, leaning back, watching her with quiet intensity.

“I’ll be careful then,” he said. “But don’t stop caring.”

That broke something in her resolve. She looked away quickly, stood up again, and picked her bag.

“I should go.”

He rose too, though a little slower, feigning weakness. “Thank you for coming. I mean it.”

When she turned to leave, he spoke again this time softly, almost as a plea.

“Arike… if I ever hurt you, may Allah punish me.” he said to her.

She paused, her chest tightened, unsure why his words felt like both a promise and a trap.

She nodded and rushed out telling him to take care of himself.

Outside, the night was cool, but her skin burned.
Every word he’d spoken replayed in her mind, the tone, the timing, the eyes that said what his mouth didn’t.

She told herself it was harmless, that she could control herself. But as she drove home, her hands trembled on the steering wheel.

She didn’t know when she’d start visiting more often,

but that night was the beginning of it, the quiet slide into something she thought she could manage,

and he knew exactly how to lead.

©️Oyiza Ahmed.

19/01/2026

Nature......

19/01/2026

19/01/2026

Yes, dua can change what's written in your destiny. Even if something feels fixed, written or impossible - dua has the power to shift it. Not because you control fate, but because the One who wrote your destiny is the same One who told you to call upon Him. Sometimes the test was written, but so was the moment you'd raise your hands in the middle of the night, crying. So was the ease that follows. Nothing is too heavy for Allah to lift. Keep making dua - it's never wasted. 🤲🏻🤍

19/01/2026

Long ago, before the Curraghs had decided what they were going to be, the land was all muddle and memory. Water wandered where it pleased, trees grew sideways to listen better, and the mist practised arriving without being asked. It was a place full of stories but very few footsteps.

Into this place came the Wallaby.

He had travelled a long way, though he never said from where, and he found the ground strange beneath his feet. It was too soft for running and too wet for standing still. When he tried to walk, he slipped. When he tried to rest, the land sighed and shifted beneath him.

“This place is not made for me,” said the Wallaby politely.

The Curraghs heard him, because the Curraghs hear everything, and replied in the only way they know, by offering a question.

“If not you,” said the Curraghs, “then who?”

So the Wallaby tried again. He leant forward. He used his tail to balance. He lifted both feet together and hopped.

Ah.

The land held.

From that day on, the Wallaby learned the language of the Curraghs. He learnt where moss makes a road and where reeds hide water. He learned that brown leaves are not empty things but blankets for what sleeps beneath. He learned that the ground listens, and so he learned to move kindly.

At night, the old stories stirred.

The Tarroo-ushtey rolled deep below, heavy and dreaming, and the earth remembered how to tremble. The Cabbyl-ushtey watched reflections ripple and fade, still fond of faces but tired of trouble. Beneath the elder trees, the Mooinjer Veggey leaned close to their fungal ears and listened for carelessness.

The Wallaby greeted them all with respect. He did not boast. He did not challenge. He wore a little coat when it was cold, and sometimes a knitted hat, because warmth, he discovered, is a form of courtesy.

People began to glimpse him at the edges of things. A hop where there should not be one. A pause in the mist. A kind face bending to the leaves. They wondered what his name might be.

The Wallaby never told them.

Instead, he would hop up onto the mossy highway, that narrow green path shaped exactly to his knowing, and look back as if to say, “Come along, if you can.”

Some tried to follow. The path twisted. The Curraghs folded themselves gently. The Wallaby disappeared, leaving only the feeling that something important had just passed by.

And that, Best Beloved, is why the Wallaby still lives in the Curraghs.

And if you would like to hear more, well then, follow along. Come and pull up a chair. I’ll pour you another cup of something warm, just as it should be, and put this rug over your shoulders so the cold doesn’t interrupt the listening.

Settle in.

There are more stories here, waiting to be told, and now that you’ve arrived, we may as well begin.

Victoria Beata, Author of The Tales of The Glen Books
May gentle things find you often, and stay a while

17/01/2026

Thru the horizon, Flamingos in Dholavira
17/01/2026
Nikon D850 Nikkor 200-500