Top 10 Quotes by Leila Aboulela

All through life there were distinctions - toilets for men, toilets for women; clothes for men, clothes for women - then, at the end, the graves are identical.

All through life there were distinctions - toilets for men, toilets for women; clothes for men, clothes for women - then, at the end, the graves are identical.

Leila Aboulela

Men, Clothes, Toilets

Leila Aboulela (2007). “Minaret: A Novel”, p.158, Grove/Atlantic, Inc.

Why do bad things happen? For pedagogical reasons, so that we can experience the power of Allah, catch a glimpse of Hell and fear it, so that we can practice seeking refuge in Him and, when relief comes give thanks to His mercy. Darkness was created so that, like plants, we could yearn and turn to the light.

Leila Aboulela

Light, Practice, Giving

The Mercy of Allah is an Ocean, Our sins are a lump of clay clenched between the beak of a pigeon. The pigeon is perched on the branch of a tree at the edge of that ocean.It only has to open it's beak

Leila Aboulela

Ocean, Tree, Clay

Leila Aboulela (2015). “Minaret”, p.5, Bloomsbury Publishing

I wanted to be good but I wasn't sure if I was prepared

Leila Aboulela

Be Good, Wanted, Prepared

Leila Aboulela (2015). “Minaret”, p.145, Bloomsbury Publishing

I must settle for freedom in this modern time

Leila Aboulela

Modern, Settling, Modern Times

Leila Aboulela (2015). “Minaret”, p.131, Bloomsbury Publishing

The sweetest things in life were not necessarily what one strove for and grabbed. Instead, many many times the All-Merciful, the All-Generous would give His servants without being petitioned, without waiting to be asked.

Leila Aboulela

Things In Life, Giving, Waiting

Leila Aboulela (2011). “Lyrics Alley: A Novel”, p.280, Grove/Atlantic, Inc.

Control yourself, it is not worth it. You will regret your rudeness afterwards, your sensitive nature will be troubled

Leila Aboulela

Regret, Rudeness, Sensitive

Leila Aboulela (2015). “Minaret”, p.126, Bloomsbury Publishing

I've come down in the world. I've slid to a place where the ceiling is low and there isn't much room for me to move.Most of the time I'm used to it ... I accepted my sentence and do not brood or look back. But sometimes a shift makes me remember. Routine is ruffled and a new start makes me suddenly conscious of what I've become -

Leila Aboulela

Moving, Ceilings, Routine

Leila Aboulela (2015). “Minaret”, p.4, Bloomsbury Publishing

Allah tests our patience and our fortitude. He tests out strength of faith. be patient and there will endless rewards for you, insha'Allah" - Utaz Badr

Leila Aboulela

Tests, Rewards, Patient