A Message from the Heart

A lot has happened since the 24th of August, 2025. I suffered a stroke — a major setback that temporarily paralyzed the right side of my body, including my writing hand. The doctor said recovery could take up to eight months.

As a novelist who has published several novels and children’s books, I was devastated. Writing has always been my purpose, my passion, my way of connecting with others — and suddenly, it was gone. My relationship also took a difficult turn, and I found myself alone, physically and emotionally.

Despite having over 22,000 followers on TikTok and being an active writer on Medium, none of it seemed to matter anymore. I fell into a deep depression. Not being able to write or even speak clearly — my speech was slurred, my tonsils swollen — broke me. I moved into a lodge and stayed there for 47 days, trying to make sense of everything.

During that time, I questioned everything — my purpose, my faith, my worth. I kept asking, Why me? What did I do wrong? I had been working so hard to build an audience and a name for myself. But life had other plans.

As a Muslim, I turned to what I had been neglecting — my faith. I began praying more, reading my duas, and performing my salaah regularly. Even without a proper prayer mat, I chose the thinnest cloth so I could feel the pain of kneeling for hours — a reminder of humility and repentance. Slowly, my focus shifted from seeking validation to seeking forgiveness.

I cried. I prayed. For days, weeks, and months, I spoke to Allah — and by His mercy, I have now fully recovered.

Do I miss writing? Absolutely. It’s a part of who I am. Before my stroke, I was working on a novel titled The Favorite Son, already over 100,000 words in. My previous novel had more than 350,000 words. Writing has always been my greatest joy — but this experience changed me.

Now, I prioritize prayer. Between my full-time job and daily responsibilities, I’ve taken a step back from writing to focus on healing and faith. I’ve realized that when we come into this world, we bring nothing — and when we leave, we take nothing with us. Wealth, fame, and credibility mean nothing compared to our relationship with God.

To those reading this: remember, we are not here forever. One day, we will grow old, and the things we chase — followers, success, recognition — will fade. What remains is our soul and the deeds we’ve done.

I haven’t been active on Medium since August, and my subscription ended — but that’s okay. My priorities have changed. I still pray on a thin cloth every day, not because of guilt, but as a reminder that I have years of repentance ahead of me.

I won’t call my stroke an “awakening,” but it reminded me of how fragile life is. Imagine waking up unable to move your hand, struggling to speak, drive, or even breathe — wondering if God is coming to take you that very moment. I lived on crackers and cheese spread for weeks. I stopped eating meat, now eating only once a day. Life slowed down — but in that stillness, I found clarity.

To everyone who knows me — yes, I miss writing. But I’m grateful. My body is still healing, yet my mind has never been stronger. I no longer listen to music or seek validation online.

Social media growth, credibility, fame — they’re all temporary. Our time on earth is short.

So, if you take anything from my story, let it be this: Prioritize God in everything you do.