The sheikh was silent. Then he nodded. “In the beginning,” he said, “so did Iqra —Read. It didn’t say read in Arabic. Just… read.”
His mother had given him the Roman English version three years ago, on the night he finished memorizing the thirtieth Juz . She’d said, “For when the Arabic feels heavy, beta. For when your heart needs the words, but your tongue is tired.” Holy Quran In Roman English
And so the Holy Quran in Roman English sat on Ayaan’s desk from that day on—not as a second choice, but as a second chance. Beside the golden Arabic. Together. One heart, two alphabets, one light. The sheikh was silent
He picked it up. Felt its cheap, smooth cover. Opened to Surah Ad-Duha . It didn’t say read in Arabic
Tom’s lip trembled. “He hasn’t abandoned me?” he whispered. “Even now?”