THE IDEAL MUSLIMAH

One day, a brilliantly beautiful and fragrant flower with attractive colors met a pearl that lives far in the bottom of the sea and has none of these characteristics. Both became acquainted with each other.

The flower said,

"Our family is large; roses and daisies are members of the family. And there are many other species that are various and countless; each has a distinctive scent, appearance .etc."

Suddenly, a tinge of distress appeared on the  flower.

"Nothing accounts for sorrow in your talk; so why are depressed?"

The pearl asked.

"Human beings deal with us carelessly; they slight us. They don't grow us for our sake but to get pleasure from our fragrance and beautiful appearance. They throw us on the street or in the garbage can after we are dispossessed of the most valuable properties; brilliance and fragrance."

The flower sighed. And then the flower said to the pearl,

"Speak to me about your life! How do you live? How do you feel it? You are buried in the bottom of the sea."

The pearl answered,

"Although I have none of your distinctive colors and sweet scents, humans think I am precious. They do the impossible to procure me. They go on long journeys, dive deep in the seas searching for me. You might be astounded to know that the further I lay, the more beautiful and brilliant I become. That's what upraises my value in their thought. I live in a thick shell isolated in the dark seas. However, I'm happy and proud to be in a safe zone far from wanton and mischievous hands and still the humans consider me highly valuable."

Do you know what the flower and the pearl symbolize?

The Flower is the unveiled woman (who shows her charms) and the Pearl is the veiled woman (who conceals her beauties).