Let me tell you about Zaynab. I am a woman who loves life, loves service, and loves my Creator – but for years, I’ve been wrestling with a body that often feels like a stranger. My journey through chronic illness has not been a search for physical perfection; it has become a profound, often gruelling lesson in absolute trust – Tawakkul.

There are days when the weight of fatigue is so heavy that lifting my head feels like a victory. Sometimes the fear grows louder than my faith, and I admit, there are moments when I quietly wonder whether Allah still sees me through the tears I hide.

I remember one day, after yet another specialist appointment, I whispered to my friend, “I’m just so tired. I feel useless.”
He held my hand gently and said, “Zaynab, the strength you use just to get out of bed is an act of sabr that Allah rewards more than any outward work.”

His words struck me deeply. I realised that my illness was never a punishment – it was a pathway.

I had been focusing so much on the visible pain that I forgot the immense reward hidden within patience. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught us that no hardship touches a believer except that Allah wipes away some of their sins because of it. So every time I whisper Alhamdulillah through an ache, I am fighting a quiet spiritual battle, one that only He sees, and one for which only He can reward.

For a long time, I thought accepting my condition meant giving up. I believed that submission was a sign of defeat. But true surrender – taslim – is actually the greatest form of courage. It is saying, “Ya Allah, I cannot do this on my own anymore. Please, carry me.” It is releasing the burdens that are too heavy for me and seeking refuge in His limitless strength.

The moment I truly placed my struggle in Allah’s hands, something within me softened. I began to breathe again. My heart found rest in the certainty that His divine plan, al-qadar – is perfect, even when my circumstances feel confusing.

That is why I chose to write this book.

It is a reflection of this journey – a guide on choosing faith over fear and trusting that there is beauty and reward even in the battle. Beyond the Battle: Finding Strength in Chronic Illness was born from the quiet nights, the whispered prayers, and the determination to keep moving forward even when the path felt heavy beneath my feet.

If you are struggling, please know that you are not alone. What matters most is that we continue holding onto that connection with Allah, even if all we can manage is a trembling whisper of trust.

Zaynab T. Oyesomi