FORCED MARRIAGE! (AUREN KADDARA KO KIYAYYA!)

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful...
Introduction: First and foremost, marriage is a lifelong partnership between a man and a woman, built upon mutual consent, the blessings of both families, and the fulfillment of specific cultural and religious conditions.
Forced Marriage: This refers to the act of compelling a young man or a young woman into a marriage with someone whom either of them neither desires nor loves. Most often, this coercion is orchestrated by parents and grandparents.

CHAPTER ONE

She sat before her grandfather, Mallam Buba Mak’eri, doing absolutely nothing but weeping bitterly from the depths of her soul!
In a raging fury, Mallam Buba barked, "You heard exactly what I said! So, you think you are completely untamable, Ma’u? I lay down the absolute law, and you think you can just kick it aside and walk away? You do this because you look down on me—you and that wretched mother of yours! Let me tell you, from your father down to your mother, I hold ultimate authority over them all! This marriage is happening without delay! You can either accept it willingly as a marriage of love, or you will take it by force as a FORCED MARRIAGE!"
Filled with absolute terror, she raised her head, gazing at Baba Mallam (her grandfather) as tears gushed from her eyes like an open tap!
Clinging tightly to his legs, she pleaded, "For Allah's sake, Grandpa, have mercy on me! I swear I utterly detest that old man; he is old enough to be my own father! Please help me! Match me with anyone else, Grandpa...!"
The sharp slap that Grandpa delivered across Ma'u's face instantly cut her off. He then began to beat her mercilessly across her body with the prayer beads (Tasbaha) in his hand! Her agonizing screams echoed through the compound, drawing out the entire extended family from the deep corridors of the house. They stood by, watching Ma'u weep, but none dared to step in to rescue her for fear of incurring Grandpa’s terrible wrath.
Raising his voice to a booming crescendo, he bellowed, "Ha! Is there anyone in this entire household who dares to argue with me except you, Ma’u? Well, you have brought misery upon yourself, because you have only provoked me to move your wedding date even closer! Even if it means you die in Alhaji Kalle's house, I would be much happier with that outcome than allowing you to marry that worthless, foolish boy you love, Kamalu! What does he even have? What has he achieved? If you truly understood the sheer depth of their family's poverty, you wouldn't dream of loving him! Their poverty is hereditary—it runs deep in their bloodline!"
In deep anguish, Ma’u picked herself up and ran straight to their section of the house, throwing herself into her mother's arms and weeping as if her very soul were escaping her body!
Fuming with rage, Grandpa marched away from the entrance of his room, which was located on the eastern side of the compound. Spotting a plastic kettle (buta) sitting along the exit pathway, he kicked it violently out of the way, muttering, "Worthless hypocrites! And the rest of you standing there, what on earth are you staring at?" He glared fiercely at his daughters-in-law, who had come out to gossip. One by one, they silently slipped back into their respective quarters, knowing Grandpa's volatile nature all too well.
Lami looked at her daughter, her heart breaking with sorrow. She whispered, "Please be patient, Asma’u. Accept Baba Mallam's choice; it is the only way out for us. You know very well that neither I nor your father possesses the authority to oppose him. There is not a single soul in this house who can break his law! Do not let your heart mislead you into rebellion. Leave everything in the hands of Allah. You know full well that FORCED MARRIAGE did not start with you in this house, nor will it end with you!"
Asma’u sat up, looking at her mother while tightly grasping her hands. She cried, "So, Inna, you are all just going to stand by and watch Baba Mallam subject me to a FORCED MARRIAGE?! All because he wants to achieve his own selfish goals fueled by an insatiable greed for worldly wealth! I swear I utterly detest Alhaji Kalle, Inna! I do not love him, and I can never live with him! He is too old! His own biological children are older than me! He only wants to marry me out of a lustful heart and sheer self-gratification! That is why he showered Grandpa with money, ensuring he would hand me over to him by force! Tell me, what kind of tradition or religion is this?! I fail to see the purpose of these dark marriages forced upon us in this family..."
Asma'u dissolved into another fresh wave of heavy weeping. Inna Lami, with tears of profound pity streaming down her own beautiful face, continued to gently soothe Asma’u, whose eyes had become severely swollen and bloodshot from crying.

CHAPTER TWO

By the Pen of Nabeela Dikko
Within Kebbi State lies a local government area known as Argungu. It is a major, densely populated town blessed with highly educated men and women who serve as civil servants across various sectors. Furthermore, Allah has immensely blessed the town with abundant natural resources, featuring large, vibrant rivers renowned for their massive fish. The vast majority of the inhabitants share a common ancestry, comprising the Kabawa, Lekayawa, Fulani, Zabarmawa, and Gobirawa ethnic groups. Their primary occupations include rice farming, vegetable cultivation, and trading. They are a people deeply rooted in their cultural heritage and hereditary family trades. Argungu is the historical home of the authentic Kabawa people, who have gained immense fame both within and outside Nigeria. They achieved monumental recognition primarily due to the annual Grand Fishing Festival conducted at the end of every year.
Within this town lies a neighborhood called Gobirawa. In the distant past, the area was predominantly inhabited by the Zabarmawa, but over time, the Hausa population grew to become the majority. The household of Mallam Aminu is located in this neighborhood, situated on the third street, just east of the Sheikh Bashir Mosque.
Mallam Aminu is an exceptionally righteous, dark-skinned man of impressive height and build, possessing a natural dignity and charisma that instantly identifies him as an Islamic scholar dedicated to propagation (Da'awa). Coming from the lineage of the town's chief Islamic scholar, their entire household consists of learned scholars, with him being the primary custodian of the family legacy. He has established himself as a highly respected senior scholar within Kebbi State and its surrounding regions. Allah blessed him with profound knowledge, and he regularly conducts Islamic classes for a vast number of students. He is married to a single wife, Malama Juwairiyya, who runs her own independent Islamic school for women. She is a beautiful, remarkably kind, and admirable woman, deeply grounded in Islamic knowledge, possessing excellent manners and a profound respect for human dignity. Their union is blessed with three children: Muhammad Yaseer, Yaseera, and their youngest, Abdulraheem. Their children were raised under exemplary conditions, balancing solid Islamic grounding with modern education and impeccable moral training. Muhammad Yaseer is currently studying medicine at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. Yaseera successfully completed her secondary education at an all-girls high school this year, while Abdul is about to transition into his first year of junior secondary school. All the children share a tight-knit bond, are highly knowledgeable, and have completely memorized the Holy Qur'an alongside various classical text; they are exceptionally good-looking, deeply obedient, modest, and well-mannered.
As was the custom in their household whether the patriarch was traveling or at home, the family gathered for collective learning sessions from before the dawn prayers (Asuba) until sunrise. Mallam sat surrounded by his family, guiding them through their recitations. Afterward, they offered collective prayers, and everyone wiped their faces in blessing. They then transitioned into a warm family conversation, with each member freely expressing their thoughts, aspirations, and desires. On this particular day, only Yaseera and Abdul were present at home, as Yaseer was away at university.
Mallam turned to his youngest son. "Abdul, I asked you a question earlier but you haven't given me an answer yet."
Abdul replied respectfully, "Abbu, I was thinking that once I complete my secondary school education, I would love for you to send me to the Islamic University of Madinah. I want to specialize in Islamic medicine."
Mallam smiled warmly, extending his hand to share a warm handshake with Abdul. "Masha Allah. May Allah fulfill your noble aspiration, Abdulraheem. However, you must remember that we live within the modest means that Allah provides us; if Allah decrees it to happen, I will be deeply pleased. May Allah continue to bless and sustain us."
"Amen, ya Rabbi," Umma replied, as she and Yaseera shared a lighthearted laugh at Abdul's grand ambition.
"I see your lips moving, what about you? What is your heart's desire?" Umma asked Yaseera with a gentle smile.
Yaseera turned to her father. "Abbu, when am I going to proceed to the university?"
Abbu replied, "I have told you before, proceeding to the university will have to wait for now. Exercise a bit more patience; there is a specific plan I am currently considering regarding that matter."
Yaseera's countenance fell instantly. Her heart yearned to continue her studies immediately, and she worriedly thought to herself that perhaps her father would not allow her to fulfill her academic dreams. However, maintaining her excellent manners, she spoke aloud, "Very well, Abbu. Thank you." She then stood up and headed to the kitchen to prepare the family's morning breakfast.
Abdul, well aware of his morning chores around Abbu's living room, swept the area alongside the outer courtyard. Afterward, he began washing Abbu's car. Since it was a Saturday, there was no regular school; they only had to attend their Islamic school from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, after which they would return home before heading back for the afternoon session from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
Mallam looked at his wife. "Juwairiyya, I believe the time has finally come for me to inform Yaseera about the husband I have chosen for her. I notice her intense passion for higher education, but my desire is for her to get married first; she can then comfortably pursue her university studies from her husband's house as a dignified, married woman. This will give me greater peace of mind, especially considering the terrifying times we live in, which are filled with moral decay and shocking events. I know she possesses great intellect, modesty, and self-control, but in this life, circumstances can change easily—whether by force, through hardship, or through ease."
He continued, "Therefore, I have resolved to select a righteous husband for her—someone who will cherish her with honesty and absolute trustworthiness. I am speaking of Najibullah, the son of Alaramma Usman..."
The moment the word 'marriage' left her father's lips, Yaseera lowered her gaze completely, her heart pounding frantically! Marriage was the furthest thing from her mind; her entire focus was on her education, which was why she consistently ignored any suitors who tried to approach her. Tears began to well up on her beautiful, radiant face, but she fought hard to swallow her tears silently. She listened intently as Abbu continued speaking.
"I know this news might sound like a dream to you, but it is reality. Since you were still in high school, his father and I had already discussed this union. As you know, Alaramma Usman and I are close companions; we travel to all Islamic lecture conventions together. He sought this honor from me, and I gladly accepted because I know the excellent upbringing and values I have instilled in you, Yaseera."
"Furthermore, Najib is a young man blessed with deep knowledge of both Islamic jurisprudence and modern education; he is a master of the Qur'an (Alaramma) in his own right, remarkably patient, and possesses profound respect for elders and exemplary manners. I am absolutely certain that your life will flourish in his home. He is financially capable of providing you with adequate sustenance, clothing, and healthcare, as he runs his own formal job alongside various business ventures. Moreover, he is fully committed to nurturing your education for the rest of your life."
"Currently, he is away in Madinah completing a six-month advanced course, a journey he undertook while you were completing your schooling. Insha Allah, we expect him back at the end of this month of Muharram. You will both meet, and the wedding ceremonies will be finalized. Afterward, if he permits you to continue your schooling, that is excellent; however, if he objects, you must patiently accept it."
"In conclusion, Yaseera, I am asking this of you as a favor: if you are not satisfied with the choice I have made for you, you have the full right to choose whomever your heart desires! A FORCED MARRIAGE is entirely invalid and unsustainable, as it only breeds endless domestic crises down the line! As your father, I simply deemed it my duty to identify the right man to receive your hand in marriage. It is my sacred responsibility to select a righteous, virtuous husband for you—someone whose religious commitment and character align perfectly with the injunctions of Allah (SWT) and the teachings of the Prophet of Mercy (SAW)."
"However, Allah has commanded us to fear Him and maintain absolute justice toward you. That is why I explicitly state that if you do not desire him, I know exactly how to communicate it to his family gracefully. Your ultimate happiness is our happiness."
He turned his gaze toward his wife. "Juwairiyya, is that not so?"
Umma replied smoothly, "That is absolutely correct, Abbu. Indeed, the approach you have taken is the ideal standard for any righteous father who truly cares about his daughter’s future—ensuring he knows exactly who his daughter is marrying, his religious standing, his household background, and his source of livelihood, so the girl never finds herself trapped in misery! Yaseera, I know you to be a deeply sensible girl. Therefore, compose yourself and reflect deeply upon your father's perspective. He is by no means coercing you, nor is he subjecting you to a FORCED MARRIAGE. Absolutely not! If you do not love him, simply tell us! We are merely seeking to fulfill the sacred duty that Allah has placed upon us regarding your future, just as you hold rights over us, Yaseera!"
"Therefore, it is mandatory upon us to discharge this duty. The Prophet (SAW) stated that the rights of a child over their parents are threefold: First, to teach them how to read and write. Second, to give them a beautiful name with a righteous meaning. Third, to marry them off once they attain maturity."
"Yaseera, we have provided you with both deep religious and modern education; you know how to worship your Creator perfectly, and you possess the knowledge to guard yourself against the fire of Hell... For Allah (SWT) states in the Holy Qur'an: 'O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones...' May Allah protect us all."
"Amen," Abbu voiced, deeply pleased by his wife's eloquent and structured words, feeling immensely proud to have a highly educated woman as the mother of his children. Her voice gently pulled him back from his thoughts.
She continued, "Furthermore, your father blessed you with a deeply meaningful name rooted in the Islamic tradition. Look around our society today; so many children are given names devoid of any substance or meaning, to the point that if you pressed their parents, they couldn't tell you the meaning of the names they call their children. Therefore, give thanks to Allah, Yaseera, because you intimately know the beautiful meaning of your own name, and you regularly come across the word 'Yaseerah' (meaning ease/gently) during your recitations of the Qur'an."
"Thus, we have done our absolute best to fulfill the first two rights; we now seek to complete the third right with the grace and blessing of Allah."
"Your father and I consulted extensively with one another before bringing this matter to you. Therefore, you do not need to look far for counsel; I have always been your closest confidante and advisor. Speak your mind freely to us, we are listening..." Umma concluded her speech, gazing warmly at her daughter, who kept her head lowered, absorbing every single word of their discourse.
Although this development was contrary to what her heart had initially envisioned, a profound realization began to settle within her mind. In a soft, gentle voice, she parted her lips, which felt remarkably heavy due to the immense modesty and profound respect she felt toward her parents.
Taking a calm breath, she spoke softly, "Abbu... Umma... I have absolutely nothing to say to you except to express my deepest gratitude. I request that you never feel the need to seek my permission or favor whenever you wish to decide a matter for me. You are my parents, and rendering absolute obedience to you is a mandatory duty upon me. I know deep down that you can never guide me toward a path that would ruin my life; you love me immensely! Indeed, you have given me everything in life. My ultimate prayer is for Allah to preserve your lives in perfect health, and grant us a beautiful, blessed end."
She raised her face to look at her parents, whose countenances had instantly lit up with radiant joy and profound happiness. Breaking into a warm smile herself, she added, "I am incredibly proud of you. Every single day, I pray to Allah to grant me a life just like yours. For that to happen, I must be blessed with a righteous husband. Therefore, Alhamdulillah, since Abbu has chosen Alaramma Najibullah for me—a man of solid faith, deep knowledge, and a custodian of the Qur'an—I accept and completely consent to this union! Even if outsiders choose to label my wedding as a FORCED MARRIAGE, I am entirely certain within my soul that it is a union chosen for me by parents who know exactly what is best for me. Therefore, on my part, this is absolutely not a FORCED MARRIAGE!"
"Umma, it is true that I hold rights over you, but the sacrifices you have made for me are far greater. You have fulfilled every single duty expected of a parent... I can never forget that in Surah Al-Isra, Allah (SWT) decrees: 'And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them...'"

THE HOUSE OF THE BLACKSMITHS (GIDAN MAK'ERA)

This is a massive household characterized by numerous deep, winding corridors and residential sections. Mallam Abubakar, popularly known as Baba Mallam or Mallam Buba, is the absolute patriarch and leader of the compound. He had two wives. His senior wife, Inna Karime, passed away several years ago, leaving behind nine children—five sons: Umar, Nasiru, Aliyu, Badaru, and Sani; and four daughters: Lubabatu, Sahura, Mariya, and Sakina. All of her children are married with families of their own, and some have even blessed the family with great-grandchildren. His second wife was Amina, whom they fondly called Anna; Mallam Buba divorced her a very long time ago due to his constant, volatile arguments and aggressive temperament. Currently, he lives alone, entirely defined by his uncompromising character. Anna bore six children for Mallam Buba—five daughters: Zainab, Ruqayya, Hassana, Usaina, and Aisha; and an only son, Yusuf, who happens to be the eldest among her children and the biological father of Asma'u. Ever since Anna departed from Mallam Buba's house, she remarried and relocated to the village of Felande, where she currently resides alongside two sons, Idirisu and Mustafa, whom she blest her new marriage with.
Within the massive compound, every single resident harbors a terrifying fear of Baba Mallam. He is an uncompromising traditionalist governed by a strict set of personal doctrines and absolute rules; he single-handedly arranges marriages and executes divorces at will, and ancient customs dominate his entire existence. All of his adult sons reside within the same massive family house with their respective wives and children, each family occupying their own specific corridor or section.
Mallam Buba's house is a true ancestral home where children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren cohabit. From generation to generation, the hereditary trade of the household has always been blacksmithing—forging tools such as knives (wuk'a), machetes (adda), tool handles (b'ota), axes (gatari), sickles, needles, and various metallic implements. This hereditary occupation is the precise reason why the compound is universally recognized across the town as Gidan Mak'era (The House of the Blacksmiths). They also provide neighborhood assistance with fire-starting tools and other communal smithing services.
The moment any young girl in the compound approaches marriageable age, Mallam Buba personally selects a husband for her and forces the marriage through—a rule he applied from his own biological sons and daughters down to his numerous granddaughters. Consequently, petty gossip, jealousy, and intense rivalry thrive within the compound, as every faction holds an arrogant pride over the other. This widespread toxicity stems primarily from a total lack of formal education among the family members and the wives whom Baba Mallam typically scouts and marries into the family.
The residential section belonging to Yusuf stands out completely from the rest of the household. This is because Yusuf was blessed with an exceptionally virtuous, kind-hearted wife named Sadiya, popularly known as Lami, who happens to be the daughter of the local Imam. Their union produced three daughters—Asma'u, Sauda, and Baraka—all of whom were raised with exceptional morals and discipline.
The rest of the extended family harbors a deep-seated resentment toward Lami, mockingly labeling her as "the mother of girls" simply because she has not given birth to a male child. They subject her to constant hostility. The only shield she enjoys in the house is Baba Mallam himself, as the patriarch displays no bias or discrimination; he ruthlessly disciplines anyone who dares to cross his established rules regardless of faction. All the other men in the compound harbor intense jealousy toward Yusuf because he is the only male child from his mother's room, and he constantly supports his younger sisters, who in turn render absolute loyalty to him. Periodically, Yusuf and his family travel down to the town where his mother, Anna, currently resides to check on her well-being, showering her with tremendous financial care and gifts. Asma'u and her sisters share a deep affection for their paternal aunts, as they are the only ones in the extended family who show genuine love to their mother, Lami. Because Yusuf relies entirely on himself and his sisters for his affairs, he has effectively isolated his household from the rest of the compound. His wife, Lami, enjoys absolutely no peace or socialization among her envious sisters-in-law and co-wives, who constantly gang up to plot intrigue, gossip, and hypocritical schemes against her. Among all of Mallam Buba's sons, Yusuf is by far the most financially prosperous and stable. Consequently, he regularly gives large sums of money to Baba Mallam, which makes the patriarch deeply fond of him and his children. However, on certain occasions, Yusuf compromises his own values due to a hidden materialistic streak and a desire for worldly validation. The single major point of friction between Yusuf and his father arose from Yusuf's stubborn insistence on giving his children modern Western education, whereas the household custom strictly permitted Islamic/Arabic studies alone. Asma'u was the sole star of the family who successfully graduated from high school. Following her graduation, Mallam Buba took a solemn oath that no other child in his compound would ever taste Western education as long as he breathed! This friction is the exact reason why Mallam Buba is currently forcing a marriage upon Asma'u, having personally selected a highly wealthy suitor for her. While the entire compound rejoices maliciously over the forced arrangement to mock them, Asma'u and her parents are trapped in deep sorrow. They have no choice but to endure the situation quietly to avoid triggering Baba Mallam's explosive rage. In Yusuf's mind, having already broken his father's law by allowing Asma'u to acquire a high school education, he feels completely powerless to stop this arranged marriage. Even though he knows he has been blessed with a wonderfully respectful, obedient, beautiful, and educated daughter, his heart bleeds with sorrow knowing she is being forced to marry an uneducated, ignorant man like Alhaji Kalle—a man who is easily older than Yusuf himself, and who already possesses three wives and a mountain of children whose exact number he can barely track.
Within just one week of the announcement, Asma'u lost a significant amount of weight and grew dark from intense worry! Her mind was flooded with a million desperate thoughts, including running away from home... yet she felt a deep pity for her own life and the reputation of her parents, knowing fully well that a young woman fleeing her home brings absolute ruin to her life and family name.
She felt completely lost; she was being violently torn apart from Kamalu, the young, age-appropriate man she truly loved, to be subjected to a FORCED MARRIAGE with a man old enough to be her father! Worse still, there was absolutely no one in the family who showed any sign of standing up to halt Baba Mallam's absolute tyranny.
Despite her natural modesty and excellent upbringing, Asma'u resolved to discard her manners whenever Alhaji Kalle visited the compound, aggressively lashing out at him with bitter words. However, the old man merely laughed off her outbursts, displaying absolutely no sympathy, viewing her fierce resistance as mere childish immaturity.
As the days rolled on, the wedding timeline was fixed. With only one week remaining until the wedding day, Alhaji Kalle delivered the traditional bridal gifts (Kayan Lefe)—two massive, luxurious suitcases filled with expensive items, which he proudly displayed as a show of his immense wealth. Back in the compound, the envious relatives intensified their mockery, displaying open disdain and hostility toward Asma'u and her mother.
Seeking a brief escape from the toxic household, Asma'u fled to the residence of her paternal aunt, Gwaggo Hassana (Yusuf's younger sister). Gwaggo Hassana wrapped her in a warm embrace, gently consoling her and advising her to simply resign her fate to their father's ultimate choice. She reminded Asma'u that they, too, had been subjected to forced marriages in the past, yet they eventually found peace and were now happily settled with children of their own.
The wedding preparations accelerated across all fronts. Alhaji Kalle fully renovated his mansion, applying fresh paint to every corner, while his three existing wives laughed mockingly behind his back, teasingly labeling him as "the husband of a little toddler."

Key Structural Themes in this Segment

• The Cultural Contrast: The story beautifully juxtaposes two completely different societal structures: Gidan Mallam Aminu, a highly educated, structured, and deeply spiritual household where the forced arrangement is transformed into willing obedience through mutual respect, against Gidan Mak'era, an uneducated, traditionalist blacksmith compound ruled by raw tyranny, materialism, and domestic abuse.
• The Concept of "Auren Dole": Through Yaseera, the text argues that a marriage based on parental guidance can bring peace if the suitor is righteous, whereas through Asma'u, it highlights the cruelty of using marriage as a weapon of control and financial greed.
  Would you like to proceed with the next chapter or analyze specific character dynamics between Asma'u, Kamalu, and Alhaji Kalle?