“I couldn’t believe that I married the guy every girl dreamed of — the one that frequented the masjid, volunteered, and cared for his family and friends.
But I started noticing the red flags after the wedding — his anger, how he wanted to control everything, and the way he belittled me. I thought maybe it was all in my head and that I should try harder. But it only got worse with time as he became physically abusive as well.
When I finally found the courage to leave and tell my parents, they turned me away.
I told them that he hurt me, even showing them the bruises, but that didn’t matter. To them, leaving my husband was something a “good wife” would never do. I tried to leave several times after, begging my parents to help, only to be sent back every single time. That’s when I realized, I was all alone.
I started questioning my faith — how could my “religious” family and “religious” husband put me through this abuse?
When I learned about Nisa Homes through a friend, I thought they would also blame me and tell me to go back.
But they didn’t. They took me in, they listened to me, believed me, and supported me. They never forced me to do anything – just helped me see the options available to me. They even helped me get back to Islam through halaqahs and connected me to an Imam who answered my questions and told me that abuse I endured was not okay.
Alhamdulillah, I have now moved out, found a great full time job, and frequent my local mosque as a volunteer. I believe Allah guided me to Nisa Homes – without them, I would be lost.” — Farheen
This story is based on a real Nisa Homes’ client. However, details and names have been changed to protect identities of all involved.
