“A Beautiful Patience: A Memoir of Marriage, Motherhood, and a Mission to Gaza” by Samaiya Mushtaq is available for check out at the Islamic Resource Center library.
A Beautiful Patience: A Memoir of Marriage, Motherhood, and a Mission to Gaza (2026) is a heart-warming memoir about two physicians; Samaiya and her husband Mahmoud, and their time apart while Mahmoud joins a medical mission to occupied Gaza. Like many good people who feel compelled to help in any way they can, Mahmoud joins a cohort of other skilled physicians who feel called to use their valuable professional skills to help alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people.
Meanwhile, Samaiya must remain at home working and caring for the couple’s two young children while agonizing over her fears – what if the unthinkable happens and Mahmoud is killed?
On one level, this is a well-written and engaging love story about a young couple enduring and coping with tragedies and hardship while nurturing their relationship and maintaining their mental health. It is also an examination of the tremendous strength ordinary people gain from their relationship with Allah, from their families, and from close friends and how good people can share that strength for the benefit of others.
This true story details the beauty of faith and humanity and contrasts it with the ugliness of people who prioritize self-interest and only seem to be capable of hate, degradation, and murder.
Mahmoud, and his fellow volunteers, are called to serve because of their faith and desire to protect and connect with all whom Allah has created. Their humility, courage, and perseverance in the face of danger despite the overwhelming hopelessness is a lesson for all readers.
At the same time, Samaiya also serves by being a loving and patient mother for her young children and Mahmoud’s emotional rock as they communicate frequently via text and calls. Both roles are important and are done faithfully by the pair. This story is a glowing reminder of the importance of faith, love, and acceptance of Allah’s plan for us, no matter what form it takes.
