Read time: approx 15 - 20mins
Umm-e-Ayesha was aired during Ramadhan and focuses on the struggles of women wearing hijab in Pakistan including in the workplace and when searching for a marriage proposal. The drama offers many religious teachings during the spiritual month for the audience to reflect on, whilst challenging cultural attitudes. Let's take a deeper look at the successful execution of the drama...
Plot
Honestly speaking, the first few episodes did feel very preachy and somewhat annoying from Ayesha's character every 2mins referring to a hadith. It just felt very repetitive and robotic and I would've liked it more cleverly embedded within scenes. However, I think over the course of the drama, things balanced out a bit better and overall worked well for the plot. I also do like the fact that this narrative was aired during Ramadhan as something a bit more meaningful rather than the typical rom-coms which realistically have no relevance or correlation with being aired in Ramadhan.
It's actually quite sad to see though the fact that there was a drama that needed to be shown to highlight the struggles of wearing hijab within our society. Why does our society see the hijab as a problem when it's literally a commandment of our religion? Typically, Pakistanis do emphasise pardah and modesty when it comes to wearing a dupatta so I fail to understand when a girl is abiding by the same principle with wearing the hijab why culture suddenly looks down upon that?? Why was Ayesha's own mother requesting her to take off her hijab to attend a wedding to "look prettier" and send a proposal pictures without hijab? Ye kaha ki sense hai? It's like saying send pictures without a dupatta but then that wouldn't be seen as shareef??
Similarly, why was hijab being shown to be a barrier to job seeking? Why does my appearance affect the quality of a desk-based office job? Surely, job ka lina dina kaam ke quality see hote hai, apne merit pi hote hai? I simply fail to understand why the hijab was becoming the biggest issue in the workplace. Okay, and if the reasoning behind this is to "look modern and stylish and presentable" in front of clients to bring in business deals, then again why are we pinpointing the person's personal clothing choices and basing off a business deal from here or seeing this as a hindrance? Literally apne kaam si kaam rakha karo please.
Ayesha as a character was somewhat relatable to me personally too, but became an inspiration for Allah pe yakeen rakho when she was basically getting messed around with proposals. I get it that guys typically want to see someone pretty to the eyes to say yes for a rishta but why did nobody see Ayesha's nature and mannerisms as literally wife material?? On top of that, why did it not cross anybody's mind that because she wears hijab, she has protected herself from the male gaze, so she would only dress and beautify herself for her husband. I think that's pure loyalty that nobody respects or values. But I loved when she highlighted this to Aswad after they got married, as the thought really resonated with me personally too.
I do wonder though as a British Pakistani hijabi, whether these such issues are still prevalent in Pakistan and whether this drama offered a change of mindset and attitudes...
Casting
Nimra Khan is seen to play the role of Ayesha who is a hijabi in Pakistan, highlighting issues such women face, particularly in the workplace and in marriage. Whilst the role very much suited her, I can't help but think as to whether our showbiz industry would ever in reality introduce, or should I say, allow hijabi actresses into regular TV shows. It's definitely something worth thinking about otherwise the industry could be seen as discriminative or objective when it comes to selecting women who fit a "fashionable, modern look". On the flip side, I wonder whether playing such roles these actresses have actually re-thought their own spiritual journey or maintained such teachings of religion in their own life but perhaps had to downplay this, remembering the environment they work in...
Rehma Zaman as Javeria was most definitely my favourite character! She's probably one of very few supporting characters who I thought played a meaningful role and had a good amount of scenes and dialogues. Surprisingly, although she is the younger sister of Ayesha and doesn't wear hijab herself, her character didn't come across as what I initially thought would be: "I'm better than you and prettier, who cares what you have to say". Javeria was still an empowering character, who was supportive of her sister and stood by her at all times. She was quite a fun-loving girl "naughty" girl and her relationship with her sister Ayesha was very believable and light-hearted to watch.
Omer Shehzad as Aswad definitely had his ups and downs in the character. It was a bit disappointing to see the lack of emotional acting from him during his "transformation" towards the end of the drama. Unfortunately, I feel his acting was quite flat where it shouldn't have been and he didn't offer enough emotional screen time during significant scenes. His dialogues also came across as "not conveying enough" for me personally too, therefore lacking any sort of on-screen chemistry with co-star Nimra Khan. Even his "pyar ka izhar" moment was so meaningless that even for an audience it was unbelievable. But he made up for this in the voice message he sent Ayesha later on, explaining exactly what it was that caused a change of heart in him for Ayesha, making it more believable for us and Ayesha. On the flip side, I do think Omer Shehzad's "real acting" came out in the 2nd last episode when he was clearly very angry with Anushay going over to Ayesha's house. This scene was like a "jhalak" reminder of his previous negative roles in Gul o Gulzar and Beyreham.
Key teachings
Allah par yakeen rakho. Despite multiple rejected marriage proposals and even Ayesha's younger sister getting a good proposal before her, not once did we see Ayesha na umeed from her Rabb. She only ever prayed to Allah for what would be best for her, and although she faced many hardships, things did turn out better for her in the end.
Allah apko behtar se nawaze ga. In the last two episodes, Ayesha mentions that she's been saving up to take her family Umrah but her mother said that this money is currently more useful for her marriage. After her marriage with Aswad, we see she asks for mu dekhay and Aswad asks for more time. Surprisingly, he then proceeded to take out Hajj tickets and this was honestly the best scene for me. She wished for Umrah and was blessed with Hajj.
Love one another for the sake of Allah and choose a life partner who cares for your akhirat. Aswad's change of heart towards Ayesha was due to the fact that he could see how pure and spiritually connected she was to her Rabb, and he wanted this sukoon for himself too. Ayesha encouraged him to pray and make dua and take out time for these things, and he listened to her and started praying regularly. Ayesha made him realise and value this life when he was about to end his life. These things gradually built up and left an impact on Aswad to completely change his mindset, and choosing Ayesha as his life partner would support him in building a stronger relationship with his Rabb.
Ending
It's quite rare that I actually like or enjoy the ending of dramas, but the ending for Umm-e-Ayesha was actually beautiful it brought tears to my eyes!
I really liked the lil romantic scene between Ayesha and Aswad when he genuinely compliments her beauty as different to other girls, it's like he's complimenting her inner beauty. But it's also finally nice to see Ayesha being complimented by someone after many rejected proposals, it was a nice confidence boost she deserved. I absolutely loved when Ayesha said that she always only ever wanted to dress up for her husband and she can finally do that. It cements her purpose and journey throughout the drama with a deeper more beautiful meaning, and it also acts as something for any hijabi to look forward to.
I do still have some slight confusion in my mind as to what exactly Ayesha loved about Aswad, who was mostly rude to her throughout the drama. Her character fell first but there was no clear reasoning as to why- maybe this is another embedded teaching ke Allah apke dil mei khud he mohabbat dalti hai. When Ayesha said "I love you" but Aswad responded with "I love you more" just felt so genuine from his character rather than a simple "I love you too".
Okay let's talk about the mu dekhay, this literally had me so happy for them. The entire scene was executed beautifully at a pace that highlighted emotions and reactions. Aswad's pure intentions for their relationship was heart winning! The fact that they're starting their relationship essentially with a trip to seek God's blessings is the most wholesome feeling. The fact that instead of gifting her the usual bangles or ring he wanted to fulfil her dil ki khwahish.
Okay, Anushay's ending wasn't too bad either, it was actually eye-opening. Honestly, I was just accepting the typical pagalpan/inacceptance to move on or a death scene but the drama highlighted a more loving scene. Ayesha's gentle nature and consistent patience are simply what won over Anushay. Ayesha approached Anushay offering sisterly love and hope to build a new relationship without bitterness. It's the fact that Ayesha is always calm with those who have wronged her without wishing bad for them, but rather trying to better the relationship simply for Allah ki razza. Ayesha spoke to Anushay as if she were Javeria, the cutest part was when she gave Anushay hope that she would find someone else jo uski qismat mei likha ho and Ayesha would dress her up as a bride herself. I feel this was a strong and promising scene to rebuild a positive relationship between the two moving forward and I would've liked to have potentially seen more of this.
Okay, the icing on the cake was when Ayesha and Aswad sang the naat together; it was the most wholesome ending ever that bought warmth to the entire relationship, symbolising the unity of them both. I was absolutely not expecting this but was so happy we got a glimpse of Omer Shehzad's singing voice.
Other things I would've liked to have seen were Javeria embracing hijab as I remember once playfully Ayesha suggested the idea to her. Also, it would've been good to see Ayesha progress into a more senior role in the workplace, proving and empowering that hijab is not a barrier but a strength! But, of course, the last 2 episodes had a lot going on anyway so it wouldn't be possible to fit in all my ideas 😅
