Book Title: Time to Heal
Author: Norhafsah Hamid
Publisher: Iman Publication
Year published: 2022
ISBN: 9789672459361
Price: RM30.00
By Awang Muhammad Syahmi
Grief is not a disorder, a disease or a sign of weakness. It is an emotional, physical and spiritual necessity, the price you pay for love. The only cure for grief is to grieve. – Earl Grollman, bereavement counsellor
“Time to Heal” is a novel about grief, loss, and healing. It tells the story of Hassan, a young boy who is grieving the death of his twin brother, Hussin.
Hussin died of a rare illness when he was just 12 years old, and Hassan was devastated. He felt guilty for being alive when his brother was not, and he struggled to come to terms with his death.
Hassan’s parents were also struggling to cope with their grief, and they did not know how to help their son. They sent him to see a therapist, but Hassan did not feel like the therapist understood him. He felt like he was all alone in his grief.
One day, Hassan decided to visit Hussin’s grave. He sat down next to the grave and started to talk to Hussin. He told Hussin about all the things he was going through, and he asked Hussin for help. Hassan realised that he needed to find a way to let go of his guilt and to start living his life again.
In the days and weeks that follow, Hassan struggles to cope with his grief. He withdraws from his friends and family, and he starts to fail in school. He feels like he is going crazy, and he does not know how to make the pain go away.
One night, Hassan has a dream about Hussin. In the dream, Hussin tells Hassan that he needs to let go of his guilt and start living his life again. Hassan wakes up feeling refreshed and hopeful. He realises that he needs to find a way to move on from his grief, and he decides to become a doctor.
He wanted to help other people who are suffering from the same illness that had taken his brother’s life. He knew that he would never forget Hussin, but he also knew that he had to move on.
He goes back to school, and he starts to focus on his studies. He also starts volunteering at a local hospital, where he helps other children who are sick.
As Hassan helps other children, he starts to heal from his own grief. He realises that he can make a difference in the world, and he finds purpose in his life. He knows that Hussin would be proud of him, and he is grateful for the opportunity to help others.
“Time to Heal” is a beautiful and moving story that will stay with you long after you finish reading it. If you are looking for a book that will make you laugh, cry, and think, then I highly recommend this one.
This is a light story and very suitable for a beginner yet still have a lot of inputs and lessons to be learnt. What I love about this book is, how the writer emphasises an Islamic way of living in Hassan’s life and how he overcomes his reality with proper consultation. There is a surah for each chapter that is relevant to the story of that chapter, and it is made more informative with the use of a glossary and references from hadith and the Qur’an.
The plot construction was very steady, as if you were reading a journal or diary of someone else’s life. The language used in this novel is understandable and it is well-explained.
Amy, Nieza, and Hassan’s friendship goals strengthen the core of the plot. They are always together, through thick and thin. They never crossed a boundary and always encouraged each other to uphold Islam and be respectful of one another.
Hassan is, in my opinion, one of the luckiest people in the world! He is surrounded by caring people who always look out for him. Having parents like Nick and Maria was indeed a blessing!
This book tells us that being a good doctor is more than just saving people’s lives; it is also about teaching them about the quality of life we have in our borrowed time.
