Rabeya
Rabeya symbolizes a practicing Muslim with logical views. She tries to grasp the essence of her religion and follows the religious traditions both outwardly and inwardly. She covers herself as it has been ordained in Islam and she does not consider it a hinderance in her social interactions. She wears abaya and lives with Muslim men, but she does not forget the limits which has been applied to her by Islam. She looks at the orders of Allah from logical point of view and understands that they are for the benefits of people. All the religious traditions help her in one way or other. She is not a conservative woman who confines herself within the four walls to act upon the religion. Instead, she is a liberal and creative woman with logical arguments about her religious ideals. People get amazed after talking to her because they could not imagine that a mystic and intellectual person might be found under a burka.
Islam
The most prevalent motif in the book is the misconception regarding Islam and Muslims. The author has given an insight into the Islamic culture and thought through the diverse characters in the book. The author has promulgated that Islam does not confine a person’s thought or bounds his personality. Instead, it provides the opportunity of learning by pondering over the Holy Koran, the diversity of creation and the universe. Islam provides a way of life which helps the characters in becoming the best versions of themselves. Rabeya is an epitome of a Muslim woman who enjoys freedom and exercises her intellect despite of covering herself. Yusef and other men in the book depict the diversity in Islamic culture.
Appearance
Another recurrent motif in the book is that appearances may be deceptive. The author has propagated through the novel that people should not be judged on the basis of their appearances. The novel is replete with instances where the taqwacores are judged based on their religious outlook. Rabeya has been taken as an orthodox Muslim woman but after knowing her, people get to know about her creativity and intelligence. Jehangir is also a Muslim who follows the religious traditions and he is often misunderstood but he possesses liberal ideas. All the characters demonstrate that the outlook can never define a person.
