Nearly a year has passed since I last shared this tale with another soul. There was so much to reveal, yet time seemed to slip through my fingers like sand. Leaving my comfort behind, I felt fragile and exposed. I needed to gather my thoughts and share my story as it unfolded, moment by moment.

I knew in my heart that I wasn’t the villain. I’ve never brought harm upon a single soul, not now or ever, yet the lies and whispers refuse to fade away. My adversary, on the other hand, admitted to causing pain and shattering lives over many years. Society, however, chose to extend forgiveness and empathy to him. How could this be, when it was I who tried to bring an end to his Evil deeds?

Why must I be the one who bears this burden? As I speak and share my tale, the eyes of those around me are filled with doubt and mistrust. I must endure their probing questions with answers they already know, all the while they scrutinize my every expression and gesture.

There’s an old saying, “A well-spun lie is better than a tangled truth.” Often, folks would rather choose the comfort of peace than the toil of uncovering the truth or setting things right.

My enemy was sly and tireless, a notaries liar, He swears falsely by the name of Allah 50 times a day, narcissist, and manipulator. He weaved the perfect story for each person, using values and rules he never held dear just to win them over. He spent hours with each person, maybe three at a time, for months without end.

He brought up the names of credible people as supposed witnesses, taking their words out of context to support his narrative. Even though they didn’t say anything, he used their reputations to give weight to his lies. Some of these honest folks stayed quiet because they didn’t want to be part of the mess, and he manipulated their silence to his advantage.

He cried and shared feelings with others, and when someone discovered his lies, he didn’t hesitate to turn on them and show his true colors.

Manipulation refers to the act of skillfully or unfairly influencing someone or something to achieve a desired outcome, often by deceptive or underhanded means. It may involve misleading or distorting facts, emotions, or perceptions to gain an advantage or control over a situation or person.

He made allies by convincing them that I was the threat, the enemy. When he found himself cornered and defenseless, he convinced them We were both devious, and it was better for them to keep their distance. He embodied the essence of Fitnah. I couldn’t bring myself to follow his dark path. In this battle, I knew many things might be permitted, but I refused to win through lies and deception.

Still, I managed to hurt him and give dignity back to the victims whose reputations he had smeared in the past.

Truth be told, I was unsure whether I ought to confide in someone or not. Speaking with a person without a pre-established rapport tends to make things difficult for me, rendering my communication style less desirable. Throughout my tough journey, most plot twists occurred due to external intervention. All I know is that sometimes Allah grants me the opportunity to fight back, not by directly combating my enemy, but by depriving him of the joy of hurting me repeatedly and maintaining my social balance. I must seize this opportunity rather than remain passive.