Nazifa Reha

In every society,
a tall figure and black eyes…
and a woman’s beauty
are counted as her pride,
her wealth,
her fortune.

But in my country,
a woman’s beauty brings
fear and dread—
to her father,
her mother,
and to the daughter herself.

A tall frame,
dark hair,
and enchanting eyes…
mean predators are lurking,
waiting to hunt.

Apparently,
the issue is not beauty.

O woman!
Your sin goes beyond charm
and lovely appearance.
Your greatest and unforgivable crime…
is simply being a woman.

It is as if
when so-called holy warriors
and pious men of God
look at you,
your body and your gender
open the gates of Hell before them.
And what crime
could be greater than this?

Ah, woman!
In other nations,
you are considered
a masterpiece of God.
But among my people,
you are seen as a curse—
like the Devil himself.

Tell me—
which one am I supposed to believe?

Ah, woman!
In this cursed land,
your very existence
is nothing but a source
of suffering and fear
for the man and woman
who committed the sin
of giving birth
to someone like you!

O woman!
Tell me—
what should I do with you?
What punishment,
what sentence
could ever be fit for you?

•

Editor's Note:
While presented in the form of a poem, Unforgivable Sin is not so much a piece of poetry—it is a raw, unbridled account of a dark truth. The author, with a very poetic voice, uncovers the stifling weights that women in Afghanistan bear. This poem does not idealize suffering; rather, it opposes it head-on, revealing a culture where beauty is a danger, and being a woman is a crime. The voice of the speaker captures this internalization of the injustice—expressing a haunting sense that to be born female is, in itself, an unforgivable wrong.

About the Author:
Nazifa Raha is a young Afghan writer who began her literary journey at the age of eighteen. After a brief pause, she returned to writing a year ago, capturing human experiences, cultural narratives, and societal struggles through her prose. Passionate about storytelling, she aspires to refine her craft and eventually venture into novel writing. Her works reflect the deep emotions of longing, injustice, and resilience, portraying both personal and collective realities. Writing solely in Persian, Nazifa hopes to share her voice with the world while staying true to her identity and heritage.