aSalaam uAlaikum and Good Night My Stylish Sisters...
The weirdest thing happened to me today. As I mentioned previously, I have been struggling with some anxiety and stress lately, so my wonderful husband suggested I take the day to venture out on my own and spend some time relaxing for a change. Of course this "day" turned into an afternoon and eventually dwindled down to a couple of hours, but nonetheless the thought was there on his part alhamdulillah, I just lacked the execution.
Well, I chose to spend my precious hours of peace and tranquility by going and getting a mani/pedi done at a new nail salon/spa that I saw a couple of weeks ago while running errands. The ambiance is peaceful and elegant, the chairs are oversized with massage options, and the service is fantastic. So, no problem there. The problem lied with the woman who they sat me next to.
When I first walked into the spa I immediately recognized that this woman was of Middle Eastern descent, and so (incorrectly) sensing an ally I flashed her a genuine smile. *crickets* I received a death glare in response.
I shook it off as a mistake, or a mis-interpretation on my part and went about choosing the color of nail polish, selecting the newest magazines they had, and waiting my turn for a seat in those luxurious chairs. Of course, as luck would have it, I was seated right next to Mrs. Mean Face.
Aformentioned glare out of my head, and with a strong determination to enjoy my time of silence and solitude I began leafing through the magazines I had selected, filling my brain with nonsense about Kim K's divorce, Jen's new romance, and who wore what where. Then, Mrs. Mean Face's voice overtook my gossip filled conscience as I overheard her starting to bash Islam, her home country, and everything remotely related to either one to the lady who was doing her nails.
:O *jaw drop* AstaghferAllah I was seriously shocked. I won't go into details about what she said, but it was definitely cringe-worthy and the poor lady who was working on my pedicure kept bonking me on the knee telling me to stop curling my toes. I couldn't help it. She was sitting here defacing my beautiful religion and the one True and Complete Book to some lady who didn't know any better, and probably believed everything she said.
I wanted to yell at her "I'm sorry if you've had such horrible experiences with people who claimed to be Muslim, but that was CULTURE....it was NOT true Islam, and it is wrong and inhumane and just plain haraam for you to be lying to this lady about our beautiful Islam and all of the Truth that it holds!" I wanted to jump up and defend Our Prophet and offer to help her see the other side of Islam. The side free from the influences of greedy men who use it in their own twisted ways to fill their social agendas.
But....of course....I didn't. I chose to sit still, and keep quiet because I knew in my heart she was saying these things to get under my skin. And I knew that the best way to prove that she was wrong, and to get under her skin in return was to simply be myself. To be kind, and nice, and show her an example of how a true Muslimah acts.
In short...I forgave her.
There is a part of me who feels guilty that I didn't do more to stand up for Islam. But in my heart I know I did the right thing, because only Allah swt will guide those who are meant to follow the straight path. She was so determined to believe what she believed that no matter what I said she would have twisted it around and it would have just solidified what she already felt to be true.
So, instead, I caught her eye. I gave a her a smile that came from deeper than my mouth, deeper still than my heart even. It came from my imaan.
And you know what? She smiled back. As I turned to grab my things and come home to my beautiful daughters and my loving husband she even called goodbye out to me, and I could feel her watching me as I walked to my car.
And at that point, the only thing I felt was pity for her. Pity that she had been through such horrible experiences, and pity that she had strayed so far from the Straight Path. Instead of yelling at her for what she said, I will instead make du'a for her.
And insh'Allah you will all make du'a as well.
Ma'Salaama and Allah Ma'aku.
Fashionably Yours,
The (newly painted) Mujahada in Prada
The weirdest thing happened to me today. As I mentioned previously, I have been struggling with some anxiety and stress lately, so my wonderful husband suggested I take the day to venture out on my own and spend some time relaxing for a change. Of course this "day" turned into an afternoon and eventually dwindled down to a couple of hours, but nonetheless the thought was there on his part alhamdulillah, I just lacked the execution.
Well, I chose to spend my precious hours of peace and tranquility by going and getting a mani/pedi done at a new nail salon/spa that I saw a couple of weeks ago while running errands. The ambiance is peaceful and elegant, the chairs are oversized with massage options, and the service is fantastic. So, no problem there. The problem lied with the woman who they sat me next to.
When I first walked into the spa I immediately recognized that this woman was of Middle Eastern descent, and so (incorrectly) sensing an ally I flashed her a genuine smile. *crickets* I received a death glare in response.
I shook it off as a mistake, or a mis-interpretation on my part and went about choosing the color of nail polish, selecting the newest magazines they had, and waiting my turn for a seat in those luxurious chairs. Of course, as luck would have it, I was seated right next to Mrs. Mean Face.
Aformentioned glare out of my head, and with a strong determination to enjoy my time of silence and solitude I began leafing through the magazines I had selected, filling my brain with nonsense about Kim K's divorce, Jen's new romance, and who wore what where. Then, Mrs. Mean Face's voice overtook my gossip filled conscience as I overheard her starting to bash Islam, her home country, and everything remotely related to either one to the lady who was doing her nails.
:O *jaw drop* AstaghferAllah I was seriously shocked. I won't go into details about what she said, but it was definitely cringe-worthy and the poor lady who was working on my pedicure kept bonking me on the knee telling me to stop curling my toes. I couldn't help it. She was sitting here defacing my beautiful religion and the one True and Complete Book to some lady who didn't know any better, and probably believed everything she said.
I wanted to yell at her "I'm sorry if you've had such horrible experiences with people who claimed to be Muslim, but that was CULTURE....it was NOT true Islam, and it is wrong and inhumane and just plain haraam for you to be lying to this lady about our beautiful Islam and all of the Truth that it holds!" I wanted to jump up and defend Our Prophet and offer to help her see the other side of Islam. The side free from the influences of greedy men who use it in their own twisted ways to fill their social agendas.
But....of course....I didn't. I chose to sit still, and keep quiet because I knew in my heart she was saying these things to get under my skin. And I knew that the best way to prove that she was wrong, and to get under her skin in return was to simply be myself. To be kind, and nice, and show her an example of how a true Muslimah acts.
In short...I forgave her.
There is a part of me who feels guilty that I didn't do more to stand up for Islam. But in my heart I know I did the right thing, because only Allah swt will guide those who are meant to follow the straight path. She was so determined to believe what she believed that no matter what I said she would have twisted it around and it would have just solidified what she already felt to be true.
So, instead, I caught her eye. I gave a her a smile that came from deeper than my mouth, deeper still than my heart even. It came from my imaan.
And you know what? She smiled back. As I turned to grab my things and come home to my beautiful daughters and my loving husband she even called goodbye out to me, and I could feel her watching me as I walked to my car.
And at that point, the only thing I felt was pity for her. Pity that she had been through such horrible experiences, and pity that she had strayed so far from the Straight Path. Instead of yelling at her for what she said, I will instead make du'a for her.
And insh'Allah you will all make du'a as well.
Ma'Salaama and Allah Ma'aku.
Fashionably Yours,
The (newly painted) Mujahada in Prada
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4 comments:
man what a tricky situation to be in because I would have wanted to say something too!! Especially when you know it is Culture and not Islam. It makes me crazy!!! You handled yourself well. What do you feel the response of the women doing her nails felt? Maybe on another visit you can give her some positive dawah.
Malek...
Salaam Sister! First of all thanks so much for the comment! It WAS a sticky situation. I really love your idea about giving the employee dawah on my next visit! Will definitely do insh'Allah!
Stay stylish! :)
I agree with Malek as well, and it takes more strength and patience to do what you did. It would have ended up in an argument if you said anything in defense. To argue would be too easy and it would simply end up in sin. She was hurt and bitter....and maybe one day your paths would cross again and perhaps with your good islamic akhlak and words of hikmah, she would come to realize that islam is beautiful and not how she perceives it to be. It is sad how culture and old traditions create such negativity, hence islam being misunderstood. I must commend you for your well written blog, my dear.
aSalaam uAlaikum Nur...
Thank you so much for your comment. Whenever I come across someone who is so stuck in their negativity regarding Islam, whether they were born into Islam or are simply misinformed about it, I always struggle with arguing or not. Until I remember the hadith that tells us of our reward in leaving an argument: "I guarantee a house in Jannah for one who gives up arguing, even if he is in the right; and I guarantee a home in the middle of Jannah for one who abandons lying even for the sake of fun; and I guarantee a house in the highest part of Jannah for one who has good manners.''
[Hadith of Abu Dawud]
It is very sad to me when cultural influences have caused someone to give up on the positivity of true Islam. Thank you for stopping by sister, and jazzak Allah khairun for your kind words.
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