(I actually listed all the amazing things I could remember, and I recommend that whenever you go on a fun trip, open your journal and write down all the cool things that happened. When the memories have faded, all that will remain will be what you wrote.)
Ok, so here is what happened:
I'm at the Ka'bah, praying Fajr.
I called someone on my mobile phone and was speaking out loud in English. People next to me could hear me speaking English.
Well...two funky dudes from Afghanistan were sitting beside me.
When I completed the call, dude no.1 turns to me and says, "Where you from?"
I say, "Canada".
Done. Really didn't pay much attention to it, stuff like that happens all the time.
That was before the prayer.
Fajr prayer, all is good.
Dude no.1 after Salah turns to me and says, so slowly and sincerely:
"I am happy you are my brother."
Shock. It was such a sweet thing to say. I was deeply touched.
He took out some 'Itr perfume oil and lathered me with it.
Smiled. Shook my hand. And was on his way.
He was from Baluchistan.
What emotions does this story evoke for you?
6 comments:
It reminds me of this past Eid. A woman came up to me and asked if anyone was sitting with me and my family. We were praying in a big convention hall that has no carpet so everyone brought their own blankets and prayer mats and things to pray on.
I moved aside and patted the space beside me to indicate that we had room. She and I both exchanged some infrequent pre- Eid prayer/Khutbah banter.
After the prayer and khutbah was over she took my hand and kissed it, smiled warmly and said Eid Mubarak. More importantly said Eid Mubarak like she meant it, not merely for the sake of custom as it is frequently said now. With no heart.
Her sincerity was refreshing. Sometimes I feel like the little things are abandoned and left to the way side and so when I want to do some of the "little things" like smiling and telling a Sister I may have never met but shared a profoundly beautiful moment with that I love her for the sake of Allah (swt), I repress it because no one else seems to observe these sorts of things anymore.
This Sister reminded me that I need to act when those moments come from now on. Her simple actions and sincere words made my Eid. I could do nothing but watch her walk away from me when she left and make all kinds of du'as for her. And they came from the heart. Just like her actions.
Subhanallah!!! It reminds me of the Khutba-tul-Wida by Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), where he clarifies races are not the means to differentiate between Muslims. These emotions re-kindle the reality of us Muslims living the statements of the Prophet (PBUH).
Subhanallah, Allah is perfect. I had tears when one sister walked into my dorm upon my return from tawaf ifada' and mentioned that she s indeed a new muslim revert and this Hajj was one of her first steps into our deen. Upon seeing my tears, she hugged me tight and we both cried. I didnt know her name or her background but I thank Allah for His love.
I remember how once, on Eid Al-Fitr, we finished the salah and everybody walked out to the parking lot for the carnival. Subhanallah, every year, we discover how fast Muslims are growing..at the last minute..and we always end up with not enough goody bags/donuts/samosas. One eid (i was 9), i walked to the donut booth and asked if there were any donuts left, since some people had donuts with them, and was told that they had just finished. A little dissapointed, but still willing to hunt for something else, I turned to leave. Then I heard a brother say: Eid Mubarak! and a plate with three donuts appeared out of nowhere. I turned around wanting to thank him, but that mysterious brother was gone.
I looked for my siblings, sure that they hadn't gotten any donuts. While turning to leave again, I noticed my sister and brother giving it to my youngest sister. I felt so happy at that moment, because those three donuts had made 5 people happy! Alhamdulillah!
Jamila, Belgium
where you go, there is love for each other among Muslims. it is sometimes unexpected but its nice, it gives you a good feeling, so nice to start a days like this!
May Allah bring us together every day with people with such words amine to know how happy we really should be every day, to be a Muslim!
Alhamdolilah ya Allah!
it reminds me when I was in Madina from the mosque and I had to go because it was full and I was still waiting on my grandmother who still nioet affected by macha Allah because it was very full right to the entrance of the door I was honestly little sad because where am I now eeen place for prayer was starting a minute ...
1 of the guards called me effe I looked behind me .. they see you come so I thought I'm gone I just wait for someone more than I'm away ... she said, come here to pray and pointed me to a place in the entrance of the mosque I was thanked for her that told me said Allah has given you this place! I was full of emotions ya Allah wa Alhamdolilah that was 1 of the beautiful and fun things I'm not forgotten. things so you do not write, they stay in your memory.
which is good because I've lost my diary where all other nice things are written. the best memories remain happy in the heart and never go away InchaAllah!
May Allah reward you and Salamo 3aleykoum wa rahmatoAllah wa barakatoh!
Sabrina, New Zealand
I am studying here for about 2 years now, I am from Malaysia, during the night before Eid Ul Fitr this year... I was at home cooking alone, an english couple (in their 60s i think)came to my house to look for someone, I told them that the got the wrong house, the couple said sorry and thank me, and before they go, they wish me Happy Eid! I was stunned! Hardly ever any non muslim (at where I am staying now) will know its Ramadhan let alone Eid Ul Fitr, that is when I truly understand and realise, how a piece of hijab can tell you who you are and the impact you are giving and gaining the respect from others... wallahualam
~Salam~
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