The other day I went to TJ Maxx to look for a purse (kinda getting tired of the diaper bag now!) and to look for some ramekins for my sister-in-law. I went through the purses pretty quickly since every one I touched seemed to be no less than $150! Then I headed over to the household items. As I was walking through the aisle I noticed that Isra had stopped and wasn’t following me. Instead her glance was stuck on a woman who was in the same aisle as us. She was eating sunflower seeds and of course Isra was drooling :). As I went to pick her up she started pointing at her signaling that she really wanted some seeds. The woman came close to us and said “Oh no, you’re going to choke on them.” The only way I could divert Isra’s attention was with some Veggie chips I had in the diaper bag!
The lady was about to leave the aisle and all of a sudden she turns and asks with a grin, “Where are you from?” And I replied “My parents are from India.” She said “Oh, ok” in a slightly unsettling manner. As she was about to leave I asked her where she was from since she seemed like she was from a different country. She told me she was from Mexico. Then the doors of conversation opened. Subhanallah the way Allah plans things!
She told me she wanted to know where I was from because of the way I was dressed (hejab and abaya). I told her the way I am dressed is because of my religion and not where I’m from. Then I told her I was Muslim and follow the religion of Islam!
Amala, the young woman I was talking to, probably in her mid to late twenties started asking me all kinds of questions about the way Muslim women are dressed. She asked if we are forced to wear it, if we wear it because our husbands are jealous, why we have to wear it, etc. And Subhanallah, I was able to answer all of her questions in a nice manner without hesitation, Alhumdulilah it was all by the grace of Allah! She was so interested in everything I had to say and was listening intently. We must have been talking for 15-20 minutes. At the end of the conversation she said that she saw things in a different light! At that time I gave her my personal business card and told her if she had any other questions or misconceptions she wanted me to clarify I would be more than happy in doing so. I left the store smiling!
Dawah has become a particular area of interest of mine since I made dawah to my neighbor Joe (http://themuslimhousewife.com/2008/03/28/a-few-kind-words/). I make dua to Allah SWT to enable me to convey His message in a correct and eloquent manner. It is our duty as Muslims to convey the message of Islam, Allah is the one who guides! I pray that Allah gives guidance to Amala and my neighbor Joe, and to allow them to see the truth of Islam!
Ladies, remember as Muslimahs who where hejab and/or abaya we are walking sources of dawah. Many people look at us and have a thought or wonder why we do what we do. And then those who have enough curiosity approach us and ask us. This is a great way to open the doors to converse about our religion and clear up misconceptions people may have!
Many look, some ask, few ponder!
July 31st, 2008 at 8:19 am
MashaAllah. Came across this blog today. I particulalry like this article. “Many look, some ask, few ponder” - so very true! May Allah guide all the muslimah to understand the importance of hijab and follow it strictly. Aameen.
July 31st, 2008 at 8:48 am
aw, she’s cute
thanks for the new post!
July 31st, 2008 at 12:22 pm
The part when she said ’she saw things in a different light’ was inspiring! A short conversation can have such an important positive impact! I need to be more attentive in looking out for those window of oppurtunities to give dawaa.