A short story with a meaningful lesson...
It was 5 minutes till the end of college. Marwa walked along
the corridor feeling tired and flustered. It had been a long day and she needed
to go home and rest for a while before her 1000 duties were to be fulfilled.
A group of teenage girls at the end of the corridor, were talking about what was on TV the night before, giggling to each other – giving the occasional ‘high five’ and gracelessly sneering at the girls who walked by. Marwa looked up at the girls giving a smile as she passed them. Despite her small effort of kindness they looked to each other and let out a very loud and insulting laugh. One of the girls started sniggering at her Jilbab. “Eww how she can wear that big bag!” she laughed to her friend.
Her frustrated looking friend turned back to look at Marwa, “I know! Isn’t she so extreme? She was probably forced to wear it!” Again, they both burst into a fit of laughter. Hurt by their sarcastic comments, Marwa carried on walking feeling a sense of sadness. How could they mock at her religion? Her dress? Her liberation? All these questions were occupying her mind. Didn’t they have any shame in saying such blasphemous things, she thought. Marwa would have certainly said something, were it not that she remembered the ayah in the Quran “And the slaves of the Most Merciful are those who walk on the earth in humility and sedateness, and when the foolish address them (with bad words) they reply with mild words of gentleness.” And so she remained calm. Whispering to herself “Allah is with the patient" or “glad tidings to the strangers.”
A group of teenage girls at the end of the corridor, were talking about what was on TV the night before, giggling to each other – giving the occasional ‘high five’ and gracelessly sneering at the girls who walked by. Marwa looked up at the girls giving a smile as she passed them. Despite her small effort of kindness they looked to each other and let out a very loud and insulting laugh. One of the girls started sniggering at her Jilbab. “Eww how she can wear that big bag!” she laughed to her friend.
Her frustrated looking friend turned back to look at Marwa, “I know! Isn’t she so extreme? She was probably forced to wear it!” Again, they both burst into a fit of laughter. Hurt by their sarcastic comments, Marwa carried on walking feeling a sense of sadness. How could they mock at her religion? Her dress? Her liberation? All these questions were occupying her mind. Didn’t they have any shame in saying such blasphemous things, she thought. Marwa would have certainly said something, were it not that she remembered the ayah in the Quran “And the slaves of the Most Merciful are those who walk on the earth in humility and sedateness, and when the foolish address them (with bad words) they reply with mild words of gentleness.” And so she remained calm. Whispering to herself “Allah is with the patient" or “glad tidings to the strangers.”
The thought of being a stranger aroused her mind. How honoured are those who stand out
amongst the rest. How unique. How special. I may not “fit in” but if Allah is pleased
with me who cares?! I love who I am!
Marwa smiled to herself and walked out to the foyer area. However, to her surprise, the girls had surpassed her whilst she was absorbed in her deep thoughts and again stood there, blocking her way. Marwa looked at them in the eye, cleared her throat and addressed them in a calm manner. “What is it that’s so funny?” she asked sternly.
Again, their immaturity shined through, and so one of the girls spat at her face. The girl besdis her pulled at her scarf, the other pushed her with her hand and insulted her religion. Marwa patiently walked away, constantly reminding herself that Allah was watching. He knew, and that's what mattered.
She began to recall the time the Prophet Muhammad (saw), when he entered Ta’if and was ridiculed and humiliated and stoned till he bled by the children of that village. Imagining this scene increased her longing to meet the Prophet (saw), but brought her heart to ease, as she acknowledge her test was very similar to that of the Prophet (saw)'s.
Marwa smiled to herself and walked out to the foyer area. However, to her surprise, the girls had surpassed her whilst she was absorbed in her deep thoughts and again stood there, blocking her way. Marwa looked at them in the eye, cleared her throat and addressed them in a calm manner. “What is it that’s so funny?” she asked sternly.
Again, their immaturity shined through, and so one of the girls spat at her face. The girl besdis her pulled at her scarf, the other pushed her with her hand and insulted her religion. Marwa patiently walked away, constantly reminding herself that Allah was watching. He knew, and that's what mattered.
She began to recall the time the Prophet Muhammad (saw), when he entered Ta’if and was ridiculed and humiliated and stoned till he bled by the children of that village. Imagining this scene increased her longing to meet the Prophet (saw), but brought her heart to ease, as she acknowledge her test was very similar to that of the Prophet (saw)'s.
The girls had recently began to mock Marwa more and more. When she started the school, she was the only one who
wore the Hijab, Jilbab and Niqab. People saw her as strange when she would
leave the classroom to pray, or even when she did something good, they found it
weird and thought something was up. But Marwa knew she had to be stronger.
She hurried out of the school doors, smiling a big smile. “Alhamdulillah” she said to herself; even though she was deeply hurt, she breathed in the fresh air of the beautiful spring’s day. At that very moment, she felt like a warrior, courageous, honoured, dignified but best of all she felt strange. This is who she was. She was not going to change for anyone. If Allah was pleased with her, then she had no need to feel so sad. For she believed truly that there is no obedience in the creation when it is disobedience to the creator. For that she would fight and in that she would find peace and reassurance.
She hurried out of the school doors, smiling a big smile. “Alhamdulillah” she said to herself; even though she was deeply hurt, she breathed in the fresh air of the beautiful spring’s day. At that very moment, she felt like a warrior, courageous, honoured, dignified but best of all she felt strange. This is who she was. She was not going to change for anyone. If Allah was pleased with her, then she had no need to feel so sad. For she believed truly that there is no obedience in the creation when it is disobedience to the creator. For that she would fight and in that she would find peace and reassurance.
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1 comment:
Nice, masha Allah. The strength to deal with difficulties like Marwa would be awfully handy!
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