I walked in the Masjid
Greeted my sisters in Islam
And stood shoulder to shoulder with a sister from South Asia
As we prepared to pray Tareweeh
I heard her whisper to the sister on her left
No, no my mind negotiates
She didn’t say what I think she said…
Although racism bleeds many hearts
This was not the place for it
This was not the Month for it
And this was not the environment for it
How can you hate on someone for their skin color
When Allah Ta’aal has clearly made it known only those with piety were superior in His sight
And not those with lighter skin tone
I heard her whisper again this time only louder
My mind had not failed me
For her mother tongue, despite our difference, is my first language
Grew up in her culture
And understood the depth of it
My mind started racing
Should I confront and embarrass her?
Or should I let it slide by
The imam called for the salah
And my mind was still semi distracted
After the prayer she smiled at me and said Assalamu Aliakum sister
Confused I replied Walikum Wasalam
My mind battled my heart for it wanted to confront her
Yet my heart pled to spare her the embarrassment
I finally decided somethings are truly better left unsaid
As I existed the masjid
I saw her staring at me
Looking at me as though she has never seen a person of color
Minutes later I realized I was uttering words in Urdu
Her native language
And that shocked her
I understood what she said
And now she knew
And that killed her
Not the fact that she uttered those words
While standing for salah
In the House of Allah
To worship Allah
How weak is the human heart
That it sins even in such Blessed Month
May Allah Ta’aal grant us both forgiveness
For, despite all, she is my sister in Islam. Ameen
Halima Ahmed
Copyright © 2010
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