God Texted Me

I missed yesterday's Fashion Friday post, sorry guys! Yesterday was busier than I thought it would be. I had a lecture and a test before going to Friday prayers. After that the committee organised a little fundraising bake sale at the mosque so I had to make sure everything ran smoothly. By the time it was over I was so tired because I was up studying until 3 am the night before and when I came home I just plonked myself on the bed and kind of drifted away to la la land for a while....

Anyhoo, after such a busy week Lamya and I decided to go to town and treat ourselves today and can I just say... someone please confiscate my ATM card from me because there are sales everywhere! Even at Dotti and Witchery. I think I should restrain myself and not buy anything else for the next 1 month except for groceries.

So I have to tell you this. While we did our rounds in town something happened to me for the first time...

Two 18-year-old-looking guys passed us and I heard one of them say, "F****** Muslims." I pulled Lamya towards me and asked, "Did you hear that?? Did you hear what he said?". She didn't but he kept looking and he even had a faint grin on his face while doing so. That was the first time I experienced blatant negativity towards me ever since I started wearing hijab almost two months ago. I was kind of taken aback but Lamya was a super trooper and said, "If I had heard him I would've replied 'Thank you very much',"

I was surprised and felt a little disrespected at first but then another feeling crept inside my heart and it's the strangest reaction. I was actually happy to be recognised as a Muslim! But that doesn't mean I wasn't affected by what happened. We went to Starbucks after that to get some studying done (I'm serious, we brought our laptops to study but we only did it for 30 minutes!) and I checked my cellphone. I received a message from Shaymaa. Remember her? The girl from my first Fashion Friday post. This is what it said:

If that's not a sign from God then I don't know what is. It was spot on and the amazing part is that I received God's guidance from a friend through my cellphone. It was almost like God texted me! Okay, I'm stretching it a little there but you have to admit, He really does work in mysterious ways.

I've always been a Muslim but in the past I wasn't easily identified as one. In some ways I didn't want to be identified because I was afraid non-Muslims would judge me and my belief based on what they hear in the media and the assumptions they have made from the actions of some so-called Muslims. I can't say the same about myself today. I no longer place another person's opinion of myself or my religion above what I know deep down inside is the truth. That guy probably doesn't even have any real knowledge about Islam apart from the distorted information he has heard from the media so I don't even blame him.

I am proud feel blessed to be a Muslim, alhamdulillah and no one can take this feeling away from me except for the Almighty so I pray that He will always inspire me to be thankful towards Him and that He continues to strengthen my iman (faith). Peace of mind is truly a gift and blessing. When you're happy from within almost nothing can ruin that feeling for you.

[Credit goes to my friend Zahra from Muslimness. We miss you Zahra! Come back to Dunedin please.]

P.S. Sorry for not visiting your blogs lately. I will try my best amidst my hectic schedule. You know I miss reading them. Much love from me.