**************************************************************
   *           {Bismillahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem.}                  *
   * In The Name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful.*
   **************************************************************

Title: Silver Linings for a Muhajjibah

	Assalaamu 'alaykoum

I was on my way to the grocery store today when I came to a busy
intersection.  Many cars were wanting to turn onto the street
that I was crossing.  I paused to let a car go because I figured
"maybe he/she is in a hurry; I can wait an extra second or
two."  But then we ended up doing that little hand handwavy
dance .... "no, go ahead." "no, you go ahead." "no, no, you go
ahead."  You know what I mean.

So finally I went ahead, and as I was stepping out of the
crosswalk into the curb, the person in the car leaned out the
window.  I noticed he was a young middle eastern man with a
cellular phone.  He said to me (over the traffic noise) "Because
you are a Muslim!"

Well, that got me thinking.  About the pros of being a
muhajjibah, and of being recognized as a Muslim.  I decided to
share some of them with you all.


CON:  Sometimes bums assume that I am a religious person, so
they try to get me to feel sorry for them so I'll give them
money.

SILVER LINING:  Extra opportunity for barakaat and da'wah.


CON:  Strange men yelling "ALI BABA ALI BABA" or "GO HOME IRAQI
B*******"  as they drive by in their pickups.

SILVER LINING:  Barakaat for the trials those fools put me
though.  *sob* *sob*


CON:  It's very hard for me to blend in at some places, like the
county fairs; people look at me like I don't belong there, and I
feel awkward.

SILVER LINING:  I don't dare enter a bar or nightclub.

CON:  I can't show off my hair.

SILVER LINING:  When it rains, I don't get "the frizzies."

CON:  Sometimes I am mistaken for a nun.

SILVER LINING:  I get to hear non Muslims refer to me as
"sister."

CON:  Little kids stare at me rather rudely.

SILVER LINING:  I get to startle them by smiling and waving.
Then I get to see them smile and wave back, too.

CON:  People don't bother to invite me to their parties.

SILVER LINING:  I don't have to go to people's parties.


CON:  Sometimes Muslims see me and look away like they are sorry
they saw me.

SILVER LINING:  Once in a while, I'll meet a Muslim who maybe
isn't practicing, but is very happy to see me and he will say to
me, "It makes my heart feel good to meet a good Muslim."

Not that I'm that good or anything, but it's the thought that
counts!

	wassalaam, Sr. Hafidha