Struggles

Struggles come and go with me and Islam. Right now I do not pray as I should. No excuse just lazy but I am very aware of it and everyday I push myself. I dove head first into being all I could be as a Muslim and have found it still overwhelming. It is a complete change from what I once was. Its not a bad thing, just different.

I am still having a great experience working in Ann Arbor. If anyone doesn't like Muslims I wouldn't know it. I am always complimented on my scarves which some Muslims would say is haram to get a compliment because it means its drawing attention. My opinion on the matter is that being a hijabi and Muslim draws attention regardless of what I am wearing because what I am wearing makes me stand out.

I have found myself in debates with other Muslims but have discovered as with Christianity there are evangelicals, fundamentalists and of course extremists as well. Debating is a waste of time and I have deleted a few fb pages from my list. Maybe some have good intentions but at this point it is to over whelming and the messages are too inconsistent and I must chose whom I get my information from. I have a few people I keep close and haven't been to a Mosque yet. I have never been one to conform to another person or groups thought process and it holds true for Islam as well. I will study and read and come to my own conclusions on the lessons.

Most recently was the talk on the "camel hump" with all the quoting and the interpretations of the quotes I came to the conslusion that it is all up to intentions and that Allah will know at the end of our days.

I have found Ann Arbor has a large Muslim community and it is inspiring when I am greeted by another Muslim. It pushes me to get my books out to learn more Arabic. I have a website I can go to on my phone

My son and his work.

So not to long ago my son said one of the guys he works with made the following comment in regards to me being Muslim.

"she better not order any food from my station" and he and my son got into a verbal argument that ended nose to nose before it was broke up.

I went back into his work today to take him a few things and when I was there I was greeted by a waitress who took me back to see him. She introduced herself and was all smiles. A few minutes ago I received a text from my son which said a few waitresses saw me and thought I was his sister (My looking young enough to be his sister has haunted him since he was young lol but I love it) and thought it was cool his mom was Muslim. I know that made him feel good. Mash'Allah for every bad reaction there are four good reactions.

A new job

Well, I was hired at a Costco Warehouse a couple weeks ago and I am happy to have a job. It is not full time so I am afraid it will not pay my bills nor is it going to help me pay for a place to live. But starting over isn't easy.

However, last night a customer made my whole day and this is what happened.

So last night at work I was filling in at the door marking off reciepts as customers left and an older man in his 70's walks up to me and our conversation was as follows:

Man: "Are you Muslim?"

Me: "yes sir."
...

Man: "Well I will make you a deal, you pray for me and I will pray for you."

Me: "Deal"

Man: "Peace be upon you"

Me: "Walaykum Salam"

That totally made my day!

 

 

 

 

It is experiences like this that totally dispell the perception Muslims outside of the United States have let alone the ones that have a horrible experience living here. The majority of my experiences have been wonderful.