Her Courage

I remember back when I was in the states – it was just days after Sept. 11th – and Muslims were facing a major crisis. Many Embassies, Islamic centres, and other institutions were all sending out reports to Muslims to be careful of ‘hate crimes’ and remain low-key. Muslims were confused and very scared.

Then there was this young Muslimah in one of my college classes, and masha’allah, she always wore a hijab pre-9/11. When we returned to class a week later post-9/11, and amidst the trials and tribulations Muslims were facing outside, I walked into to class to see that this girl has now worn the niqaab. Subhanna Allah, I couldn’t believe my eyes! What strength and conviction…we kept hearing that Muslim men were shaving their beards and girls were taking off their hijab but this honorable girl chose to add to her faith, and put on a niqab. It was a time of fitnah and fear, but Allah blessed her with faith.

It’s been 11 years, and I still remember her courage.

“Allah keeps firm those who believe, with the firm word, in worldly life and in the Hereafter. And Allah sends astray the wrongdoers. And Allah does what He wills.”

[14: 27]