Silver Linings for a Muhajjabah

Silver Linings for a Muhajjabah
by Sister Hafidha
Reprinted from Jannah.org

You know the saying, "In every cloud there's a silver lining." In other words, every bad thing contains within it a small blessing of some kind. In this tongue-in-cheek article, sister Hafidha points out some of the silver linings of being a hijab-wearing Muslim woman in the West.


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-wavy 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 and cons - and the silver linings - 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."