Thoughtful Stranger

Asalamu Alaykum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatu

'And Say to the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer palms of hands or one eye or dress like veil, gloves, head-cover, apron), and to draw their veils all over Juyubihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bossoms) and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband's fathers, or their sons, or their husband's sons, or their brothers or their brother's sons, or their sister's sons, or their (Muslim women) (i.e. sisters in Islam), or the (female) slaves whom their right hands possess, or old male servants who lack vigour, or small children who have no sense of feminine sex. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And all of you beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful'

[Surah An-Nur, Verses 30 and 31]

I sat on the subway coming home from work, minding my own business. I'm used to people starring at me or even glaring & sometimes the odd hobo has something to say..but then again society already labelled them crazy and as for me a total freak. Usually no one dares to speak to me, let alone look my straight in the eyes. But this subway ride home was something different. I sat in front of a man who had it in for me, didn't stop starring at me and was looking straight into my eyes. I avoided eye contact but every time I looked he would look away then back at me. I knew he found me interesting, because he looked and smiled ...you'd think it was creepy right? but weird enough I felt as if I was sitting in front of a Muslim Man but didn't really know it.

He would NOT stop smiling at me, not with a grin just a smile with no teeth..a warm gentle smile, as if he read through me all the history I was wearing and the message I was trying to show him & Alhamdulilah an verse (ayat) I was applying. Covering myself from head to toe.

I could tell at how he was looking at me that he was admiring everything I stood for. There were 2 girls to my left dressed in a very unappropriated way, why wasn't he looking at them?

Subhanallah!

It made no sense at the time, till he finally got up came sat beside me and said

Man: I only look at you because I admire you.

Me: I understand, thank you.

Man: Very ambitious & May God bless you, & I really mean it...May God bless you.

Me: Thank you, Thank you so much..Sorry I have to leave this is my stop. Bye

A very short conversation but the whole time building up to it didn't have any words &As I got off, I could tell he was so pleased that he had told me that and as I left and the train moved..that man was still infatuated and continued smiling.

It's beautiful to know people respect our religion and understand us.

Ma' Sha' Allahh !

May Allah Guide Him...Ameen

The One In Need Allah The Exalted,

Qawlan Saqeela