Don't Talk the Talk When They Walk the Walk

Part of the human condition is that -- depending on where you live -- certain ethnicities tend to get a bad rap. Among the Muslims in the city I was living in in the United States before I came here, it was the Iraqis who bore the a large part of the criticism. (Sorry to inform you of that if you're Iraqi and living in that city -- but it's true. That's just how people talked, and no one could convince them otherwise)

So it is because of this that I feel compelled to describe my experiences with my Iraqi neighbors here in Sayyida Zaynab. To begin with, everyone I have met feels incredibly sorry for me because I am here alone. Therefore, they have been trying to help me in any way possible. Forget just offering lunch and dinner. Several of my neighbors have suggested that I move into their houses so that I will not be alone and vulnerable. I was particularly touched by one newlywed lady who insisted that I come and live with her and her husband; I'm not sure I would have the same faith in human goodness to ask a strange, young, foreign woman to live with me and my husband if I were married. Of course I have been getting a lot of marriage offers (and assurances that theirs are the best of men to marry). But what completely floored me was today at the hawzah when this woman -- whom I know is by no means rich -- tried to give me money. When I declined to take it, she proceeded to hide it in my clothing. I really was at a loss for words. I have rarely been offered money before from anyone, and I really did not know how to respond. I felt completely embarrassed that alhamdulillah, Allah has freed me for the time being from need, and yet she was still trying to give me something.

So since I have nothing to offer here except du'a, all I can say is may Allah reward all of the people who have helped me so far -- from whatever ethnicity they may come -- and may Allah grant me some of their human dignity and good akhlaq.