Day after day

Isabella, a skinny community college student, walked to the local mosque to pray before sunrise. Her hijab was pinned at her chin. She covered up and looked within her soul for direction. She was giddy from light sleep. Her brisk steps accelerated at a rapid pace as she neared the sister’s entrance. She had a date with the Creator – five times a day in prayer. This morning, she opened the gate and removed her shoes when she stepped onto the cushiony carpet.

The mosque was a radically welcoming community center where families could seek assistance with rent or meal provision. People attained job skills and obtained speaking opportunities all in that sacred space. The imams were also available for counseling. This morning Izzy, as she was called, had an appointment with the head imam. He was her Wali. She sought guidance on how to choose a career and make her parents proud, as well as guidance on how to choose a husband from potential marriage suitors. Her parents were nervous about her future as a Muslim in America because of the rise of Islamophobia. Would their daughter succeed in school and work or would she be the victim of discrimination?

Izzy had recently reverted to Islam because of the beauty of the Muslim community. Truly, they served God by serving people. Her day was devoted to volunteer work at the mosque in the communications department. She volunteered with a great team of righteous, selfless souls. She helped with recording events and posting on social media sites, like Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.

However, today, her life changed. A shooter broke into the mosque, waving a gun. He pointed it in her direction, but she did not see him, because she was facing Mecca. She bent down in ruku, at the waist, and the criminal missed her by a fraction of a millisecond. He was then apprehended by security guards. Instead of decimating hope, this incident fueled her faith. The hate crime targeted the Muslim minority, but it couldn’t stop the efforts of the believers.

When the media came to the mosque to interview the Muslim members of the community about the hate crime, an outpouring of compassion from interfaith supporters arrived. This united the community. Hate will end when good people come together and take a stand. Isabella went on camera and told her story. She thanked Allah SWT, a Protecting Friend, and the security guards who resolved the situation by preventing harm to her.

The mosque continued to be a place where people could congregate to pray. Izzy and others returned day after day. Allah SWT was their source of strength. The Qur’an and Hadith were their inspiration. Muslims banded together in times like this to dispel the myth of inherent racial superiority and to advance the cause of piety. Strong moral character united the diverse group of Islamic adherents. There was even the presence of an Islamic revival - more women covered, more men assembled at the mosque for prayer, and more classes on Islam were held at the mosque open to people of any faith. If anything, the community showed resilience. Through God's unfailing love and infinite compassion, the doers of good kept their peace. Allah SWT filled their life with ease.

Izzy sought justice in the legal system. In the court room, she faced her assailant and offered forgiveness from her heart. He would still be sentenced, but at least her heart had not been hardened by the attack. She expressed the sincere hope that the criminal study Islam and make more informed choices. He was ignorant and unexposed. Izzy prayed for him to reform his ways. She said, "Who knows? Maybe, one day you'll be my brother in Islam. Maybe, one day in shaa Allah."

Only Allah is the Turner of Hearts. He is the only one with knowledge of the unseen. He sees the condition of our hearts, and we are accountable to Him. May we each be pure of heart. May there be beauty and light within.