I see her every morning.
Some days, her head is held high, smile plastered across her face, daring anyone to do anything but smile back, though there are still those that shoot her with narrowed eyes and tempered mumbling, eyes glancing at the scarf over her head, then dropping to the dark unbranded bag slung over her right shoulder.
Some days, that same plastered-on smiles cracks at the slightest hint of heated disdain, bright eyes refusing to look anywhere but the littered floor of the train. On these days, I shuffle into the furthest seat from her in the carriage, my handprints leaving sweaty signatures on the armrest though I couldn’t say where my anxiety stems from. Or even if it’s even localised to a single thing.
Yet without fail, whether she’s feigning ignorance to the unease she triggers in the passengers, or silently accepting it, she will undoubtedly reach into the threadbare pocket of her oversized coat, and pull out a book. Such an innocent move, in retrospect. And without fail, I will undoubtedly shift until I can see the tension leave her shoulders as she settles into her corner, nobody beside her, and reads. I understand where their anxiety stems from. It’s localised at this girl, at the book she carries, and all the words it whispers to her.
I keep quiet, refusing to look back when I can almost hear her murmuring words foreign to my ears, despite knowing she’s too far away for me to hear anything.
It’s a fortnight before I almost stumble straight past her. That same dark bag of hers thuds against my leg, and it’s only then I give her a second glance. It’s unnerving how the lack of a grin can make her blend into the background. There’s something in her dark eyes as she murmurs an apology and takes the next seat down that makes my stomach clench in guilt, and yet. And yet, I refuse to take the empty seat beside her for fear unknown, and walk until I see a befuddled old man grumbling into his newspaper about how immigrants are taking all the bloody jobs in our land. I understand where his anxiety stems from. It’s localised at this girl, and all the uncertainty she brings, the changes no one is willing to accept.
I keep quiet, refusing to look back when I can almost hear her shifting around, despite knowing she’s too far away to hear anything.
Days pass like sand through my fingers.
I try to accept the side I’ve chosen with equanimity, and yet, I refuse to look to the man at my side who always pats my shoulder in solidarity and leaves his paper with me.
My conscience screams at me, echoing in the hollows of my mind, until a day comes when my final stop sees the paper and guilt hidden in the dustbin.
It’s trepidation that fills me now as I make my way to the station, a few minutes earlier than usual. My curiosity has been satiated, replaced instead by an unsteady heartbeat and clammy fingers running down my spine. My car keys slip out of my hand; they crash to the floor with an almighty jingle, and she looks over from a conversation with her friend, her eyes still crinkled with laughter.
I stay frozen. Her grin drops infinitesimally, but unperturbed otherwise, she continued down the stairs.
That day, the seat beside her isn’t empty, and I convince myself that’s the reason I walk to the next carriage, and drown out the general chatter in my latest audiobook.
I don’t hear the commotion until the conductor runs down the train, harried movements making a young child wail into her doll.
I move without having made the conscious decision to, my heart stuttering out an extra beat when I see her nowhere near the disruption. It’s just a pair of young boys refusing to pay for a ticket. She catches my eye, and this time, I smile.
I can’t stop the well of questions within me overflowing. Without an introduction, I spout,
“How can you be so calm and patient?”
Her eyes rise coolly to meet mine. I resolutely lower my head in ignominy, distantly recognising that the attention is now on me. My steps falter, and I stumble back, cheeks burning before spinning on my heel. I don’t recall that ever having been a curiosity, though I can’t take it back.
Her voice comes as a surprise. It’s only now I realise no one’s ever deigned to speak with her, though it shouldn’t be a shock.
“The Quran tells me to be.” She smiles, and it’s different from the earlier smiles I’ve catalogued. It’s the sun coming over dewy grass at the crack of dawn, and that’s when I realise I’m jealous. Jealous of this girl who seems happier than I will ever be in this one instance, despite the comfort of acceptance from the masses on my side.
She nods her head to the seat across the aisle, an indication to take a seat.
“I thought the Quran…”
“Was a storybook that promotes violence?”
My blush deepens, though she doesn’t seem to expect a reply.
“I’m patient because no matter how hard it gets, I have faith that there are better days to come. I’m patient because Allah rewards patience, and because it is one of the defining qualities of a Muslim. I’m patient because being patient is better than getting angry, and hurting others for their ignorance.”
She speaks as though she’s reiterating the points to herself, reminding herself why she behaves as she does. I’m merely a fly on the wall, lucky enough to hear her views.
“I’m patient because although I sometimes lose the things I love, I’m doing it for the One who loves me most. I’m doing it because I know His plans always have my best intentions at heart, and even if I’m battling through, Allah will be there for me throughout. For every cry I give, for every tear I shed, He is there for me, and He will always love me. And what better motive for patience is there than that?”
There isn’t.
–
I see her every morning.
Most days, her head is held high, smile plastered across her face, daring anyone to do anything but smile back, though there’s still those that shoot her with narrowed eyes and tempered mumbling, eyes glancing at the scarf over her head, then dropping to the dark unbranded bag slung over her right shoulder.
Most days, that same plastered-on smiles cracks at the slightest hint of heated disdain, bright eyes refusing to look anywhere but the littered floor of the train. On these days, I shuffle into the closest seat from her in the carriage, and look down at the Quran she never fails to bring.
On these days, she smiles that smile that makes me recall the sun coming over dewy grass at the crack of dawn, and says,
“Do not fear, for Allah is with us. Do not fear, since in this book of revelations he has given us, there is one thing we know. For us, Allah is sufficient and He is the best disposer of affairs. He will not steer us wrong. He is with us.”
And I believe.
39 Comments
This is the best piece of writing i have read! Very talented keep up the hard work i can see you going far in life. Inshalllah
In sha allah! Thank you so much, I really appreciate it xx
Amazing and inspiring writing ! Keep going !!
Aww, thank you so much, Sanjana! xx
My fave person ever in the word leaving me speechless as always, love you loads, this is amazing Mashallah ! xxxxxxx ;)
Ahhhh, jazakallah! I’m so sorry for the late reply man, you know about everything that’s been going on at home anyway, but I’m sorry still. Love you loads xx
Speechless. This competition has inspired me to write, but this piece is one I can empathise with. I travel on the train to get to work most days, and I feel as though the girl in this story personifies me especially, though unfortunately, I haven’t had such an ending yet. The repetition really hit home, highlighting the main character’s change in beliefs. I have a question though, what was the gender/age of the main character? I couldn’t figure it out!! I pray inshaallah you go far. When I’m feeling low, it’s good to know I have people fighting on my side. Islamaphobia is a serious problem that needs to be dealt with, even if it’s through taking stands with writing. You’re very brave. You should share more of your writing on instagram!
Jazakallah so much! I’m really sorry to hear that you’ve faced trouble with others solely because of what you believe in. You’re right; that is exactly why I write. I didn’t give too much detail about the main character intentionally! She/he isn’t the focus, and what I’m trying to show is Islamaphobia doesn’t just come from a specific gender or age. It needs to be tackled from all over. In sha Allah, I am planning on sharing more of my writing. It’s a shame I don’t have Facebook as a platform! I really hope that things get better for you in sha Allah. Stay safe xx
Such a powerful piece of Art, I love it soo much, you definitely need to continue writing, you are so good in it. I loved it so much and it touched my heart.
Magdi, thank you so much! It means the world that all you guys left comments because none of us have Facebook. All these comments mean the world to me. Thank you so much for always being supportive, and such a gentle, beautiful soul. We need more people like you in the world. Thank you xx
Hana, I love this and I love that you use writing as an outlet. That’s an important and extremely helpful quality to have <3. There are some run-on sentences and fluffy language. One thing I like to remember is "every sentence should either reveal something about a character or advance the plot." It really helps with assessing the importance of each sentence. The tone you created was calm, impactful, which beautifully resonates with the ideologies a Muslim practices (that you've added). I honestly love this, and I really sometimes don't have the patience to read a lotta things, but I read this one. You are forever inspiring and keep doing what you're doing girl <3. (Side note: if you're really interested in writing more, check out Roy Peter Clark's 50 Writing Tools online! It's a basic guide on how to write, tips and stuff like that. Helped me so much for journalism and will definitely help your writing to be the best it can be.)
Thank you, Aanchal! I appreciate every word you said. The run-on sentences were mainly for style, but I do get where you’re coming from. I’ll definitely check that out! Thank you for leaving a comment – it means a lot. I’m glad you saw how beautiful and calm Islam is through my writing, since that is exactly what I wanted to portray. Thank you! xx
MASHALLAH!!!
JAZAKALLAH! xx
WOW! What an amazing piece of literature.
Jazakallah! It means a lot that you think that xx
This is so well written and very very inspiring, made me re-think things and how we should put our trust in the almighty that no matter what, he is with us ?❤?❤
This is very touching???
Lots of luck ??
This truly DESERVES a win ???
Jazakallah so much, Narmeen. I wrote this very quickly when I was at one of my lowest points. I don’t think I’ve cried so much in a few hours like I did that day. What you thought of it is one of the reasons I wrote it. It reminds me – and hopefully others – that we just need to hold on and place our trust in Allah because he won’t steer us wrong. I pray Allah always keeps you happy and safe, Ameen. xx
Really enjoy these creative minds.
Jazakallah :)
Beautiful piece of writing mashallah:)
Jazakallah, I really appreciate that! xx
This was so amazing, a very insightful piece of writing. I honestly don’t know what else to say I honestly, really liked it.
Hi, Tarika! (Look, I remember you! I just spoke with you on Instagram yesterday, and you asked whether I remembered you. It doesn’t matter how many followers I have, if I’ve spoken to someone, and really liked them, I will undoubtedly remember them.)
Wow, I just figured out how to do paragraphs from my phone!
Anyway, thank you so, so much. All your support is very important to me, and it’s beautiful people like you that make me want to carry on trying to spread more love in the world.
Thank you xx
Long lesson learned…nice piece sister
Jazakallah! You’ve put a smile on my face :) xx
I love it. Amazing story, you’ve inspired me and I’m sure you’ll inspire many more. Keep writing for the right reasons and insha Allah will take you to levels you couldn’t ever imagine.
Jazakallah so much. In sha Allah I do! That is all I want to achieve through my writing, and it means a lot that you think I could do that. May Allah always keep my intentions pure, Ameen, and may He reward you immensely for this, Ameen. Jazakallah xx
This is amazing, Hana!! I really felt something while reading this. I think this story is extremely meaningful and it speaks colossally. Please keep writing!!
Thank you, Ava! You’re such a sweetheart for reading and leaving a comment. I’m so glad you liked it :)
You know it’s been hard at home with everything that’s happened, and it’s mainly my religion – and you guys, my virtual family – that got me through it. I just wanted to share a piece of that.
Thank you! xx
I love this story so Much!! You are such an inspiring person and your words are SOOO OMG amazong!!
Thank you, Katelyn! You always cheer me up, whether it’s with a DM or them quotes we both love so much :)
Let’s hope my DM helpline goes just as well then! xx
This has a sad and inspiring message that really clings at the reader’s heart.?
Thank you, Melanie. The primary aim of it is to make people think, or if they have ever experienced something like this, to can make them feel less alone.
Thank you! xx
I don’t like reading but I definitely enjoyed this! Shows your have talent management ma sha Allah.
Well, thank you for reading it even though you don’t like reading! Jazakallah! xx
This is truly beautiful.
Ma Sha Allah.
Jazakallah, that means a lot. I pray Allah keeps you safe from any harm like that mentioned in the story, Ameen. xx
I loved this! People don’t understand one another and this was eye-opening to what goes on in another person’s life. It was great and left me speechless.