Image: Copyright © 2009, S. E. Jihad Levine, All Rights ReservedThis morning I went to Best Buy to purchase a laptop battery.
While waiting for the salesperson to help me, I noticed an elderly white gentleman with a hearing aid looking at my hijab. When I smiled at him, he started a conversation. It went something like this:
EWG: "Are you a ... are you an Islamic?"
Me: "Am I a Muslim? Yes, I am."
EWG: "Yes, yes, that's it. A Muslim."
Me: "Are you a Muslim?" (My standard line, lol.)
EWG: "Me? Oh, no. I am a Protestant."
Silence
EWG: "Were you born into that?"
Me: "No. I was born into Judaism."
EWG: "Oh, I was thinking about changing to Judaism. If I was to change, I'd be Jewish."
EWG: "Me? Oh, no. I am a Protestant."
Silence
EWG: "Were you born into that?"
Me: "No. I was born into Judaism."
EWG: "Oh, I was thinking about changing to Judaism. If I was to change, I'd be Jewish."
Me: "Oh."
EWG: "Yes, I love the Jewish people. I pray for them every day. I pray for Israel."
Me: "Yes, they need it."
Silence
Me: "If you're a Protestant and you are considering being Jewish, do you know that Judaism doesn't believe in Jesus?"
Me: "Yes, they need it."
Silence
Me: "If you're a Protestant and you are considering being Jewish, do you know that Judaism doesn't believe in Jesus?"
EWG: "Really?"
Me: "Yes. Christians and Muslims believe in Jesus, but Jews do not."
EWG: "Well, you Muslims - you worship Allah, right?"
Me: "Yes, the same God as you worship. Allah."
EWG: "The same as I worship? Ohhhh, nooooo, that's not what I read."
Me: "Oh yes, He is the same! Allah is simply the Arab name for God. The Arab Christians call Him Allah, too."
EWG stands there looking totally confused.
Me: "Well, it's a special day for you. You have the opportunity to actually talk to a Muslim to find out what we really believe."
Salesperson returns and conversation ends.
I really need to start carrying dawah pamphlets.
Me: "Oh yes, He is the same! Allah is simply the Arab name for God. The Arab Christians call Him Allah, too."
EWG stands there looking totally confused.
Me: "Well, it's a special day for you. You have the opportunity to actually talk to a Muslim to find out what we really believe."
Salesperson returns and conversation ends.
I really need to start carrying dawah pamphlets.
10 comments:
Assalamu alaykum! Isnt it nice when someone holds a civil yet curious dialog with you? Its hapened to me a few times. Once I even had a book in my car "Idiots Guide to Understanding Islam" by Yahiya Emerick. (i hate the idiot part, but its a very good book).
We keep a copy at home at all times, as we give them away frequently.
Hugs,
iMuslimah
Assalamualaikum sis! Ermm ... I wonder the things that are going through the gentleman's mind after that little talk ... :)
That is so cool! I wish I had the grace to talk to people in such a manner.
Love it mashallah, I admire the way you answered his questions, especially by telling him that Arab Christians also call God by Allah, since it's simply the Arabic word for God. Jazakillah khayr for sharing sister!
Salams
Well, he tried and hopefully will look into it a bit more... unlike my Church of England Dawa' friend:
She: So, muslims do believe in Jesus Christ
Me: Yes, he is one of the prophets of God.
She: So, if you believe in Jesus Christ why are you not a Christian and be saved?!
(Jesus wept!)
Asalamu Walaikum Sis,
I don't know where folks get that idea about different Gods? I hear it all the time, as well as that Islam is a "new" religion, even though we accept all the prophets all the way back to Adam. Hmm. I'm totally gonna use that "Are you Muslim" line! Inshallah.
I thought about pamphlets, but I just don't like 'em. So I was going to make little business-sized cards with websites on them--course that may not work for EWGs.
Love and Peace--and I forgat all about the package til yesterday! So, inshallah, I'll get it out this week.
As Salam O Alaikum Wa Rehmatulahi Wa Barakatuhu
Its nice to see, you preach as soon as you get the opportunity of and that too in such a simple and easy manner.
May Allah guide that gentleman to the truth.
May Allah help us to represent and preach Islam in the best manner.
Assalam-alaikam Sis Safiyyah,
I loved your last line there, might remember that.
I love it when people ask questions, it's better to enquire and be informed than hate from a distance because of misinformation.
Aside from this the questions are hilarious:
Do you wear a scarf because you're married?
Do their husbands make them wear niqab?
Do you wear it in bed/the shower
What does your hair look like?
Did you have an arranged marriage?
...ad infinitum
Saloamun'alaikum,
have a nice day..
Business Consultancy?
Asalam alaykum,
wow, thats great! Good quick answers, mashallah he will do proper research into islam.
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