“Why don’t you wear a hijab? How will people know that you are a Muslim?” This woman berated me with these types of questions after learning of my first name and asking me whether I was a Muslim. All I wanted to do was pay for my coffee.

I was baffled and grew more impatient as she continued to warn me of the men that will attempt to rape me because I did not cover my head. I have my own personal views on this topic and modesty in general that I will not discuss now.

What I want to focus on is people’s obsession in looking or seeming like a Muslim. It is much easier to put on a hijab or dress and look like a Muslim. It is, however, much harder to think and feel like a Muslim. This is something that requires constant concentration, unlike a piece of cloth you place on your head. To not lie, to not gossip, to not judge others and to refrain from “playing-God” to others is something I wish people would focus on more.

I work so tirelessly it seems with as much vigor as I can gather to seek God’s guidance in my daily life and in every moment. My efforts are always focused on being a better person, a just person, a patient person and a compassionate person. After Islam, it is much easier. The Quran, turned out to be the manual I desperately sought as I devoured self-help books and consumed well-being articles. Even today and all the time, I still seek more and more knowledge and try and try to live according to the rules because I want to be a good Muslim for God and not for anyone else.

I think you get it, I definitely did not appreciate this woman, working for a casino in Vegas (where most of her income is probably derived from gambling – a big no-no in Islam) discounting all the progress I had made in my religion, all because she didn’t think I LOOKED like a Muslim. I tried to explain to her that she can’t possibly know of my struggle as a Muslim and so she has no right to judge me. But of course, she wanted to save me from the Hellfire, I would argue that she do that for herself. And that goes for anyone trying to judge other people’s outward appearance and life choices in criticizing and trying to configure their spiritual progress.

Allah knows best.

Stay blessed xoxo