I feel the right foot press against my right, followed by the left, then the left leads out the door as I am aware of a prayer silently mouthed.
O Allah, I take refuge with You lest I should stray or be led stray, or slip or be tripped, or oppressed, or behave foolishly or be treated foolishly. I believe in Allah and I have come under the protection of Allah, and I have placed my trust in Allah, and there is no might and there is no power except that given by Allah. With a series of SubhanAllah SubhanAllah SubhanAllah as I cautiously proceed down the stairs.
A bag of household rubbish accompanies us, to be thrown in the messy corner opposite the building. But wait…I sense a shuffling step as the metal gate closes …. a small boy approaches. He is saying he will take the rubbish to the bin.
There will be nothing heavier on the Scale than good conduct.
May this small action of this small boy gain huge rewards Ameen. I have never witnessed such a thing in all my journeying here. An audible SubhanAllah and JazakumuLlahu khairan to the small boy as I am lifted into in the car to travel the short distance to the smooth marble of the courtyard. One of my favoured surfaces. I tend to slide as if on ice. My rubber soles become a rhythmic dance of silence as I glide to be facing the Green Dome. Other times resting at the base of a nearby pillar. More audible mumbling of name after name after name and the not unusual tear dropping on my dusty leather strap.
Today we travel near the fence of Baqi, haltering steps alternate with prolonged stops, before moving along the narrow walkway to where I see hundreds of amazing different styles of footwear tossed here and there. I am placed in the old cotton bag that once was black, but now a faded grey, next to two pairs of Converse shoes…or are they boots? The feet I carry everywhere used to wear these exact shoes decades ago. So many laces dangle around them, one pair has a fancy colourful lining. Such fiddling they must experience being put on and taken off with all those laces. Two young ones smile when they see me…I hear a light hearted and giggly conversation about how trendy and fashionable they are, Khala you should get some! So many styles are in the best shops in Jeddah! I am content to shyly hide in my bag and more than happy that I am not shared with any others. A sense of responsibility for safe and comfortable walking adds to the feeling that I am loved as I am.
I remember the time we were visiting a lavish mansion. I was surprised to see such glittery styles by the door, some with heels as high as I am long, skinny like a pencil. Some looking like Cinderella’s glass slippers, dainty beads and patterns sparkling in the sunshine. I was left among this array feeling a little embarrassed. Soon I was picked up and taken to a stuffy dark cupboard. Hours later I could hear sounds expressing surprise with shades of grief as shuffling feet approached this confined space I had been locked in. Hands grabbed me and placed me on the tiled ground. Young girls chuckling…but Khala, they look like they belong to the maid, so we took them away from the other visitor’s shoes. The drive home that evening was constant talk about simplicity, contentment, necessity, desire and excess. I overhear so many tales and lessons.
Another time I was placed just inside the door of another house. Girls were present with their mother, to later be joined by a young boy. As he entered the house I heard a shocked gasp…he went running to his mother yelling, asking who the man was inside the house with her! He thought I belonged to a man. People here do not know how famous my name is, nor my origin, my siblings or just how comfortable my moulded inner is, or even how expensive I am. Looks certainly are deceiving.
Just yesterday while walking home from the shiny marbled courtyard I stepped down from the pavement to wait for cars to pass before crossing the busy road. I sensed lights flashing, (if my buckles were shiny there would have been a glint, but I am happy to carry dusty layers from the Mubarak earth here) to soon realize that this kind driver was stopping for us to cross. SubhanAllah, another gesture of sincere Ikram.
Undoubtedly amongst you the most beloved and nearest to me on the Day of resurrection will be those having the most excellent conduct.
The tempo of the walk home was one of elation and gratitude. Amazing how such small acts affect ones step, along with repetitive sounds of glorification.
Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar as I climbed, knowing that this outing was about to end.
All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen.
A fascinating tale indeed !!!jazakiallah khairen katheer
an. ….reading the line”more audible mumbling of name after name
name after name………”somehow made me cry,was wondering
whether my name was among those……
Comment by saimah — May 6, 2008 @ 10:36 am
Asalamualaikum,
Enjoyed this one a lot
Jazakallah
wasalam
Comment by Asiyah — May 6, 2008 @ 2:06 pm
Assalamu alaikum,
Really beautiful,eleqouently written in true dear Aunty
Nstyle.Strangely this made me feel a little sad as well.
Jazakallahu Khairan.
Wassalam and luv,
Maryam
Comment by maryam — May 6, 2008 @ 2:18 pm
Assalam Alaikum Dear Sister AlMiskeenah!
} am I right?
JazakAllahu for sharing such beautifull post, indeed how comfort we achieve by wearing in our feet and protects us from rubble of tiny stones mixed in with sand, rain and hot or cold surface of this earth, so sad we treat them like trash. JazakAllahu khair for making us realize the importants, without this we wouldn’t be able to walk further or reach our destination. {I am guessing the size of Birkenstock is between 7 1/2 and 8
Please remember us in your humble dua’s and convey our Salaam to our beloved Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.
Comment by Umm-e-Shiraaz — May 6, 2008 @ 3:55 pm
slmz
this one really made me think, especially since i love shoes! may Allah grant us the ability to bring
simplicity into our lives!
how the heart yearns to be in madinah shareef.. make dua that Allah creates the means for us to be there
in the near future insha”Allah..
shukran sister for ur wonderful words may Allah reward u with the best of both worlds,Ameen
please remember us in ur duas & at the raudah of nabi SAWS if possible
was salaam
Comment by sister in islam, south africa — May 6, 2008 @ 10:31 pm
Wa ‘alaikumus Salam Dear Sister Saimah, indeed you and yours are among those!
and be content with simple things. Birkenstock use a different sizing system, so I am not sure, plus they even measure the width of the foot and have many variables in the one size.
Alhumdulillah to see you after some time Dear Asiyah…you probably remember the time I visited with these very same sandals when they were brand new, and me worrying if they would be taken from the front of the house
Why did it make you feel sad Dear Maryam? I felt only happiness with the gestures of the small boy and the driver, maybe the attitude to these humble sandals by some?
I guess we all take many things for granted Dear Umm-e-Shiraaz, and need constant reminders to bring our nafs in line
Dear Sister in Islam, Ameen to the simplicity Du’a and may your yearning bring you here, Ameen.
I have just returned from Haram, but did not go to Rowdha, it is getting very difficult to get to the actual Rowdha these days, plus best I leave room for those who are here for a short time. I tend to sit under the inside umbrellas when the crowds are intense, but tonight I conveyed Salam from you all and made Du’a at the Green Dome.
See next post for the photo.
Wassalamu alaikum
Comment by almiskeenah — May 6, 2008 @ 11:10 pm