Broken Vase

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

It is amazing what we pick as we listen to a good syarah.

We pick pearls that are closest to us.

The ones that have touched our real life.

Let me explain.

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Shaykh Hamza Yusuf says:

Most exchanges are utilitarian.

We use people and we honour things

If we look at people, observe how carefully they move around things in their house.

For instance: 

People would be careful not to knock the vase in their house. 

But they have no problems bumping other people.

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A long time ago.

I was on transit at the Karachi International Airport.

Went to the Ladies' Room.

I washed my hands and stood in front of the counter mirror to fix something.

A woman came in. A flight crew member.

There were a few other sinks. And long mirror.

She came straight to where I was standing and bumped me off so that she can use the mirror to fix her things.

I was shocked. Then angry. Speechless. Then quietly I left.

I told Husband who was in the waiting area.

Sabr.

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In trying to understand the behaviour of the woman I had these "MAYBE's" as my heuristic tools:

MAYBE she thought I was just a maid. 

We were on PIA flight. In transit I remembered in Dubai I met a few ladies from Indonesia who served in the middle eastern households. 

This woman was a flight crew member so MAYBE she had different perceptions of how people are elevated in this creation.

MAYBE according to her, a flight crew member is more elevated than a household service provider.

MAYBE she had a philosophy of racial differentiation. 

Some natives are created better than others. South Asians are better than South East Asians. Whites are better than coloured and blacks. In look. In status.

MAYBE she had a philosophy of class differentiation.

Some people are low class. 

Some are of high class.

The feelings that one is of the brahmin class is prevalent in any society regardless of their espoused belief.

I was in Jubah. And in Niqab. Probably a low class attire to some.

That was  my heuristics of MAYBEs.

~:~

Yesterday. 

I found myself again with similar experience. With a South Asian during a transaction.

This time it was not physical bumping off. But an attitudinal bumping.

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Alhamdulillah

I have learned to relax. I have learned how to take the bumps and humps. Slowly and steadily.

Just like when we drive over the humps on the road.

Smoothly. Without pain.

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So when Shaykh Hamza Yusuf says:

We USE people and We HONOUR things. It strikes deep into my heart.

May Allah Ta'ala save us from this error. 

Ameen Ya Rabbal 'alameen.

~:~

Broken vases repaired with golden thread.

Compare with how people mend broken relationships.