An Islamophobe Attacked Them And They Repelled His Evil With Good - A True Life Story

Ahmed pictured on the left shared the experience of his encounter with an islamophobe while in the company of his friend and mentor Majed pictured on the right who handled the situation in an exemplary manner, read his narration of the encounter as follows: 

"What was supposed to be an ordinary Friday, having woke up to have breakfast and complete my pre-Jumma' prayer rituals. Me and a few of the boys, including Ustadh Majed had made plans to go to Tim Hortons after Jumaa' to grab some coffee. 

Myself and Majed had arrived a bit late and joined the line to order our drinks before settling.

As per routine, we had been patiently waiting in line where we were unanticipatedly met with some rather rash islamophobic and racist comments by an older man who also happened to be in line. We then attempted to reason with the man and ask him why he was hurling these unprovoked comments, and he responded by mocking our questions, and he specifically began to scoff at Majed's voice with a demeaning tone.

At this point my blood began to boil, my face became red, and I was ready to reply to this man in a manner that will inform him of my unwillingness to accept his derogatory remarks. It was at this moment where Majed turned to me and told me to take a deep breathe. He then redirected the conversation and asked the man what he usually drinks for coffee, the man was taken aback, and hesitated at first, but eventually answered. 

Majed then asked him to choose a baked good that he really likes and doesn't usually treat himself with. The man then picked something of his liking, and Majed then stepped to the cash register to pay for both. 

When the order was ready the man took what Majed had ordered for him and sat a table distant from ours. We then sat at our friends' table and carried on as if it were just a regular outing of friends.

After nearly half an hour had passed; the man stood up and approached us and told us how we had made his day, and how he would never forget what we did for him. Within half an hour the man's attitude had completely flipped and it was as if his negative perceptions of us were completely extinguished.

As the man walked away, I had a profound realization, in which I recognized that Majed's humanizing reaction was one which will trigger a lasting positive and transformative impact on that man specifically, and by extension, society as a whole. It was a reaction which not only broke down a wall, but also built a bridge.

Furthermore, if I had reacted to the man's unmerited comments the way I initially intended to, by informing him of their unwarranted nature, which would have been a deserving and completely acceptable reaction, the consequence of doing so would have been the fuelling of the man's animosity towards us, and rather than breaking down that wall between us, it would further solidify it. Majed's response was the prophetic response, as stated by ALLAH, the most high, in the Quran:41: 34:

"Repel evil with that which is best, and thereupon the one whom between you and him is enmity will become a true friend."

I don't say this out of overpraise, I say this with the intention of highlighting the noble characteristics of our teachers so that we may learn from them. This man is more than just a role model to me, he is more than just a mentor, he is an older brother.

May ALLAH keep him steadfast, and continue to raise him in knowledge, wisdom, and influence."

And we say, Ameen to that prayer.