Assalamu'alaikum,
These past few weeks I have been on a spiritual high that has made me content with my life, overall, Alhamdulillah. It has been easier to deal with the difficulties in my life and a kind of calm has replaced the worrying and negative thoughts, Alhamdulillah. Of course, this new found patience was to be tested.
About four days ago, I attended a lecture on good manners and good character in Islam. It was an inspiring and humbling experience. For two hours, I was writing furiously to catch every word in order to capture the beauty of the stories and the lessons. Afterwards, I sat for hours typing up my notes. I searched for each hadith that was mentioned and I found each ayah with the translation. Alhamdullilah, it was a task I truly enjoyed because I was able to take out time to appreciate the ahadith and ayaat on this topic. I wrote back home to all of my friends and family about the organization that gives these amazing lectures and how it has helped me settle into my new life here. I can never put into words what these classes have truly done for me. I thought sending my friends and family these notes would be a great way to show them what I get to experience on a daily basis. I thought it would be a wonderful reminder and a gift of knowledge.
I sent it to all of my friends and family. I usually send out forwards in BCC, in order to make sure I don't share people's e-mail addresses with others. Alhamdulillah, while my husband and I were out to dinner he received an e-mail from his mother. It was in response to my e-mail and was sent to the both of us and read, "Make sure you read it properly yourselves!!!!" That was all she wrote. Since we have moved here about five months ago, she has not responded to one of our e-mails, she has not picked up any of our calls, nor has she ever tried to return the calls. Alhamdulillah. Through these classes, I was able to resolve many issues and the pain that I felt about our strained relationship with her.
Well, my husband gave me an angry glare making me feel as if I had done something to make matters worse between them. Alhamdulillah, he came to his senses and realized his mother misunderstood. She thought I sent the e-mail to her alone...trying to send an indirect message. Subhanallah. Such a simple action meant to do good can be twisted in such a way. I was sorry that she felt the way she did, but I also was shocked that she would think I was that kind of person. I have never done anything to make her think that I could be so disrespectful or rude. My husband saw how upset I was and he asked me to stay out of it. He e-mailed her a short response letting her know I had sent it to everyone and it was a misunderstanding. The next day, I wrote an e-mail out to all of the recipients of the original email, including his mother. I mentioned that I wanted to add where the notes came from, my intentions for sharing them, and why I BCC'd it. It was a general note that I thought would help her see that I sent it out to a bunch of people with the intention of spreading knowledge and as a reminder for us all.
Last night, my husband having just gotten off his flight to his next destination for work....received another e-mail. I guess this one was more aggressive and as he said "nasty"...but of course...he would not share it with me. Surprisingly, she did not include me on this one. I figured he didn't want to make me more upset and emotional by seeing the flowery things his mother must have written about me. All in all, he just told me that she does not believe I sent it to everyone else and he would like me to take a screen shot of my original e-mail to prove my innocence to her. I found it so incredibly childish and disrespectful.
First, she accuses me of sending indirect messages as if I'm an evil human being! Does she not think that I fear Allah (swt)? Does she really think I could be such an awful person...that I would use the lessons from Islam and the words of Allah (swt) in such a way? And now...she is accusing me of being a liar! It upset me that I had to go through such lengths to prove myself.
Nonetheless, I told myself to be patient, I took the screen shot, and sent it to him for it to be sent to his mother. I told him that I would always be kind and gracious to his mother, despite the way she is treating me. However, Allah (swt) knows best my intentions and after this I am done with this conversation. What I did...I did for Allah (swt) and for the reward associated with spreading His (swt) knowledge. I do not have to prove myself to anyone but Allah (swt). I will not subject myself to more disrespect and allow her to make me feel like I have done something wrong. These are her own issues and her own negative thoughts she will have to deal with. I have given her the proof and there is no more that I can do. And with that...I went to bed.
I was initially so upset with what happened, but Alhamdulillah I have come to realize that she has burned many bridges with others in the past. It is not me...it is her. Do you guys think I can do anything else to ease the situation?
These past few weeks I have been on a spiritual high that has made me content with my life, overall, Alhamdulillah. It has been easier to deal with the difficulties in my life and a kind of calm has replaced the worrying and negative thoughts, Alhamdulillah. Of course, this new found patience was to be tested.
About four days ago, I attended a lecture on good manners and good character in Islam. It was an inspiring and humbling experience. For two hours, I was writing furiously to catch every word in order to capture the beauty of the stories and the lessons. Afterwards, I sat for hours typing up my notes. I searched for each hadith that was mentioned and I found each ayah with the translation. Alhamdullilah, it was a task I truly enjoyed because I was able to take out time to appreciate the ahadith and ayaat on this topic. I wrote back home to all of my friends and family about the organization that gives these amazing lectures and how it has helped me settle into my new life here. I can never put into words what these classes have truly done for me. I thought sending my friends and family these notes would be a great way to show them what I get to experience on a daily basis. I thought it would be a wonderful reminder and a gift of knowledge.
I sent it to all of my friends and family. I usually send out forwards in BCC, in order to make sure I don't share people's e-mail addresses with others. Alhamdulillah, while my husband and I were out to dinner he received an e-mail from his mother. It was in response to my e-mail and was sent to the both of us and read, "Make sure you read it properly yourselves!!!!" That was all she wrote. Since we have moved here about five months ago, she has not responded to one of our e-mails, she has not picked up any of our calls, nor has she ever tried to return the calls. Alhamdulillah. Through these classes, I was able to resolve many issues and the pain that I felt about our strained relationship with her.
Well, my husband gave me an angry glare making me feel as if I had done something to make matters worse between them. Alhamdulillah, he came to his senses and realized his mother misunderstood. She thought I sent the e-mail to her alone...trying to send an indirect message. Subhanallah. Such a simple action meant to do good can be twisted in such a way. I was sorry that she felt the way she did, but I also was shocked that she would think I was that kind of person. I have never done anything to make her think that I could be so disrespectful or rude. My husband saw how upset I was and he asked me to stay out of it. He e-mailed her a short response letting her know I had sent it to everyone and it was a misunderstanding. The next day, I wrote an e-mail out to all of the recipients of the original email, including his mother. I mentioned that I wanted to add where the notes came from, my intentions for sharing them, and why I BCC'd it. It was a general note that I thought would help her see that I sent it out to a bunch of people with the intention of spreading knowledge and as a reminder for us all.
Last night, my husband having just gotten off his flight to his next destination for work....received another e-mail. I guess this one was more aggressive and as he said "nasty"...but of course...he would not share it with me. Surprisingly, she did not include me on this one. I figured he didn't want to make me more upset and emotional by seeing the flowery things his mother must have written about me. All in all, he just told me that she does not believe I sent it to everyone else and he would like me to take a screen shot of my original e-mail to prove my innocence to her. I found it so incredibly childish and disrespectful.
First, she accuses me of sending indirect messages as if I'm an evil human being! Does she not think that I fear Allah (swt)? Does she really think I could be such an awful person...that I would use the lessons from Islam and the words of Allah (swt) in such a way? And now...she is accusing me of being a liar! It upset me that I had to go through such lengths to prove myself.
Nonetheless, I told myself to be patient, I took the screen shot, and sent it to him for it to be sent to his mother. I told him that I would always be kind and gracious to his mother, despite the way she is treating me. However, Allah (swt) knows best my intentions and after this I am done with this conversation. What I did...I did for Allah (swt) and for the reward associated with spreading His (swt) knowledge. I do not have to prove myself to anyone but Allah (swt). I will not subject myself to more disrespect and allow her to make me feel like I have done something wrong. These are her own issues and her own negative thoughts she will have to deal with. I have given her the proof and there is no more that I can do. And with that...I went to bed.
I was initially so upset with what happened, but Alhamdulillah I have come to realize that she has burned many bridges with others in the past. It is not me...it is her. Do you guys think I can do anything else to ease the situation?
go see her with the quran and make her swear on it that she thinks you sent it to her alone, that usually scares my husbands family! im sure she will come to her senses then! again be patient, be respectful but if she is causing negative stuff in your life then distance urself from her as it is probably better for the both of you. at the end of the day it is her loss
ReplyDeleteThink of it this way. Allah (swt) has sent down a situation which turns into an opportunity to please Him even more. By displaying your patience, you have gained His pleasure, inshaAllah.
ReplyDeleteThe pleasure of the King of All Kings! SubhanAllah! (:
I think the best thing you can do is to make dua for her. Just keep making dua and never, never hold any sort of grudge or negative emotion towards her, inshaAllah.
She will eventually notice this; a vibe of peace coming off you despite her efforts, and inshaAllah she may change her ways.
May Allah forgive us all.
(: <3 Keep Smiling, Sister
Wow, I am surprised, but I don't know every family. I would make dua for her...I would not swear on the Quran for anyone (except in court where you have to).
ReplyDeleteAllah knows your intentions. When I send a BCC email, I do usually say it is BCCd so that people know where I am coming from.
I say never give her the time of day by stooping to her level.
I think maybe this is your test sister...
Salam alaikum.
Aisha - Thanx for ur comment! It def. put a smile on my face. Alhamdulillah, we are living far from his family and it has been as if the storm has finally settled (until this e-mail).
ReplyDeleteThe Sister Who Smiles - You're absolutely right about du'a and not holding a grudge. I think the most difficult struggle is to let things go...but I am def. working on it. I also mention his mother in every du'a I make. You are right...may Allah (swt) forgive us all.
Salma's Visual Notes - I know it is surprising...but my husband and I are in an inter-racial marriage. He is Lebanese to be specific and I am South Asian. It is unfortunate...but the majority of his community and family were not happy about our marriage and they made it very well known, Alhamdulillah. Yes...you are very right about not stooping to her level. Insha'Allah, I will never allow myself to behave in that manner no matter how they treat me. I did mention it was BCC...but maybe she didn't understand what that meant. I just felt she went too far by accusing us of lying...etc. It is a test and Insha'Allah...I get through it.
Came here from Misha's blog. I read your post with interest; I know few inter-racial marriages and in all of them the inlaws seem to create some type of trouble on either side. Arab mothers-in-law seem to be quite the drama lovers!
ReplyDeleteMashAllah I am impressed with the responses given by your readers, you have such an enlightened readership!
Regards,
Mezba
(Read with Meaning)
http://readwithmeaning.wordpress.com
i wrote a really detailed response to this post but it seems I did not post it correctly.
ReplyDeleteIn any case, I'll reply on your latest post:)