This morning something pleasant happened to me. I visited my eye doctor to collect my glasses and went through a very interesting encounter. My eye doctor engaged me in a serious discussion on the issue of religion. She was particularly impressed by something about me that made her impression of, her attitude and thinking about Muslims change. She asked me if Muslims believed in Hell and Paradise. I said, we did. She said, meeting me had made her realise that there are some Muslims that MAY go to Paradise. I asked her to explain. She was incoherent, seeing that she was really unable to specify the exact thing about me that changed her thinking about Muslims. May be if I explained the events leading to this morning, I may succeed in conveying my astonishment and pleasant surprise.
I started wearing prescription glasses in 2003. My first set was the only one I picked after a thorough medical examination. So, when the eye started trouble, I had to go and see an eye doctor. I walked into this private clinic and there she was! She examined me and made her prescription. She charged me and showed me a number of frames. I opted for a nondescript piece and made a comment to the effect that I was not interested in a frame for show. As I left the clinic that first day, she asked me my 'denomination' but before I answered, I noticed her hesitation and then she asked if I was a Muslim or a Christan. I said am a Muslim. End of discussion.
The cost of the replacement glasses was something I could afford to pay in two installments. So, after a few days, I was able to make the first installment. She said they were expecting me, and we joked about the possibility of my failing to show up after the examination. I was to return after three days, but I said I may not be able to do so unless I raised the balance. I failed to show up. A week after, I raised the balance, and this morning, I walked back into the eye clinic. I noticed she was reading her bible.
By this time, you expect I would know her name. I still don't know. Today I confirm she is a qualified eye doctor not just a technician. Her interest in me was wonderful. She told me that since she saw me and observed my actions, she told herself I must be a 'good' Muslim. She asked me why Muslims kill other people. She also asked if I believed in Jesus Christ. I told her Muslims do not kill people, but politicians who are Muslims may have political reasons to kill - as in the Twin Towers - but no Muslim kills as a religious belief. I said all Muslims believe in Isa (named Jesus Christ) as an article of faith. I told her any Muslim who does not believe in Jesus Christ is not a Muslim. She said I acted like a Christian. I said I was acting CHRIST-LIKE but I am not a Christan. All Muslims are Christ-like because they submit totally to the will of Allah (arabic name of the Creator of the Universe).
Yes, I told this Christan eye doctor that I am Christ-like, but not a Christian. She agreed I showed something that made her think that some Muslims MAY go to Paradise (after those who call themselves Christian?) because she never believed Muslims were good. She said I changed her thinking in this direction. So, I must live my life the way I do - so that it continues to change people's thinking about Muslims and Islam.
